Adirondack National Bank
Adirondack National Bank, before the late-1950s remodeling. Adirondack Daily Enterprise, November 24, 2001 
Adirondack National Bank, 2009 Address: 75 Main Street
Old Address: 70 Main Street
Other names:
Year built: 1906-07; heavily altered 1962
Architect:
The Adirondack Bank opened in 1896 in the Spaulding Block.
George LaPan was its president from 1944 until his death in 1957.
Because of the total modernization of its facade, the bank is a non-contributing building within the Berkeley Square Historic District.
This bank was one of those HSBC branches sold to First Niagara Bank in 2011 1 and then Key Bank in October 2016.
Believed to be the site of the Reuben Reynolds house where the E. L. Trudeau family spent their first winter in Saranac Lake; Adirondack National Bank & Trust Company, Marine Midland Bank, HSBC, First Niagara, Key Bank (closing in 2018)
On the northern portion of the Reuben Reynolds lot, the Adirondack National Bank, which had been operating out of a storefront in the Coulter Block, built its own building in late 1906 and early 1907.
In the early 1950s, Adirondack National was acquired by Northern New York Trust Company; and that institution was acquired by Marine Midland Bank in 1962.
The Adirondack National Bank had been the gem of Main Street. Marine Midland covered the most beautiful commercial facade in the Adirondacks from top to bottom and edge to edge with an absolutely flat, featureless wall of brick — featureless except for an internally lit sign thrusting the Marine Midland name and logo five feet out over the sidewalk. 2
There is some possibility that the facade was not ruined and that, with a removal of the wall, it could be restored at a reasonable cost. But the original interior was totally, utterly destroyed and replaced by a relentlessly banal example of early 1960s modernity.)
The Marine Midland wall, since acquired by HSBC, stands today, a hole in the smile of Main Street, a reminder of what can happen when a community forgets to guard its treasures, and a sad monument to the far reaching and unreachable powers of the faceless corporations that have attained such dominance in late 20th century American life.
Original text by Philip L. Gallos, 1983
Franklin Gazette, June 26, 1896
The Adirondack National Bank of Saranac Lake, with a capital of $50,000, was on Friday authorized to do business by the treasury department at Washington.
Adirondack News, February 13, 1897
The Adirondack "Enterprise" says: A sufficient amount of the capital stock of a national bank to be established in Saranac Lake has been subscribed to make the success of the project absolutely certain. The name of the institution will be the Adirondack National Bank of Saranac Lake. It will be capitalized at $50,000, of which about $45,000 is now taken, much of it by New York capitalists. On Friday last Attorney H. P. Coats and William Minshull were In Malone and succeeded in interesting some of the best business men of that community in the project. Mr. Minshull, who is actively engaged in the work of organization, expects to remain in the employ of the bank after its establishment. It is expected that by April first the institution will be open for business.
Franklin Gazette, May 14, 1897
The Adirondack National Bank of Saranac Lake has elected the following officers and directors:
President—R. H. McIntyre.
Vice-President—William Minshall. [sic]
Cashier—John F. Neilson.
Directors—John F. McIntyre, William Minshall, John F. Neilson, George W. Crooks. A. L. Donaldson, William C. Leonard.
The bank will be under the supervision of President McIntyre and starts with every assurance of a successful future.
Malone Palladium, November 30, 1899
The Adirondack National Bank, at Saranac Lake, has moved into its new building, which is a model one for the purpose. It is lighted by electricity, heated by steam and is equipped with 100 safe deposit boxes.
Malone Palladium, May 14, 1908
The business of the Adirondack National Bank at Saranac Lake has increased to such an extent of late that the need of additional room has become pressing and the directors are preparing plans for a new building on their property which was lately purchased of Reuben Reynolds. The building, which has been one of the landmarks of the town has been removed and the site is rapidly being prepared for the new banking house.
Malone Farmer, March 24, 1909
The Adirondack National Bank at Saranac Lake is to have new steel desks, counters, furniture and fixtures. Even the roll-top desks, chairs and waste baskets will be of steel. The new bank building will be one of the handsomest in the state.
Malone Farmer, September 15, 1909
The Adirondack National Bank, of Saranac Lake, has moved into its handsome new banking house on Main street. On Saturday afternoon, Sept 4th, the new building was formally opened to the public and was visited by several hundred persons who inspected the structure and were much pleaded with its accommodations. It is the latest and perhaps the finest banking house in Northern New York. Souvenirs in the form of bill purses for men and small leather covered mirrors for the ladies were given away at the bank.
Adirondack Record, October 9, 1914
Will Erect New Building
The Adirondack National Bank of Saranac Lake has contracted for the erection of a new business block on Main street in that village on the site now occupied by T. E. Daly’s [sic] cigar store. The first floor of the new building will be occupied by Mr. Daly, while the second will contain offices and apartments.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, August 15, 2018
Key Bank is leaving
Some locals hope buyer will look for hidden old facade
Key Bank plans to close its branch here this fall, citing a shortage of customers as the reason. On Nov. 9, a Friday, the bank will close the branch at 75 Main St. as well as its drive-through outpost at 151 Church St. . . .
The Adirondack Bank was at the Coulter Block from 1897 to 1906-07.
That Adirondack Bank was first located in the Spaulding Block, then the Donaldson Block, they then moved to the Coulter Building finally ending at 70 Main Street
Sources:
Comments
Footnotes
1. Adirondack Daily Enterprise, August 2, 2011
2. This sign has been removed.
