Peoples Bank moved into this building in 1906. It is now a title company.

Peoples Bank moved into this building on the corner of Smith and Washington in 1906. It is now a title company and sits on Route 66.

Update: Today, June 24, 2011: As Peoples Bank is having a celebration of its 110 Anniversay with refreshments and prizes, we thought that we would repost this previous blog entry featuring our hometown bank. You may not know it, but Peoples probably had the 1st bowling alley in Cuba. Yes, a bowling alley. Read about it here. And happy anniversary Peoples.

Yes, it’s true.  At one time Peoples Bank of Cuba, Missouri put a bowling alley in the rear of the bank. In 1911, The Cuba Review reported that the room would be fitted up with a stove and made comfortable. It was mentioned that the ladies could take exercise in the entertaining sport. There was a bowling alley in the bank–in 1911.

At this time and earlier, certain rooms in town were outfitted so that the farm wives and their small children would have a place to relax while their husbands were in town on business.

Who thought of the bowling alley concept and how it was implemented is lost to history.  However, it was in the building above that now holds a title company. Peoples Bank moved into this building in 1906. The Masons had a lodge in the upstairs, and their insignia can be seen on the second story of the building in the photo above.

The window of the above photo looks like there was a clock on the window, which looks rather modern. At one time, the Post Office shared the bank building.

Maybe the gentlemen above were waiting for their wives to finish bowling so that they could return home.

I asked the present  Chairman of Peoples Bank Mr. Jim Barnett if he had given any consideration to installing another bowling alley in the bank as an entertainment for his customers. He said he would take it under advisement.

Vera Cantley compiled the information from the 1911 Cuba Review in her Cuba Free Press column “Recalling the Past,” which is informative and entertaining.

This 1886 building has been restored and houses the Crawford County Title Company. Its distinctive corner entrance can be seen in the A.J. Barnett Model T mural.

This 1886 building has been restored and houses the Crawford County Title Company and sits on Rt. 66. Its distinctive corner entrance can be seen in the A.J. Barnett/Model T mural.

Notice the corner entrance pn this buildiing. A.J. Barnett owned the first Model T in Cuba and was the first cashier of Peoples Bank. He was also a mayor and active in civic activities.

Notice the corner entrance on the building. A.J. Barnett owned the first Model T in Cuba and was the first cashier of Peoples Bank. He was also a mayor and active in civic activities.