THE rundown and somewhat neglected neighborhood of Stapleton on Staten Island’s eastern shore isn’t thought of as a hotbed of classic architecture but it does have pockets of excellence. Recently word came that Santander Bank, the longtime tenant of the classic Staten Island Savings Bank at Tappen Park, will be vacating the building. Fortunately the building itself, 100 years old in 2025, has been landmarked and will not be torn down.
From the NYC Landmarks Designation Report:
The Staten Island Savings Bank at Water and Beach Streets was not the first bank opened on the island, but was the first to be successful. Richmond County Bank, founded by Richard D. Littell, a judge in the court of special sessions, had been chartered by the State of New York in 1838 but failed by 1842, leaving Staten Island without its own bank until after the Civil War.
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The Staten Island Savings Bank was originally incorporated by the State of New York on April 6, 1864 but for unknown reasons did not begin operations until 1867. Founded by twenty-one prominent Staten Island men including Francis Gould Shaw, a philanthropist and reformer, John Bechtel, founder of Bechtel Brewery and Louis H. Meyer, its first president, a business man specializing in securities and railroad reorganizations, the intention was to provide the working men and women of the surrounding communities with a secure place to deposit their savings. The first deposit, $100, was made by Mary Josephine Thiery on June 8, 1867, shortly after the bank received its amended charter from the state.
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The neo-Classical style Staten Island Savings Bank was constructed on the prominent corner of Water and Beach Streets in downtown Stapleton in 1924-25. Designed by the nationally-significant firm of Delano & Aldrich , it is an important example of twentieth-century Italian Renaissance e-inspired neo-Classicism in Staten Island. The architects took advantage of the acute angle of the site to create a dramatic entrance of a colonnaded portico with a fish-scaled cast-lead dome.
I recently walked the length of Bay Street from the ferry to Fort Wadsworth. I may chop it up into several posts, or just do One Shots and Forgotten Slices of highlights in the coming months.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
5/19/25
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Stapleton was the home to the National Football League team, Staten Island Stapletons:
The Staten Island Stapletons, also known as the Staten Island Stapes, were a professional American football team. Founded in 1915, they played in the National Football League (NFL) from 1929 to 1932. The team was based in the Stapleton section of Staten Island. They played under the shortened nickname the “Stapes” the final two seasons.