19-23 Main Street
Site of History 🛈The Site of History tag is given to properties that were lost before this building survey was undertaken.

Architectural Description: 

NRIND NRMRA, ECRDS, ENRDL,
Design is Romanesque Revival

Historical significance:
Designed by Hartwell & Richardson of Boston, this building opened for business in Spring of 1890. The tenants at that time included both the Andover Savings Bank & The Andover National Bank on the first floor, the Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Co., an attorney and a dentist on the second floor, and St. Mathew's Masonic Lodge on the entire third floor.
Carpenters for the building were Hardy & Cole of Andover, and
the Darmon Safe & Iron Works Co. of Boston installed "one of the most secure bank vaults ever built".
First directors of the Andover National Bank included Amos Blanchard, cashier; Samuel Farrar, president; Moses Forster was cashier (1856-1895).
Interior features included woodwork of cherry and an "elaborate railing of braided brass" topping the counters; glazed tile fireplace.
Andover National Bank was founded 1 July 1826. First meeting of stockholders was held in Locke Tavern (111 Main Street). First building occupied until 1889. 1880's bought estate of Stephen Abbot adjoining at rear, old buildings and portions of land sold at auction. Architects aimed for "comfort and convenience"."A Historical Sketch Covering One Hundred Twenty Years of The Andover National Bank", 1826 - 1964.Goldsmith , Bessie; "Townswoman's Andover""Business History of Andover", 250th Anniversary Souvenier, 1896, pg. 23.

Historical Narrative: 

19-23-25 Main Street - Andover National Bank Building - Built 1889
Historical significance:

The brick bank building was constructed in 1889-1890 in the Romanesque Revival style. Designed by Hartwell & Richardson of Boston, the firm also designed Draper Hall (1889-90) for Abbot Academy and the Episcopal Church (1887) on Central Street. Built by Hardy & Cole of Andover. the Darmon Safe & Iron Works Co. of Boston installed "one of the most secure bank vaults ever built". This structure replaced the former Federal style building built in 1826 and razed in the spring of 1889 for the new bank building.
Completed in 1890, the primary tenant and owner was the Andover National Bank. The architects aimed for “comfort and convenience.”
This building opened for business in Spring of 1890. The tenants at that time included both the Andover Savings Bank & The Andover National Bank on the first floor a Drug store, the Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Co., an attorney and a dentist on the second floor, and St. Mathew's Masonic Lodge on the entire third floor.

Interior features included woodwork of cherry and an "elaborate railing of braided brass" topping the counters; glazed tile fireplace.
Andover National Bank was founded 1 July 1826. First meeting of stockholders was held in Locke Tavern (111 Main Street). The first building occupied from 1826 until 1889. 1880's bought estate of Stephen Abbot adjoining at rear, old buildings and portions of land sold at auction. Architects aimed for "comfort and convenience".

The Andover Bank was chartered by the State on March 4, 1826 and the directors; Samuel Farrar, Mark Newman, Joseph Kittredge, Hobart Clark, Amos Spaulding, Amos Abbott, Stephen Abbott, Nathaniel Stevens & Francis Kidder were chosen on March 27th Samuel Farrar became the first president 1826-1856 and Amos Blanchard, first cashier 1826-1833. Former presidents of the bank after Farrar include, John Flint 1856-1873, John L. Taylor 1873-1880 & Edward Taylor from 1880-1890. Moses T. Stevens elected in 1890. Cashiers; following Blanchard were Edward Taylor 1833-1845, Francis Cogswell 1845-1856, Moses Foster 1856-1895.

The first meetings to organize were held at James Locke’s Tavern at 111 Main Street and the bank opened for business on June 26, 1826. On July 23, 1865 the bank made the conversion into the National Banking Association and became chartered as the Andover National Bank while John Flint was the bank president.

The original building design included the two banking institutions on the ground level at each end. The Andover National Bank on the left and the Andover Savings Bank, founded in 1835 and at this site from 1851-1923 on the right. In the center was a retail store occupied by the Arthur Bliss pharmacy, formerly at J. J. Brown’s 1843-1885, who relocated from 9-11 Main Street. April 8, 1898 AT – Arthur Bliss will move to his new store in the National Bank building in a few weeks. His old stand will be occupied by M. A. Clement….
Office space on the second floor was occupied by the Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a tenant here since established in 1828. The company later became known as The Andover Companies and relocated to Shawsheen Village and now is in West Andover. The top floor contained a large hall used for lectures and the St. Matthews Masonic Lodge.

April 5, 1889 AA– The National Bank building, occupied for banking purposes since its erection in 1826 is vacated. The two banks improved the legal holiday on Thursday to move into the Lower Town Hall, where they resumed business promptly this morning. The familiar faces of the officials look strangely at first in such unfamiliar surroundings;
But we shall soon be used to depositing and drawing our money in the new place. The banks occupy the north end of the hall, and the Merrimack Insurance Company moves to-day into the south end, a large space being left between. Judge Poor is a home to his clients and friends in the School Committee room on the second floor of the Town House. Sears and his shoes are making tracks to-day over to Saunder’s shop. The Free Masons are to have the G.A.R. Hall, over Smith and Manning’s. Hardy & Cole commence at once the destruction of the old building, and we shall soon see the rising foundations of its successor, which according to the plans, will be an ornament to the town.

