History of the Broad Street Bank
History of the Broad Street Bank
Among the several financial institutions that have helped make history for Trenton is the Broad Street National Bank. The bank was organized in 1887 at 188 South Broad Street, a small storefront, and later moved to 201-203 South Broad. Trenton prosperity continued under the leadership of Israel Howard and Oliver O. Bowman, and it was not long before the bank outgrew its Broad Street home and the aggressive management began looking for a more prestigious address to construct an immense banking and office building. Past board member later elected President of the bank General Wilbur F. Sadler led the bank to almost a century of growth. Locating at its present home on East State Street, the bank continued to use its Broad Street name until being sold to Fleet Bank in the later half of the twentieth century.
Architect William A. Poland
The building’s principle architect, William A. Poland was a native Trentonian and one of the best-known men in his profession in this section of the country. Trained as a carpenter and pattern maker, he began his apprenticeship in Philadelphia with T. Rodney Williamson and J.P. Sims. During his stay in Philadelphia, he was employed as a draftsman in the Phoenix Iron Works. Later he began working in New York with R.H. Robertson. In between setting up his own office in Trenton and working in New York, Mr. Poland received his formal training at the Franklin Institute. In April of 1882, Mr. Poland established his local office at 11 West State Street, Trenton.
Besides the Broad Street Bank Building, his other notable designs include many other city buildings. His Trenton designs that still can be seen include the 1888 Bethany Presbyterian Church, the 1916 Junior High #1, the Masonic Hall, the original Y.M.C.A. adaptively reused today by Rite Aid, and several homes on Prospect and Chestnut Streets and Bellevue, Greenwood and Clinton Avenues. The Forst Richey building was also designed by Poland but has since been demolished. One of his most celebrated designs adaptively reused today for office space is the Ferdinand W. Roebling mansion on West State Street. Included in the State House Historic District directly across from the State House proper, this compilation of town homes has been nicknamed the Pride of Lions for its terra cotta lions’ head statues. Recognized for its architectural elegance, the mansion was the home to the city*s famous steel bridge pioneering Roebling family and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Poland*s style ranges from Romanesque to Moderne to Victorian showing his versatility as a designer. Besides being ne of the region*s and certainly the city*s most renowned architects, Poland was also a civic leader. He was a member of the Board of Freeholders, Chairman of the Road Committee, Trustee of the First Baptist Church, and Superintendent and Architect of Grounds and Building for the Trenton Public Schools. Any other architect in influencing the built environment of the State’s capitol has not surpassed the multitude of buildings coupled with the range of architectural styles produced by Poland.
Besides the Broad Street Bank Building, his other notable designs include many other city buildings. His Trenton designs that still can be seen include the 1888 Bethany Presbyterian Church, the 1916 Junior High #1, the Masonic Hall, the original Y.M.C.A. adaptively reused today by Rite Aid, and several homes on Prospect and Chestnut Streets and Bellevue, Greenwood and Clinton Avenues. The Forst Richey building was also designed by Poland but has since been demolished. One of his most celebrated designs adaptively reused today for office space is the Ferdinand W. Roebling mansion on West State Street. Included in the State House Historic District directly across from the State House proper, this compilation of town homes has been nicknamed the Pride of Lions for its terra cotta lions’ head statues. Recognized for its architectural elegance, the mansion was the home to the city*s famous steel bridge pioneering Roebling family and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Poland*s style ranges from Romanesque to Moderne to Victorian showing his versatility as a designer. Besides being ne of the region*s and certainly the city*s most renowned architects, Poland was also a civic leader. He was a member of the Board of Freeholders, Chairman of the Road Committee, Trustee of the First Baptist Church, and Superintendent and Architect of Grounds and Building for the Trenton Public Schools. Any other architect in influencing the built environment of the State’s capitol has not surpassed the multitude of buildings coupled with the range of architectural styles produced by Poland.
