Arthur Ray Bowman
The A. R. Bowman Memorial Museum is a
tribute to one of Crook County's leading
citizens. Arthur Ray Bowman, a Kansas
native, who came to Prineville as a young
man in 1910 after receiving a law degree
from the University of Washington.
Arthur Bowman quickly became involved in
civic affairs and played a prominent part in
the development of Crook County. Mr.
Bowman was active in such projects as the
Ochoco Irrigation District, the Prineville
Airport, and the construction of U.S.
Highway 26.
The A. R. Bowman Memorial Museum is a
tribute to one of Crook County's leading
citizens. Arthur Ray Bowman, a Kansas
native, who came to Prineville as a young
man in 1910 after receiving a law degree
from the University of Washington.
Arthur Bowman quickly became involved in
civic affairs and played a prominent part in
the development of Crook County. Mr.
Bowman was active in such projects as the
Ochoco Irrigation District, the Prineville
Airport, and the construction of U.S.
Highway 26.
Mr. Bowman took particular
interest in the Crooked River
Project, the project that
created the Prineville Dam
on the Crooked River. In
appreciation for his efforts,
the dam was renamed the
A. R. Bowman Dam.
Mr. Bowman also served as
Crook County Judge from
1936 to 1942. After Judge
Bowman's death in 1970,
his widow Alta and
daughters Jean and Elaine,
deeded the building as a gift
to the people of Crook
County, with provisions that
it be used as a museum.
interest in the Crooked River
Project, the project that
created the Prineville Dam
on the Crooked River. In
appreciation for his efforts,
the dam was renamed the
A. R. Bowman Dam.
Mr. Bowman also served as
Crook County Judge from
1936 to 1942. After Judge
Bowman's death in 1970,
his widow Alta and
daughters Jean and Elaine,
deeded the building as a gift
to the people of Crook
County, with provisions that
it be used as a museum.
Bowman Museum
The first building to occupy the land at the
present site of the A. R. Bowman Memorial
Museum (the corner of Third and Main Streets in
Prineville) was a one-story wooden building
constructed in 1883 and used originally as a
drug store.
The first building to occupy the land at the
present site of the A. R. Bowman Memorial
Museum (the corner of Third and Main Streets in
Prineville) was a one-story wooden building
constructed in 1883 and used originally as a
drug store.
About 1884 this building was replaced by a large,
two-story wooden structure known as Belknap
Hall. In 1908, the two-story building was moved to
West Second and Claypool Streets, where it was
used as a lodge hall by the I.O.O.F. (Independent
Order of Odd Fellows) until its demolition in 1972.
two-story wooden structure known as Belknap
Hall. In 1908, the two-story building was moved to
West Second and Claypool Streets, where it was
used as a lodge hall by the I.O.O.F. (Independent
Order of Odd Fellows) until its demolition in 1972.
The building which presently holds the artifacts of Crook
County history opened as the A. R. Bowman Museum in 1971.
It was built in 1910 by the Crook County Bank, using stone
blocks from a local quarry located just west of the Ochoco
Viewpoint. The same stone was used to build the historic
Crook County Courthouse a year earlier.
The building operated as a bank for 22 years. It was occupied
by the Crook County Bank from 1912 until 1923, and later by
the Bank of Prineville and Prineville National Bank. In 1935 the
building was purchased by A. R. Bowman. It was home to his
title and loan business for many years. It later became the
location for his insurance business for some 20 years.
County history opened as the A. R. Bowman Museum in 1971.
It was built in 1910 by the Crook County Bank, using stone
blocks from a local quarry located just west of the Ochoco
Viewpoint. The same stone was used to build the historic
Crook County Courthouse a year earlier.
The building operated as a bank for 22 years. It was occupied
by the Crook County Bank from 1912 until 1923, and later by
the Bank of Prineville and Prineville National Bank. In 1935 the
building was purchased by A. R. Bowman. It was home to his
title and loan business for many years. It later became the
location for his insurance business for some 20 years.
With its beautiful marble counters, bronze teller
cages, etched art-glass, mahogany paneling,
and gilt and alabaster chandeliers, one has
only to use his imagination to "see" the bustle
of activity during its heyday.
Although the bank became insolvent during the
Depression, the building itself remained
unchanged.
The Bowman Museum building was entered on
the National Register of Historic Places on
June 19, 1991.
cages, etched art-glass, mahogany paneling,
and gilt and alabaster chandeliers, one has
only to use his imagination to "see" the bustle
of activity during its heyday.
Although the bank became insolvent during the
Depression, the building itself remained
unchanged.
The Bowman Museum building was entered on
the National Register of Historic Places on
June 19, 1991.
A.R. Bowman Memorial Museum
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