The First Bank Building -
19-23 Main Street - Andover National Bank Building - Built 1826 – razed April 1889
The brick Federal style building was constructed in 1826 and the primary tenant was the Andover Bank. The Andover Bank was chartered by the State on March 4, 1826 and the directors; Samuel Farrar, Mark Newman, Joseph Kittredge, Hobart Clark, Amos Spaulding, Amos Abbott, Stephen Abbott, Nathaniel Stevens & Francis Kidder were chosen on March 27th Samuel Farrar became the first president 1826-1856 and Amos Blanchard, first cashier 1826-1833. The original capitol was $100,000 & had doubled by 1833. $250,000 in July of 1836 then saw a drop to 120,000 by March 1840. Presidents of the bank while in this building after Farrar include, John Flint 1856-1873, John L. Taylor 1873-1880 & Edward Taylor from 1880-1890. Moses T. Stevens elected in 1890. Cashiers; following Blanchard were Edward Taylor 1833-1845, Francis Cogswell 1845-1856, Moses Foster 1856-1895. The first meetings to organize were held at James Locke’s Tavern at 111 Main Street and the bank opened for business on June 26, 1826. On July 23, 1865 the bank made the conversion into the National Banking Association and became chartered as the Andover National Bank while John Flint was the bank president.
The building was designed with three store fronts on the main level and office space on the floors above with a hall on the top floor used for lectures and the Masonic Lodge. The National Bank operated out of quarters on the right on both sides of the door and the other two shops were leased to merchants. The Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Company, established in 1828, had offices on the second floor and also in the new building that replaced it in 1890. They continue today as The Andover Companies now in West Andover. The Andover Savings Bank also moved to this location in 1852 and remained here until 1923.

April 5, 1889 AA– The National Bank building, occupied for banking purposes since its erection in 1826 is vacated..... Hardy & Cole commence at once the destruction of the old building, and we shall soon see the rising foundations of its successor, which according to the plans, will be an ornament to the town.

Former Tenants;
Advertisements; Feb. 19, 1853 AA -N.W. Hazen - Attorney – Bank Building, Main St.
Samuel Merrill - Counselor - Bank Building, Main St.
May 20, 1854 AA – J. W. Barnard – New Boot & Shoe store – having leased the store formerly occupied by G. W. Gallishan, on Main Street.
April 10, 1858 AA - J.W. Barnard – No. 8 Main St. Boots & Shoes – from the old stand to the store formerly occupied by S. C. Frye.
Oct. 15, 1859 AA – Boots Cheep – Barnard & Roberts, Bank building Main Street. – Now connected with the wholesale store in Boston – 171 Hanover St. Boston
Nov. 5, 1859 AA – Ladies & Gentlemen’s Skates – Barnard & Roberts
Jacob H. Barnard began his shoe manufacturing company in a small back room here about 1856 and continued until 1885 when he moved to his new building at 21 Barnard Court.
Nov. 15, 1855 AA - S. C. Frye’s Boots, Shoes, & Rubbers – No. 12 Main Street.
May 3, 1856 AA – O of U. A. Shawshin Chapter No. 47 to be held on Monday evening next, 5th inst. At the usual place, at half past 7 o’clock.
Feb. 16, 1856 AA - Bank Hall – Washington’s Birthday Festival under the supervision of O.U.A.
Oct. 17, 1857 AA – Watch & Clock repairing – The subscriber, Samuel C. Davis, having left the shop of M. Sands has taken an apartment in the Shoe Store of Samuel C. Frye, Bank Building – Andover – Oct. 6,
June 26, 1885 AA pg. 2 col. 8 - A snow guard has been placed on the roof of the bank building, and the piazza in front is removed. The business rooms in the lower story will be much lighter by the removal and the loafers will loose their shelter in stormy weather.

Additional tenants;
1932 Cambridge Mutual Insurance, Smart & Flagg Insurance, Lynn Manufacturers & Merchants, Mutual Fire Insurance, Merrimac Mutual Merchants Inc., Andover National Bank
1943 Fred & Cheever Real Estate
1957 Bank, Masonic Hall
1992 Bay Bank

Bibliography/References: 

Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA
Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA

Directories: 1926, 1932, 1943, 1953
Maps: 1852, 1872, 1884, 1896, 1906, 1930
See plans; # 13306 – December 2, 1997
#1438 – September 1943 and #178 – July 2, 1914 Northern Essex Registry of Deeds, Lawrence
"A Historical Sketch Covering One Hundred Twenty Years of The Andover National Bank", 1826 - 1964.
Goldsmith , Bessie; "Townswoman's Andover"
"Business History of Andover", 250th Anniversary Souvenir, 1896, pg. 23.

Owners;
Phebe H. Sibley et alii
Moses Foster - Oct. 5, 1882 - b. 69 p. 531
Andover National Bank - Jan. 1, 1883 - b. 72 p. 56
Andover National Bank - Sept. 10, 1956 - b. 839 p. 499 transfer of all real estate and assets in 1865 document as a National Bank
Andover and Merrimack National Bank - 1956 merger
Merrimack Valley National Bank - 1957 - merger
Bay Banks, Incorporated - 1964 - Holding Company
BayBank Merrimack Valley - 1976 - Name changed
Fleet Bank - 1991 - merger
Bank of America - 1996 - merger
Bank Boston N. A. - Successor to Bay Bank N. A.
Twenty Three Main St. LLC - Sept. 1, 1998 - b. 5168 p. 21

Inventory Data:

StreetMain St
PlaceAndover Center
Historic DistrictIndividual National Register Listing
Historic NameAndover National Bank
Present UseBank of America
Original UseBank, retail, professional offices
Construction Date1889
SourceERDS, ENRDL
Architectural StyleOther
Architect/BuilderHartwell & Richardson of Boston
Foundationstone & granite
Wall/TrimBrick
Roofasphalt
Major AlterationsRear addition facing on Central St. 1970's Renovations to windows and interior 1990's
Conditiongood
Acreageless than one acre
Settingcommercial business district
Map and parcel55-98
MHC NumberANV.327
Recorded byStack/Mofford; Brian Lee,(cwo) J. Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date enteredJuly 1992, 3/2014

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