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Bank of Avilla

205 Greenfield St., Avilla, MO
Phone:

East < GO > West

The future Bank of Avilla was announced in 2014 and it opened in this newly constructed building in 1915. The bank was robbed twice, once in 1920 and again in 1932. The first robber didn't get more than a few miles before getting caught. The second time the banker was also kidnapped when the robber(s) made their getaway. In both cases the robbers were caught and the banker was unhurt.

After the second robbery the banker reportedly got himself a pistol which he kept handy, and maybe quite visible. Legend has it that when the infamous bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde where nearby Clyde dropped in for a visit (casing the bank?) saw the pistol, tipped his hat greeted the banker and turned and left and never returned, but that's just legend.

After surviving the great depression of the 1930s, when thousands of other banks failed, this little bank closed in the mid-1940s the building sat empty for a few years before the post office moved in 1952. It's one block north of Route 66 at 205 Greenfield St. (intersection of Greenfield & Lamar Streets). The 1915 date is inscribed in the peak above the entrance and the U.S. Post Office sign. That sign has been attached to the old surface which makes me wonder if the bank name is still there hiding behind the Post Office sign.

Apparently was a back door that has since been boarded up as has one window. The west side of the building is just a blank wall like you would expect to find in a row of commercial buildings. That makes me wonder if there might have been another building attached, or at least planned for, on the west side.

Photo(s): 2012 , 2013