Local Trenton History & Societal Contributions
Aside from noting the significance of the architect that designed the building, the Broad Street Bank was important in the local history of the city. The original eight story corner building is responsible for many of Trenton's firsts including the:
1st Trenton skyscraper
1st elevator in the City of Trenton
1st city building to be constructed with a steel superstructure
1st public aerial view of Trenton
1st modern safety deposit key mechanism
1st bank in the region to have a Woman's Department
1st revolving doors
Prior to the original building's construction, the downtown area did not rise more the four stories and no structure was built utilizing steel frame construction. At the grand opening, trips up the city’s first elevators allowed an aerial perspective of the growing industrial city that had never before been seen and Trentonians marveled at the center entry revolving door. It was since removed to make way for the day’s storefronts, the revolving door stood as testimony to the ingenuity of modern buildings. In a city that was the home to Peter Cooper’s milling innovations which produced the world*s first 7 inch I beams and the home to the Roebling legacy of steel bridges and cable technology, Trentonian’s were still amazed to see the bank’s skeleton rise high above every other. Trenton possessed a wealth of industry; its world renowned pottery including terra cotta, ceramic tiles and bricks along with its iron and steel products which contributed to the wire cable and bridge building synonymous with the Roebling name, made Trenton New Jersey’s hub of industrial activity and creativity. Trenton was long known as "The City of Iron and Clay." The Broad Street Bank Building is a testimony to this legacy. Its steel structure covered by terra cotta and brickwork is an example of the synthesis of these two important Trenton industries.
It is important to note that besides these contributions, the bank was considered more than a financial institution. Community rooms and a mezzanine level overlooking the main banking floor were used for community meetings and were often the place where private business was conducted. Right from its opening, the public was invited into the building and as such they adopted the lobby and mezzanine levels as their formal space to conduct private business, meet with business associates and friends and learn about town news. Retail establishments of Trenton's elite including Thomas Cadwalader's (Register listed Olmsted park named after Cadwaladar- Cadwalader Park, Trenton) cigar shop as well as prominent city attorneys and other business all located their offices at this prestigious address.
On top of acting as the social center of the city, the bank began programs that encouraged women to enter the financial realms so long handled solely by men. A separate section of the bank was dedicated to the Woman's Department that had its own tellers and bank personnel. This separation and special care enables women with families to conduct their business in a timely manner, made them feel more comfortable with entering into the business sector and encouraged them to think outside of the box of their societal home-based role.
1st Trenton skyscraper
1st elevator in the City of Trenton
1st city building to be constructed with a steel superstructure
1st public aerial view of Trenton
1st modern safety deposit key mechanism
1st bank in the region to have a Woman's Department
1st revolving doors
Prior to the original building's construction, the downtown area did not rise more the four stories and no structure was built utilizing steel frame construction. At the grand opening, trips up the city’s first elevators allowed an aerial perspective of the growing industrial city that had never before been seen and Trentonians marveled at the center entry revolving door. It was since removed to make way for the day’s storefronts, the revolving door stood as testimony to the ingenuity of modern buildings. In a city that was the home to Peter Cooper’s milling innovations which produced the world*s first 7 inch I beams and the home to the Roebling legacy of steel bridges and cable technology, Trentonian’s were still amazed to see the bank’s skeleton rise high above every other. Trenton possessed a wealth of industry; its world renowned pottery including terra cotta, ceramic tiles and bricks along with its iron and steel products which contributed to the wire cable and bridge building synonymous with the Roebling name, made Trenton New Jersey’s hub of industrial activity and creativity. Trenton was long known as "The City of Iron and Clay." The Broad Street Bank Building is a testimony to this legacy. Its steel structure covered by terra cotta and brickwork is an example of the synthesis of these two important Trenton industries.
It is important to note that besides these contributions, the bank was considered more than a financial institution. Community rooms and a mezzanine level overlooking the main banking floor were used for community meetings and were often the place where private business was conducted. Right from its opening, the public was invited into the building and as such they adopted the lobby and mezzanine levels as their formal space to conduct private business, meet with business associates and friends and learn about town news. Retail establishments of Trenton's elite including Thomas Cadwalader's (Register listed Olmsted park named after Cadwaladar- Cadwalader Park, Trenton) cigar shop as well as prominent city attorneys and other business all located their offices at this prestigious address.
On top of acting as the social center of the city, the bank began programs that encouraged women to enter the financial realms so long handled solely by men. A separate section of the bank was dedicated to the Woman's Department that had its own tellers and bank personnel. This separation and special care enables women with families to conduct their business in a timely manner, made them feel more comfortable with entering into the business sector and encouraged them to think outside of the box of their societal home-based role.
