Home National Bank

126 South Summit Street

On June 14, 1917, Home National Bank dedicated its new $100,000 building on the northeast corner of Summit Street and Fifth Avenue.

That afternoon and evening, the bank’s president, Albert Denton, and his staff received hundreds of visitors and guided them through the two-story bank.

Spotlights illuminated the building and the Arkansas City High School orchestra provided music.

Congratulatory telegrams came from banks and individuals from throughout the U.S. and Canada.

One of those messages was from F.M. Strong, of Beloit, Wisconsin, a former Arkansas City resident and the first president of the bank. Strong, Howard Ross and A.A. Newman founded the bank as The Strong & Ross Banking Co. in 1888.

By 1891, it was housed in a former brick building at the Summit Street and Fifth Avenue site.

The name of the business changed to Home National Bank when a national charter was obtained in December 1890.

Construction of the  new, Neoclassical Revival-style building started in June 1916.

The Ashlar stone structure with a tall granite base has Greek Doric columns along the principal façades, a vault façade, and a parapet wall with 20th Century Baroque balusters, triglyphs and block medallions.

The bank continued to operate successfully for many decades.

In addition to the bank on the main floor, the building also housed professional offices on the second floor, including those of lawyers, doctors, dentists, accountants, and insurance and oil company representatives, into the early 1960s.

Home National Bank closed in July 2010, when it was acquired by RCB Bank.