Oran Banks
2002 Main St.

In May of 1909, George Vanderwalker and Wm. Brooks of Readlyn went to Oran to assist in organizing a bank. The Oran Savings Bank was incorporated in July with President S. M. Furrow, Vice-President G. L. Gardner, Cashier R. H. Rehder. In July George Ebert and a force of men were doing the woodwork on the brick bank building. C. H. Russell had the contract to build it. The bank began with a capital of $10,000. In February of 1910 the Abstract Office reported R. E. Swisher sold lot 7 block 1 village of Oran to Oran Savings Bank for $100.50. In January of 1910 the state auditor acknowledge the qualified board of directors: E. E. Shippy, J. L. Gardner, F. F. Judas, R. E. Swisher and C. F. Mealey. By the end of 1910 the bank had $30,000 in deposits. A 1912 Oelwein Register article confirms the second story of the bank was living quarters. Tony Smith and sisters moved up over the bank until they get a house built.

The Oran Savings Bank completely burned to the ground at 2:25 pm on January 19, 1931. The fire started in the Harold Forstch upstairs apartment. Loss was estimated at $10,000. After the fire, the bank was only a single story building.

When President Roosevelt closed the banks, Oran Savings Bank was the second bank in Fayette County to reopen. J. N Getz was the banker. Folklore said it never closed.