115 W. Central - One of the first records of this property shows it being transferred to James J. Anderson in 1840 in a warranty deed for the cost of $100. Apparently there once stood a framed house on this property. Dave Peel, who passed in 1979, remembered a house here before the bank was built.
In 1848, James W. Clarke petitioned the court subsequent to Anderson's death, intestate, to recognize a verbal contract Anderson had made with him that year to buy lots 119 and 120. The county found in favor of Clarke and assessed court costs against Anderson's estate.
Clarke's heirs were in litigation several times over the property regarding nonpayment of taxes until 1894 when the title was transferred to James Haney whose heirs sold it to Benton County National Bank in February 1908. The original construction cost for the Benton County National Bank was $5700. Lon Pace, who was also a stockholder, constructed the building. This elegant structure was designed by the prominent regional architect Albert O. "A.O." Clark. The building was done in a Roman Temple style. The front of the building has three tall round-arch openings and is supported by four pink marble columns which were purchased in Carthage, Mo. and which are topped with modified Corinthian caps. There is a colorful sunburst tile design in the floor, and much of the original interior woodwork still exists.
The bank merged with First National Bank in July of 1930. Benton County National Bank closed in December 1930 after the U.S. Treasury department declared the bank insolvent and named F. W. Wetzel as receiver. This building sat empty for several years while trying to settle the bank's affairs. During this time someone was using the building as a shooting gallery. On July 3, 1934, the building was sold to the city of Bentonville according to abstract records. This location has since been used as City Hall and offices, the city library, and for municipal court and city council meetings.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1983.
In 1848, James W. Clarke petitioned the court subsequent to Anderson's death, intestate, to recognize a verbal contract Anderson had made with him that year to buy lots 119 and 120. The county found in favor of Clarke and assessed court costs against Anderson's estate.
Clarke's heirs were in litigation several times over the property regarding nonpayment of taxes until 1894 when the title was transferred to James Haney whose heirs sold it to Benton County National Bank in February 1908. The original construction cost for the Benton County National Bank was $5700. Lon Pace, who was also a stockholder, constructed the building. This elegant structure was designed by the prominent regional architect Albert O. "A.O." Clark. The building was done in a Roman Temple style. The front of the building has three tall round-arch openings and is supported by four pink marble columns which were purchased in Carthage, Mo. and which are topped with modified Corinthian caps. There is a colorful sunburst tile design in the floor, and much of the original interior woodwork still exists.
The bank merged with First National Bank in July of 1930. Benton County National Bank closed in December 1930 after the U.S. Treasury department declared the bank insolvent and named F. W. Wetzel as receiver. This building sat empty for several years while trying to settle the bank's affairs. During this time someone was using the building as a shooting gallery. On July 3, 1934, the building was sold to the city of Bentonville according to abstract records. This location has since been used as City Hall and offices, the city library, and for municipal court and city council meetings.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1983.
|
|
See also: