National Register Listing

Stock Exchange Bank

Main St., Fargo, OK
This building housed the banking service for the town of Fargo from 1908 until 1939. Originally chartered in May of 1903, the Stock Exchange Bank would merge with the Farmers State Bank which was started in 1908 by C.C. Manso and Chris Strongburg. Vernon Brown, the owner of the Stock Exchange Bank, built the building in 1908 and reopened the consolidated bank as the Stock Exchange Bank. The bank continued to provide services to the residents of Fargo after the building was sold to A.M. Benbrook in 1911. Benbrook took over the management of the bank on 1 January 1912 and served as head cashier for 10 years. He purchased control of the bank in 1922 and then became its president. The Stock Exchange Bank continued to help in the growth of Fargo and the surrounding community through the Depression until it was decided to move the bank to Woodward, 12 miles to the northeast, where it still operates today. The Fargo building has remained in the Benbrook family and has been used for storage since the bank moved. The interior fixtures of oak and marble have been donated to the Woodward Historical Museum and a replica of the bank interior is now displayed using the original fixtures and ceiling. Mr. Benbrook has achieved recognition in many. banking ventures. He was a distinguished member of the Oklahoma State Banking Board from May 1951 to 1959. He also served during that time as president and managing officer of the Stock Exchange Bank of Woodward.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Economics

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Audiobooks about the history of Oklahoma.
The first oil well in Oklahoma was drilled in 1897 in what is now Bartlesville. The discovery of oil in Oklahoma led to a boom in the state's economy, and it quickly became one of the largest oil-producing states in the country.
Oklahoma random facts
Ellis County, located in Oklahoma, has a rich history that dates back to the ancient times when Native American tribes inhabited the area. The area that is now Ellis County was originally home to the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, who lived off the land and utilized the region's resources for their sustenance and cultural practices.

In the 1800s, European settlers began to venture into the area, attracted by the promise of fertile land and abundant natural resources. The Land Run of 1892 led to a surge in population as settlers sought to claim their piece of the vast open prairie. Ellis County was officially established on July 16, 1907, as part of the newly formed state of Oklahoma.

Agriculture quickly became the backbone of the county's economy, as settlers cultivated crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton. The arrival of the railroad in the early 1900s further facilitated the growth of agriculture and enabled the transportation of goods to markets outside the county. The railroad also played a crucial role in the development of small towns within Ellis County, such as Arnett and Shattuck, which served as important trading and social centers for the local population.

Over the years, Ellis County has faced its share of challenges. The Dust Bowl era of the 1930s brought severe drought and wind erosion, leading to devastating agricultural losses and widespread economic hardship. However, the resilience of the local community allowed for recovery and growth in subsequent years. Today, Ellis County remains rooted in its agricultural heritage while also embracing modern industries and businesses that contribute to its continued development.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Ellis County, Oklahoma.

  • 1850: The area that would become Ellis County is open for settlement as part of the Indian Territory.
  • 1868: The Medicine Lodge Treaty is signed, opening up the area for white settlement.
  • 1870: The first European settlers arrive in the area.
  • 1882: Ellis County is formally established.
  • 1898: The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad is built through Ellis County, leading to increased growth and development.
  • 1907: Oklahoma becomes a state, and Ellis County is part of the new state.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression hits Ellis County hard, causing economic hardship for many residents.
  • 1940s: Ellis County experiences a population decline due to the effects of World War II, as many young men leave to serve in the military.
  • 1950s-1960s: Ellis County sees a period of growth and prosperity, with the oil industry playing a significant role in the local economy.
  • 1980s-1990s: The oil industry experiences a decline, leading to economic challenges for Ellis County.
  • Present: Ellis County continues to be a rural area with agriculture and energy production as key industries.