'Jim Hess Boulevard' sign goes up in honor of community leader

Becky Burch
Updated ·2 min read

Bartlesville city street crews installed a bright blue sign this month declaring Fifth Street between Delaware and Shawnee Avenue as honorary “Jim Hess Boulevard."

Jim Hess
Jim Hess

Jimmy Hess, who passed away in November 2021, was a well-known business owner and community leader. While the honorary street name is located near the once family-owned business, 5th & Shawnee Liquor Store, it was Jimmy Hess’ love and involvement in the community that merited the honor.

Hess’ son, David Lee Hess, started a petition for the street name last year. Over 500 signatures were gathered, allowing the petition to go through various city committees before landing in the hands of the Bartlesville City Council on April 1, 2024. The council unanimously approved the request.

“I’m thankful to everyone who helped make the sign possible and grateful my dad's contributions to Bartlesville are being recognized in this way,” said David Lee Hess.

The four-generation Hess family has been a pillar of the community since 1926 when the Hess Mercantile was established. From there, the Hess family owned and operated the liquor store from 1965 until it was sold following Jimmy Hess’ death.

Bartlesville city street crews installed a bright blue sign declaring Fifth Street between Delaware and Shawnee Avenue as honorary “Jim Hess Boulevard" in April 2024.
Bartlesville city street crews installed a bright blue sign declaring Fifth Street between Delaware and Shawnee Avenue as honorary “Jim Hess Boulevard" in April 2024.

Fondly known as “Mr. Bartlesville”, Jim Hess was active in community projects and committees. He served with the Washington County Historical Society, Friends of the Bartlesville Library and Bartlesville Area History Museum Trust Authority. He also founded the College High School Alumni Association and Scholarship Fund in 1986, which has so far sent 141 Bartlesville High School graduates to college.

"The Hess legacy is much deeper than the family contributions,” said Debbie Neece, Collections Manager of the Bartlesville Area History Museum. “He was an ornery 1961 College High School graduate and a Wildcat in every sense of the word. But he was very serious about giving back to the community.”

Neece added he was deserving of the street naming and recognition for his devotion to the community.

Two other Bartians have been honored with street names. C.J. "Pete" Silas has an honorary street name in downtown Bartlesville and Jim Bohnsack’s sign is near Bartlesville High School.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: 'Jim Hess Boulevard' sign goes up in honor of community leader