Wall mural "People’s Bank" @ Cuba, Missouri
Artist: Michelle Loughery, assisted by Michelle's daughter and Shelly Smith Steiger. This was artist Steiger’s first experience with outdoor murals.
A.J. (Alva James) Barnett, the first cashier of Peoples Bank, was appropriately picked as a subject for the first mural, which was meant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of People’s Bank in 2001. This mural would be the first in Viva Cuba’s mural project.
Barnett, the first cashier and president of Peoples Bank for 39 years from 1920 to 1959, was also mayor of Cuba for ten years. The first city lighting system was installed during his first term in 1922. The mural shows him cranking the first Model T Ford in Cuba. In the car, left to right are friends Katie Hunter, Billy Jackson, and A.J.’s children James and Mildred Barnett. James Barnett is the father of Jim Barnett, the present chairman of Peoples Bank.
Although Barnett was a frugal man, he would often take money out of his pocket to loan to people. An indication of his frugality was the navy blue suit that he wore every day until the material was shiny.
A.J. Barnett owned not only the first Model T in Cuba, but also a Model T distributorship in Cuba. (Viva Cuba Murals)
Wall mural "People’s Bank" @ Cuba, Missouri
Artist: Michelle Loughery, assisted by Michelle's daughter and Shelly Smith Steiger. This was artist Steiger’s first experience with outdoor murals.
A.J. (Alva James) Barnett, the first cashier of Peoples Bank, was appropriately picked as a subject for the first mural, which was meant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of People’s Bank in 2001. This mural would be the first in Viva Cuba’s mural project.
Barnett, the first cashier and president of Peoples Bank for 39 years from 1920 to 1959, was also mayor of Cuba for ten years. The first city lighting system was installed during his first term in 1922. The mural shows him cranking the first Model T Ford in Cuba. In the car, left to right are friends Katie Hunter, Billy Jackson, and A.J.’s children James and Mildred Barnett. James Barnett is the father of Jim Barnett, the present chairman of Peoples Bank.
Although Barnett was a frugal man, he would often take money out of his pocket to loan to people. An indication of his frugality was the navy blue suit that he wore every day until the material was shiny.
A.J. Barnett owned not only the first Model T in Cuba, but also a Model T distributorship in Cuba. (Viva Cuba Murals)