Businesses relocating to historic, renovated Bolivar building

Insurance company Ollis/Akers/Arney and law firm Douglas, Haun & Heidemann PC are relocating their Bolivar offices to a renovated, historic building on the city’s square.

They’ll each occupy space in what’s historically known as the First National Bank building when renovations are completed this summer, according to Pat Douglas, the developer of the 108 N. Main St. property and an attorney at Douglas, Haun & Heidemann.

“This building has held more than just history within its walls. It’s helped establish the town of Bolivar as we know it today,” Douglas said in a news release. “I’m proud to have spearheaded this project, bringing life back to a piece of history on the Bolivar square.”

The building, according to the release, was built in 1907 after being designed by Kansas City architects Thomas Wight and Edward T. Wilder. FNB occupied the building until 1932, when the Great Depression forced a sale to Polk County Bank. The building has been sold multiple times and has housed businesses including Ozarks Utilities Co., Empire Electric Co., Adams-Adams Mortgage Co., Walker’s Dairy Bar and Philly’s Ice Cream.

The building is registered as a historic place with the National Park Service under the criteria of architecture and commerce, according to the release.

The move for Springfield-based Ollis/Akers/Arney comes after the agency entered the Bolivar market last year with the purchase of The Paul Long Agency. It currently operates at 417 S. Springfield Ave. and is scheduled to relocate on June 1.

Paul Long, according to a separate release, leads Ollis/Akers/Arney’s Bolivar market. With the move to Main Street, Long will be a third-generation family member to work on the Bolivar square.

“That’s pretty special and means so much to me and my family,” he said in the release.