I was in Bay Ridge for a dental appointment when I once again passed the huge bank building at 5th Avenue and Bay Ridge Parkway (called by all Bay Ridgeites “75th Street”) when I recalled that I had been past this building likely thousands of times without going inside, while I resided in Bay Ridge from birth in 1957 until March 1993, when I moved to Queens. It hadn’t been “my” bank — however, I did apply at the Manufacturers Hanover on the opposite corner in 1984, and I’m still with that bank today — now JP Morgan Chase, after a series of mergers. Presently, this bank building has become a Chase branch, so I assumed I wouldn’t be given the bum’s rush if I showed them my Chase bank card. As it happened, that strategy was moot as no one either noticed my presence or cared about it.
The building was constructed beginning in 1934 as a branch of the Lincoln Savings Bank of Brooklyn, which was incorporated as the German Bank of Brooklyn in 1866 and hen changed to the new name in 1917, no doubt World War I influencing that decision.
According to the Brooklyn Eagle, June 11, 1934, ground was scheduled to be broken on or about July 1, 1934, with a facade of Indiana granite limestone with a black polished rosetta base. The banking room was to have a ceiling height of 30 feet, 8 inches and the walls and pilasters (half columns attached to the walls) of San Quentin stone. The floors were to be of terrazzo with brass dividers. The windows were to be 22 feet high (they still are and are one of the bank’s most enduring features).
However the greatest feature the article did not address were the large wall murals. Bear in mind that the bank was constructed in 1934, a few years before the Belt Parkway was constructed along the waterline. Thus, these large panels depict the Bay Ridge shoreline along the Narrows, close to how the shoreline appeared in the early 20th Century. Unfortunately, some bank offices obscure parts of the murals. I do not know the artist’s name.
Another mural shows Abraham Lincoln giving a speech to a crowd, with another speaker seated on the platform. This likely depicts the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates in which Lincoln (R) opposed Stephen Douglas (D) for a Senatorial seat in Illinois, the main issue being slavery in that state. Lincoln lost the election.
One of the crown jewels of the bank’s interior is this beautifully lettered plaque, featuring Lincoln’s signature, presenting Lincoln’s thoughts on capitalism and the pursuit of it, given while he was accepting an honorary membership in The Workingmen’s Association of New York on March 21, 1864.
Beside the bronze of Lincoln above the front door, another tangible relic of the building’s stint as the Lincoln Savings Bank are two display cases (I do not know what the displays were) featuring a classical “L” resembling a British pound sign.
One more discovery. Both sides of Bay Ridge Parkway are lined with wonderful attached brick dwellings with round bays. One aspect I had never noticed till now, however, is that the group on the north side is named Florence Row. The late Bob Guskind of Gowanus Lounge noticed this feature in 2007.
11/16/15
15 comments
Thank you for this: brings back lovely memories. This was also my bank branch growing up in the 1950s. I used to stare at those murals, especially the Lincoln one, as my parents did their transactions.I later had my one savings and Christmas Club accounts.
BTW: Those row houses are properly called “Italianate” from the bows and classical detailing.
THANKS I had a account with this bank at there Brighton Beach Branch in the early 50’s,it was on the corner of Brighton Beach Av @ Coney Island Av across from Stals….
Man that was near 60+ yrs ago!!!!!
Joel
There was a twin to this in Flatbush at the corner of Nostrand Ave and Church Ave…We also had Fulton and Flatbush Savings Banks within walking distance and these were enormous..especially for a little kid holding on to his Mother’s hand….show places!
No bank has a security guard anymore but photography isn’t the best way to get a lollipop.
Chase has acquired many old bank buildings in Brooklyn over the years through mergers, including this one and several on 86th Street. On many of these, they have installed blue and white LED lighting that shine up and/or down on the stone facades and columns at night. The architecture is spectacular lit up that way at night – it’s nice to see a large company like Chase actually embracing the architectural history of these buildings.
I’d like to see the inside of the round bays…to see how the rooms and furniture look.
I am trying to locate murals painted by my father Louis Bagnoli. He made several murals in NewcYork including murals for the Lincoln Savings Bank of Brooklyn. I would like to contact the author of this article on the Lincoln Savings Bank for help in identifying the artist who made the murals that are shown in this article. dlbagnoli@optonline.netd
I recall that some time in the mid 1970s – around the time I was 8 and my family left Brooklyn – this Lincoln Savings branch changed to a Seaman’s Savings Bank…When Seaman’s was flailing in the late 1980s, Chase acquired all the Seaman’s accounts and properties, including this building. I had my Brooklyn elementary school “dollar a week” bank book with Lincoln; which public schools used to do with students.
I also have fond memories of the Lincoln Savings Bank. The one closest to my home was located on Ave. X. A couple of blocks from my elementary school P.S. 216. Thank you for remembering the $1.00 a week bank book through our elementary schools. Although mine was through the Manufacturers Hanover Bank another one taken by Chase. However, my first checking and savings account after I started working were with Lincoln Savings. It was a a great bank.
I have many fond memories of going to this bank with my mother as a child. I had a savings account there thru my school. I loved looking at the murals & the architecture I thought when I became an adult was magnificent. I moved to Long Island & go back to Brooklyn frequently to have lunch at Gino’s & still enjoy looking at that beautiful building. Happy that Chase took it over & it wasn’t destroyed like most old buildings in New York.
Thanks for posting this and the Church & Nostrand branch in which I’ve also commented.. I’m happy to have found your site as it’s bringing back incredible memories of Lincoln Savings Bank. This was the first branch I was assigned to as a Management Trainee back in late 1974. I had to learn teller work. The second floor had a number of offices but there was teller training rooms there. I remember that branch was very busy with customers. I was scared to death when they had me doing live transactions with customers. Back in those days, their “late night” was on Thursday. I recall we were opened until 6 PM. They were also one of the branches opened on Saturday. Not all of them were. It was a great company to begin a career. There’s many names I’ve forgotten and many I knew are probably long gone too. I think about my time (6 years) I spent at “The Lincoln.”
My Aunt Mary…who would have been around 45 in 1974…worked there as a secretary then. What I remember is that they used to do these promotions on copy paper that customers could hold under some kind of scanner and it would reveal if they won something like a toaster. Very low tech but at the time it was cool.
I’m not sure but I think A friend of mine had a connection with the murals at the bank … Bea Roaman
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Bea Roman was a teacher …lived in Bay Ridge. I believe she worked on the murals at the bank .
I was a management trainee for the Lincoln Savings Bank in 1983. The first branch I was assigned to in the 9 month program was the Bayridge Branch on 75th. There I learned the fine skills of teller work and platform (the new account desks) operations. Still in touch with many people that I worked with. It was a time when banks served the community rather than trying to sell you products that weren’t appropriate for you. I was actually taught how to counsel people to save as opposed to pushing them into loans and credit cards they couldn’t afford. They were good days.