National Bank of Rolla Building

The National Bank of Rolla Building is a historic commercial building at the intersection of 8th and Pine Streets in downtown Rolla, Missouri. Opened in March 1931, it was designed to combine a prominent banking facility with a substantial hotel serving travelers, business visitors, railroad passengers, and users of U.S. Route 66. Its location placed it at the center of Rolla's commercial activity during an important period in the development of the Ozarks and the national highway system. The building originally accommodated the National Bank of Rolla on the northwest corner of the first floor. The bank, whose institutional history dated to the 1870s, shared the structure with the Edwin Long Hotel. The hotel occupied most of the building and contained 75 guest rooms, while its Edwin Long Coffee Shop provided daily dining. A basement banquet facility known as the College Inn could accommodate approximately 350 people, making the property useful not only as a place to stay but also as a venue for civic, business, and social events. Advertised room rates in the early 1930s were two dollars for a single room and three dollars for a double room; rooms included tub showers and radiant heat. The building's fortunes were closely tied to transportation. U.S. Route 66 ran through Rolla along 8th Street, and the Edwin Long Hotel became a leading lodging facility for highway travelers. The nearby Frisco Railroad also brought passengers to the city, adding to the hotel's customer base. The property reportedly hosted prominent visitors, including President Harry Truman, actress Marilyn Monroe, and actor Victor Mature. Its role as a traveler-oriented hotel weakened after passenger railroad service ended and Route 66 traffic was shifted away from downtown to a northern route associated with the later Interstate 44 corridor. The Edwin Long Hotel continued operating into the early 1970s, but its business gradually declined as motels along the rerouted highway competed for motorists. The original bank's independent operation ended during the Great Depression. The First National Bank of Rolla was liquidated in 1933, and Rolla State Bank took over the bank premises. Rolla State Bank remained in the northwest corner of the first floor until 1963. Phelps County Bank subsequently acquired the property and converted it into the headquarters for its banking operations, eventually occupying the entire building. Phelps County Bank restored the exterior in 2001. The building's interior was adapted for contemporary banking use: the first floor became the customer service lobby, the second floor housed lending operations, the third floor was used for bookkeeping, and executive offices occupied the fourth floor. The former banquet hall was repurposed as a boardroom and meeting space for bank and community functions. In the same year, the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its architectural character, importance to Rolla's civic and commercial history, and connection with U.S. Route 66. It remains a downtown landmark and continues to serve as a regional financial-services facility through Phelps County Bank.

The National Bank of Rolla Building emerged from Rolla's growth as a regional commercial and transportation center. The National Bank of Rolla had roots reaching back to the 1870s, but the purpose-built structure associated with the institution opened in March 1931 at 8th and Pine Streets. The location was especially significant because 8th Street carried U.S. Route 66 through the downtown area. The building therefore served both local commerce and the growing market of intercity travelers moving across Missouri. The structure was planned as a combined banking and hospitality property. The National Bank of Rolla occupied the northwest corner of the first floor, while the remainder of the building was operated as the Edwin Long Hotel. The hotel contained 75 rooms and included the Edwin Long Coffee Shop for routine meals. Its lower-level College Inn banquet hall had space for approximately 350 people, allowing the building to function as a venue for conventions, meetings, celebrations, and other organized events. Contemporary descriptions emphasized modern amenities for the period, including private bathing facilities and radiant heat. The combination of bank, hotel, restaurant, and event space made the building an unusually prominent downtown institution. During the 1930s through the early 1960s, the Edwin Long Hotel benefited from its relationship with both Route 66 and the Frisco Railroad. It was a leading accommodation for motorists and rail passengers visiting Rolla, and accounts associate the hotel with high-profile guests such as Harry Truman, Marilyn Monroe, and Victor Mature. The property was part of the commercial landscape that made downtown Rolla a stopping point in the Ozarks. The banking component changed during the Great Depression. The First National Bank of Rolla was liquidated in 1933, after which Rolla State Bank occupied the former banking space. Rolla State Bank remained there until 1963. Phelps County Bank later acquired the entire building and established its headquarters there. This transition preserved the property's banking function even as its hotel use declined. The hotel faced increasing competition as transportation patterns changed. Passenger railroad service eventually ended, while Route 66 traffic was redirected from downtown toward the northern outskirts of Rolla through the highway system that became associated with Interstate 44. New motels located near the rerouted highway offered motorists more convenient roadside accommodation. These changes gradually reduced the Edwin Long Hotel's business, and its operation ended in the early 1970s. Phelps County Bank adapted the property for full-time financial use. The first floor became a customer service lobby, the second floor was assigned to lending, the third floor to bookkeeping, and the fourth floor to executive offices. The former banquet hall became a boardroom and meeting room for bank functions. In 2001, the bank restored the exterior, helping retain the building's historic presence in downtown Rolla. The property was also placed on the National Register of Historic Places that year. Its significance rests on the architectural character of the building, its long connection with Rolla's commercial life, its association with banking and hospitality, and its place in the history of U.S. Route 66. The building continues to operate as a Phelps County Bank facility, linking its original financial purpose with its preserved historic identity.

• 2001

  Exterior restoration and historic designation

  [1]National Bank of Rolla Buildingen.wikipedia.org

  Phelps County Bank restored the exterior, and the property was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

• 1970

  Hotel era ended

  [1]National Bank of Rolla Buildingen.wikipedia.org

  The Edwin Long Hotel continued into the early 1970s before closing as downtown traffic declined and roadside motels gained business along the rerouted highway.

• 1963

  Rolla State Bank left the building

  [1]National Bank of Rolla Buildingen.wikipedia.org

  Rolla State Bank's occupation of the northwest corner of the first floor ended, after which Phelps County Bank took control of the entire building.

• 1933

  National Bank of Rolla liquidated

  [1]National Bank of Rolla Buildingen.wikipedia.org

  The First National Bank of Rolla was liquidated during the Great Depression, and Rolla State Bank took over the banking premises.

• 1931

  Building opened

  [1]National Bank of Rolla Buildingen.wikipedia.org

  The building opened in March 1931 at 8th and Pine Streets in Rolla, combining the National Bank of Rolla with the Edwin Long Hotel.

A preserved downtown civic and commercial landmark whose historic banking, hospitality, and Route 66 functions have been integrated into the continuing headquarters operations of Phelps County Bank.

• 2001

  Historic restorationOther

  Background

  The building remained a prominent downtown landmark and was being evaluated for its architectural and Route 66 significance.

  Action taken

  Phelps County Bank restored the exterior while continuing to use the building as its headquarters.

  Aftermath

  The restoration supported the building's preservation and coincided with its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

  Source

• 1970

  Conversion to full-time banking headquartersStrategy

  Background

  After the Edwin Long Hotel's business weakened because of changing highway and railroad traffic, Phelps County Bank used the property for its headquarters.

  Action taken

  Phelps County Bank took over the entire building and reorganized its floors for banking, administrative, executive, and meeting functions.

  Aftermath

  The building retained its financial-services role while its former hotel and hospitality functions ended.

  Source

1. 1National Bank of Rolla Buildingen.wikipedia.org