Renovations Begin on Iowa Bank with Ties to Bonnie and Clyde

A historic building in a small Iowa town, being renovated so it has a bright future, isn't that unusual a story. But when that building has the legend of Bonnie and Clyde attached to it, it becomes something else entirely.

Historic Bank Building to be Renovated

Since 1882, KCCI reports that the building has stood at the corner of Northwest Second Street in Stuart, Iowa. It served as a bank up until 1944, but has served other purposes since then. The building is being repaired by Wes and Abbey Duncan, who own Duncan Construction. After the previous owner of the building failed to go through with repairs, KCCI reports the Duncans moved in to save the building from demolition.

Connection to Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde traveled much of the central United States during the Great Depression, committing crimes including murder, kidnapping, and numerous bank robberies. One of their bank robberies happened at the First National Bank in Stuart, Iowa, on April 16th, 1934. It was one of their final robberies. Five weeks later, the outlaws would be killed in an ambush by Texas lawmen.

Building Will Look Just Like it Did in 1934

KCCI reports that Bonnie and Clyde's visit to the building will be incorporated into the renovations. A large mural of the outlaws will cover an outside wall, and the use of old checks will decorate the inside of the building. The Duncans say that the upstairs could be used as an apartment with the downstairs area housing a local business.