Bank of Bigheart
| Company type | Financial institution (defunct) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Defunct | 1930s |
| Headquarters | Barnsdall (formerly Bigheart), Oklahoma , United States |
| Products | Banking services |
The Bank of Bigheart was a financial entity situated in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, notable for its historic commercial edifice located at 308 W. Main St. in Barnsdall.
This institution is among four small-scale banks erected in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style within Osage County, Oklahoma during the period from 1904 to 1911, coinciding with the county's oil boom. The other three banks are the Bank of Hominy, Bank of Burbank, and Osage Bank of Fairfax.
Originally established in the community known as Bigheart (which was renamed Barnsdall in 1922), the bank conducted its operations from the structure built in 1911 until it ceased functioning amid the Great Depression in the 1930s. In 1984, this building was entered into the National Register of Historic Places and was recognized as Barnsdall’s oldest remaining commercial building at that time.
Construction
This two-story commercial structure measures roughly and is constructed from locally sourced sandstone, featuring a coursed ashlar finish. It has a flat roof bordered by a parapet approximately high on all sides except the rear.
As a later example of Richardsonian Romanesque design, it showcases signature large arched windows on the ground floor and smaller, deeply recessed ribbon-style windows with flat tops on the upper level. The roofline is adorned with crenellations characteristic of this architectural genre.
Operating history
Initially, the Bank of Bigheart occupied the first floor; it was renamed Barnsdall State Bank in 1925 and remained there until moving to the current American Heritage Bank premises in 1976. Following the bank's relocation, the space accommodated various enterprises such as a drugstore and tavern. The second floor, originally designated for professional offices, continued to be used through the 1980s but has since remained unoccupied.
Additional occupants have included municipal functions for Barnsdall (serving as city hall and library), along with fraternal organizations like the International Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) and their auxiliary group, the Rebekah Lodge. By 2014, two retail shops operated on the ground floor: Twig and Berries, a florist, and The Hen House, which offered artisanal products and fresh eggs. That year, owner Cliff Taylor commenced renovation efforts by replacing all second-story windows.
Listing
The building holds a place on the National Register due to its status as Barnsdall’s oldest extant commercial structure (formerly Bigheart), its role as one of Osage County’s four earliest bank buildings, and its exemplary representation of Richardsonian Romanesque commercial architecture within the county.
Positioned at the northwest corner of W. Main St. and 5th St. along Oklahoma State Highway 11, it adjoins another two-story commercial property to its east. As of 2023, while appearing occupied, it does not display active retail signage or usage.
Currently, banking services for Barnsdall residents are provided by American Heritage Bank located at 400 W. Main St., situated at the eastern end of the same block.