Williamsburgh Savings Bank

Williamsburgh, originally an independent city, grew rapidly in the 1850s-1870s. Merchants, farmers, manufacturers and residents had great need for a savings and loan bank, as well as for investment banking. On April 9, 1851, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank was incorporated and opened in the basement of a church. By 1875, a handsome new building was erected on Broadway, at Fifth Street. This is the domed building you see in the photo.

Another important bank was the Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh, which began its operations on June 1st, 1864. Occupying a number of sites over the years, by 1873, it was established in its own building at Broadway and Second Street. See the horsecars in the forefront of the photograph. This photo shows Broadway from Bedford to Driggs Ave.

For more about the development of Brooklyn, see Documents 1 and 51.

Citation - Document 94
ca. 1870
Courtesy of the Brooklyn Historical Society
www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/civilwar