This picture of the Opera House and First National Bank is another of those painted by Edna O’Dell and featured in a book, “Tarkio Memories – Through the Art of Edna McCoy O’Dell,” being sold by Tarkio College. The Opera House was built in 1890 through the collaboration of Tarkio’s leading citizens as an entertainment center for the town. The seating capacity was 864 and the opera house was known for its beautiful decorations. The famous Lillie Langtree was said to have performed there. The building was later owned by the First National Bank and was demolished along with the bank in the early 1970s. The First National Bank was organized in 1883 with nearly 100 shareholders, David Rankin being the first president. The bank was under the control of the Rankin family interests until 1930. The bank printed over $750,000 worth of national currency over a period of 53 years, ending in 1935. In 1936, the bank was acquired by Lewis Schollian and Claude Templeton until it was sold to American Bank, Inc. To request a copy of the book, contact Donald Jagger Photography, 12016 County Road 4001, Holts Summit, MO 65043, 660-623-0859, or email flasher@me.com.