Five years before Oklahoma statehood, Broken Arrow wasn't too impressive. In fact, the village was described as being little more than a patch of blue sky under which a few tents had been stretched; however, it was being called home by what is now the oldest hometown bank in Tulsa County.
Opened in 1902, and known originally as Traders and Planters Bank, the institution was chartered as the First National Bank on January 29, 1904. Among the original incorporators were F. S. Hurd, its founder, and Kansas Senator Charles Curtis, a native Cherokee who would later serve as Vice President of the United States in the Herbert Hoover administration.
Since those early days, the strength of First National Bank has come from two cornerstones. The first is an uptown style that is reflected in the thoroughly professional approach the bank emulates in all aspects of its work. The other is the down-home style that allows these products and services to be delivered with warmth that makes every customer feel right at home. Both are illustrated in more than a century's worth of performance.
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1902 - 1910| First National went through three remodeling periods to keep pace with the rapid growth of Broken Arrow. In 1902, the first building was acquired from the Arkansas Valley Townsite Company while the bank building was being constructed at its present location.
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1905 |Broken Arrow celebrates its third anniversary on October 16, 1905. Main Street was overflowing with people who came to celebrate in their best attire.
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The 1920’s décor featured ornate teller cages, marble trim and stamped copper ceilings giving an uptown feel to the growing downtown.
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In 1941, A.L. Graham succeeded F.S. Hurd as President of First National Bank, and later became Chairman of the Board. Graham came to Broken Arrow as a rancher with an experienced background in insurance, banking and finance.
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1941 | Scott L. Graham riding into town to visit his father A.L. Graham
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In 1959, a renovation of the bank was completed with trendy mid-century design elements. Some of the notable features included terrazzo flooring (which has been restored once again in the south portion of the bank) and blue and turquoise metal panels above the windows. Travertine tile was installed below the windows as well as an Art Deco inspired clock and lettering on the face of the building. A large mural was also added in the lobby of the Main Bank. Painted by Broken Arrow artist S. Letha Nichols, the image portrays a panoramic view of the countryside surrounding Broken Arrow.
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1963 | Scott L. Graham joined the bank in 1963 following graduation from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and served as the bank’s Chairman from 1966 until 2013. Scott believed that banking’s “real value is that it leverages your ability to achieve a greater good for the community”.
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Split arrowhead door handles, an iconic exterior arrowhead clock along with the updated logo graced the bank in the 1970’s.
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The bank's Board of Directors during the 1970's.
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1980 | Renovation was completed designed by renowned local architect Frank Wallace.
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2002 | Celebrating the Bank’s centennial with a new logo.
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2006 | Gregory S. Graham joined the bank and began serving as Chairman of the Board in 2012. The Graham family, now in its third generation of bank leadership, has remained a steadfast community supporter.
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In 2016, the Bank underwent a comprehensive remodel, blending modern amenities with its traditional charm. The remodel highlighted our in-house history museum, which showcases the rich heritage of our community and the bank's long-standing legacy. Also showcased inside the Bank is the Medal of Honor awarded to Lt. Col. Ernest Childers in April 1944.
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1902 - 1910| First National went through three remodeling periods to keep pace with the rapid growth of Broken Arrow. In 1902, the first building was acquired from the Arkansas Valley Townsite Company while the bank building was being constructed at its present location.
-
1905 |Broken Arrow celebrates its third anniversary on October 16, 1905. Main Street was overflowing with people who came to celebrate in their best attire.
-
The 1920’s décor featured ornate teller cages, marble trim and stamped copper ceilings giving an uptown feel to the growing downtown.
-
In 1941, A.L. Graham succeeded F.S. Hurd as President of First National Bank, and later became Chairman of the Board. Graham came to Broken Arrow as a rancher with an experienced background in insurance, banking and finance.
-
1941 | Scott L. Graham riding into town to visit his father A.L. Graham
-
In 1959, a renovation of the bank was completed with trendy mid-century design elements. Some of the notable features included terrazzo flooring (which has been restored once again in the south portion of the bank) and blue and turquoise metal panels above the windows. Travertine tile was installed below the windows as well as an Art Deco inspired clock and lettering on the face of the building. A large mural was also added in the lobby of the Main Bank. Painted by Broken Arrow artist S. Letha Nichols, the image portrays a panoramic view of the countryside surrounding Broken Arrow.
-
1963 | Scott L. Graham joined the bank in 1963 following graduation from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and served as the bank’s Chairman from 1966 until 2013. Scott believed that banking’s “real value is that it leverages your ability to achieve a greater good for the community”.
-
Split arrowhead door handles, an iconic exterior arrowhead clock along with the updated logo graced the bank in the 1970’s.
-
The bank's Board of Directors during the 1970's.
-
1980 | Renovation was completed designed by renowned local architect Frank Wallace.
-
2002 | Celebrating the Bank’s centennial with a new logo.
-
2006 | Gregory S. Graham joined the bank and began serving as Chairman of the Board in 2012. The Graham family, now in its third generation of bank leadership, has remained a steadfast community supporter.
-
In 2016, the Bank underwent a comprehensive remodel, blending modern amenities with its traditional charm. The remodel highlighted our in-house history museum, which showcases the rich heritage of our community and the bank's long-standing legacy. Also showcased inside the Bank is the Medal of Honor awarded to Lt. Col. Ernest Childers in April 1944.