Looking Back: ​ Sni-A-Bar Bank, Downtown Grain Valley

While I often refer to the Bank of Grain Valley, established in 1905, as the oldest continual business in downtown, it was not the only bank in Grain Valley. The Sni-A-Bar Banking Company existed for just over ten years.

The bank was owned by William Hall and David Herrington. While I am still waiting for the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds to re-open the historical records division, I believe the bank was built around 1913-1915. It was located on the west side of Main Street on Lot 5 of the Graves & Ashcroft Addition.

From my research, I believe that Williams was mainly an investor in the bank and Herrington was more involved in the day-to-day operation. The bank closed in 1926.  While I have read many stories about the bank, I am unsure as to why it closed. While I believe it was in financial stress due to bad loans that were made, leading up to the Great Depression, I also know that David Herrington (my great, great uncle) died in 1926. I have found some legal documents dealing with lawsuits against the bank for default on bonds extended to the Grain Valley Schools after the 1925 fire.

Regardless of the cause, this beautiful bank closed.  The one-time stately structure was allowed to deteriorate and was finally raised in the early 1970s. When I was growing up it was sometimes occupied by apartments on the upper floor.

Many old-timers will remember Claude Batman’s barber shop located upstairs on the right. When Mr. Batman wasn’t cutting hair, he could be found up front at his easel benefiting from the light shining in the large window. (One of his oil paintings hangs in the Historical Society Building.) On the left side of the building steps lead downstairs. There was a beauty shop there during the 1950s.

Can you only imagine the impact this beautiful building would bring to Main Street if it were still here today!

The Sni-A-Bar Banking Company
Come to the Grain Valley Historical Society to see a small safety deposit box and other artifacts from the bank, including this check written by H.O. Tate in 1925. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society