Alva Review-Courier -

While the word "palace" is usually associated with the home of a king, queen or aristocrat, it seems to have been a popular business name among early settlers in Oklahoma. In 1911 Alva had a Palace Pool Hall, a Palace Boardinghouse, a Palace Drug Store and a Palace Barber Shop. Today only one of those businesses remains – the Palace Barber Shop. Over the years, the ownership and location of the barber shop has changed but it has continued to retain the same name.

"When I bought this from Kenneth (Clark), he made sure to tell me, 'Don't change the name,'" said current owner Brian Venosdel. "Of course, that was a no-brainer."

Although he can't prove it, Venosdel believes the Palace Barber Shop is older than 120 years. "We believe it's older than 1902. I can't prove it past that point," he said.

The oldest proof of the Palace Barber Shop's existence came from research by local historian Donovan Reichenberger. On microfilm he found a 1902 newspaper ad for the Palace Barber Shop. It shows the owners as Leech and Smith and also advertises hot and cold baths.

Baths were not the most unusual services offered by early barbers. They also pulled teeth and sometimes applied leeches for medicinal purposes. "I never did that, thank goodness," said Venosdel.

Until recent years, barbers wore white smocks to designate their profession, making them look like some healthcare professionals. "Kenneth (Clark) found that wearing the white smocks, a lot of little kids came in here and would get apprehensive thinking we were dentists," said Venosdel. "That's when he went to more of a casual look, and that kind of stopped some of that anxiety."

Venosdel believes the Palace Barber Shop could be older than 120 years, and it's probably the oldest continuous business in Alva. He said the newspaper and some banks might say they are older, but they have gone through name changes. The Palace could even be the oldest barber shop in Oklahoma, says Venosdel. He jokes that he can say that until someone proves him wrong. "We had a good run here," he said.

To commemorate the age of the Palace Barber Shop, Arden and Nicki Chaffee asked local artist Warren Little to paint a mural on the south wall of the premises. The Chaffees own the building where the shop is located. Arden joked that it's his Christmas present to Nicki.

Describing the mural, Venosdel said, "Warren did a lot of background work." The barbers depicted behind barber chairs are believed to be the three most recent owners including Vern Henderson on the left, Kenneth Clark in the center, and Venosdel on the right. Three more faces are shown as photos on the wall behind them. "We believe they were previous owners of the barber shop," Venosdel said although he was a little unclear about their identities.

"I can only go back to Rufe Haney," he said in listing barber shop owners. "Rufe Haney had it before Vern (Henderson) and then Vern."

Jim Henderson, grandson of Vern, said, "Vern was there in 1930 and bought it in 1939. He had it until 1970."

Charlie VanDracek, father of Sheila Case, was also listed along with Tom Dean.

Little, who painted the mural, said the first two men to the left on the mural wall were from 1917. The third on the right is Tom Dean. "I bought a shotgun from him in 1958 out of the barbershop," said Little. "I still have that shotgun."

Among those gathering to discuss the shop history and pose for a photo was 96-year-old Neal Henderson, son of early barber Vern Henderson, along with Neal's son and Vern's grandson Jim. Until recently, Neal and Jim owned and operated United Brake and Electric in Alva in addition to a Honda dealership.

Desiree Morehead

The Palace Barber Shop in Alva is more than 120 years old. To recognize this longevity, Arden and Nicki Chaffee commissioned Warren Little to paint this mural. Seated in the barber chair is Neal Henderson, age 96, whose father Vern was one of the early Palace barbers. Standing from left are Neal's son Jim Henderson, current barber Brian Venosdel and artist Warren Little.

"I think he (Neal Henderson) can say he's only had like five people cut his hair in his lifetime," said Venosdel. "His daughter was one, Kenneth (Clark) and his dad (Vern), and me and actually Janet (Venosdel) had cut his hair some also. Not too many that are 96 years of age can say that." For a time, Janet worked alongside her husband Brian as a barber.

"Of course, Warren (Little) did a bunch of background work and put his heart and soul into putting this (mural) together," said Venosdel. "As he pointed out, each one of these little squares was done by hand, with love." Earlier Little had expressed some regret at the painstaking effort required to paint the checkerboard floor.

Asked for comments, Little said, "It was so much fun to do it. It was a challenge. I wanted something in there that would draw your attention, and the floor was what I thought would pull you to the picture."

"It does that for sure, Warren," said Venosdel.

Visitors to the Palace Barber Shop at 324 7th Street in Alva can enjoy the mural as they wait for their turn in the barber chair. While some techniques may be updated, the shop preserves the old time friendly atmosphere where a guy can go to swap news and gossip, get a laugh from a good joke and spin a few tales.