Bloomburg State Bank / Small Town Banks Statewide

Jul 1

*The Bloomburg State Bank represents the threat faced by small town banks statewide*

The three-story Bloomburg State Bank building in Cass County was constructed in 1918. In its heyday, the bank served customers in counties across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Over the years, the building also housed Bloomburg’s telephone office and a Masonic lodge, making it a vital hub of community life.

In 1968, the building’s owner donated it to the City of Bloomburg. However, over time, the City came to view the structure as a liability and made plans to demolish it. In response, a group of concerned citizens stepped in and purchased the building for just $1.00 to save it from destruction. Despite their efforts, the building has stood vacant since the early 1980s and continues to deteriorate.

Historic bank buildings are architecturally and culturally significant landmarks because they are often located in the center of town and represent the economic promise of a prosperous community long ago. In the mid-20th century, suburbanization and the demand for drive-through banking led many banks to abandon their historic buildings. Stripped of their purpose and their prideful place in the community, vacated historic banks like this one in Bloomberg often become the victims of neglect.