Peoples Bank Mural, Cuba, MO
Peoples Bank Mural, 506 West Washington Street, Cuba, Missouri. The artist is Michelle Loughery. A.J. (Alva James) Barnett was picked as a subject for this mural, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of People’s Bank in 2001. Barnett, the first cashier and president of Peoples Bank 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. A.J. Barnett owned not only the first Model T in Cuba, but also a Model T distributorship in Cuba.
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.
The building in the mural was the site of the bank in the early 1900s. It is the large blue building where attorney Steve Paulus is now located. An earlier bank behind the Hayes Shoe store burned.
Peoples Bank Mural, Cuba, MO
Peoples Bank Mural, 506 West Washington Street, Cuba, Missouri. The artist is Michelle Loughery. A.J. (Alva James) Barnett was picked as a subject for this mural, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of People’s Bank in 2001. Barnett, the first cashier and president of Peoples Bank 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. A.J. Barnett owned not only the first Model T in Cuba, but also a Model T distributorship in Cuba.
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.
The building in the mural was the site of the bank in the early 1900s. It is the large blue building where attorney Steve Paulus is now located. An earlier bank behind the Hayes Shoe store burned.