Second National Bank building

 At what is now the drive-through for NBT bank there was once a three-story brick structure named the Bank Building. But before that there was a house! 

The property on Main Street encompassing numbers 67-71 was once the site of the house of G.K. Stiles- watch, clock, and jewelry merchant. Stiles also built a small building on the property to serve as his shop in 1846. The following year, Dr. A.H. Ayres, a homeopathic physician, also kept an office at the jewelry shop. 

Stiles remained in Cortland until 1859, when he moved to Brooklyn. The house became the residence of Judge Hiram Crandall, and M. Michelson took over the jewelry store. Newspapers reported on a robbery that took place in October 1874- “The boldness of the operation will be understood, when we mentioned that the rear of the building where the burglars entered, is within a few feet of Judge Crandall’s setting room, and the front is right on Main street, with large windows and a door, and nothing to hide the whole interior from the plain view of passersby.” The robbers were captured and the stolen goods recovered. 

Judge Crandall died in 1881, and Henry D. Freer, who we met in the previous Main Street Monday post about the neighboring Brunswick Hotel, leased the house and opened it up to boarders. Just a few years later, in 1885, the house was purchased by B.F. Taylor and J.R. Schermerhorn and moved to Owego Street, south of the railroad tracks. In comparing the image of the house from the 1876 county atlas to houses in that area, it seems to be a good match with 88 Owego Street. 

In the vacant lot was put up a building to house the Second National Bank. Having formed in 1882, they had rooms in Henry D. Freer’s store next door and sought a more appropriate location. Work on the building was commenced in May of 1885 and nearing completion just six months later in November. The Odd Fellows Vesta Lodge dedicated their rooms on the third floor on November 26th, and on December 17th the bank moved in to their “handsome new quarters in the new building. The interior is finished in cherry with polished brass trimmings and presents an attractive appearance. It certainly is one of the handsomest and handiest banking establishments in Central New York.” Adelbert W. Watkins opened a dry goods store in the south storefront of the building, and there were offices located on the second floor. 

On February 18, 1887 the Odd Fellows held their first “Bal Masque” in the Hall. The announcement in the newspapers for the event described that “The Grand March will take place at 8 p. m. All those not in costume who wish to dance, can do so after ten o'clock, although masks will not be removed until after 12. One of the best costumers in Syracuse has been secured for this occasion and will be in attendance at rooms on the second floor of the Second National Bank building on the day previous to the ball. Dressing rooms will also be furnished in the building. Bill $1.00. Supper tickets, 50 cents per couple , extra ; spectators’ tickets 25 cents. Seats will be furnished tor 200 spectators. Supper served from 9 p.m., until 1 a.m.” What a dazzling affair it must have been! 

A fire started in July 1896 in the merchant tailoring rooms of J.E. Bliss on the second floor- the fire was quickly discovered and extinguished, but practically all of Mr. Bliss’ stock was destroyed. The fire was determined to have originated in the area of the coal stove and started from the pine woodwork or from some cloths which were too near the stove. The law office of Smith and Dickinson was located across the hall and suffered some smoke damage. There was minor damage by smoke and water to the supplies of Mrs. T.P. Button, dressmaker who occupied rooms to the rear of Mr. Bliss, and the furnishings and paraphernalia of the I.O.O.F. Vesta Lodge rooms were badly damaged. In this period the dry goods store was operated by Case, Ruggles, and Bristol. 

In 1923, M.A. Case moved the dry goods business to Beaudry block and the Second National Bank conducted renovations to include a new front entrance way, lobby and vestibule, tellers’ windows, officials’ offices, ladies’ waiting room and safe deposit booths. 

The Second National Bank merged with the National Bank of Cortland in 1936 to form the First National Bank housed at 35 Main Street. The lot was sold to A.J. Twentyman, who leased it to the M.H. Fishman Co. variety store. Fishman’s opened in 1938 after extensive renovations: “Radical changes were made in the interior so that one would never recognize in the modern store the space that was for years occupied by the bank…All counters are constructed on American maple and inlaid with Mexican mahogany and walls and pillars are covered with mirrors…the firm takes considerable pride in its fountain and luncheonette which is claimed to be the largest in the city in seating capacity and equipment. Constructed of steel with chromium trim, it is made more attractive by pink tinted mirrors enhanced by hand carvings.” A staff of nearly fifty salesgirls greeted the public on opening day. 

In 1955 it was reported that a large beam had fallen in an unoccupied portion of the building, and it is likely that this was in the vacant third story, the Oddfellows having moved their quarters to 17 Tompkins Street in 1941. The third level was removed within a few years of the incident. 

Finally, the First National Bank purchased the lot, Fishman’s closed on December 24, 1962, and the Bank Building demolished. The First National Bank unveiled their new TV Auto-Banker station in the summer of 1964: “It’s new, different…fun to use. The whole family will enjoy banking on TV!” In 1974, the bank building was expanded to gain the appearance known today.