First National Bank of Glassboro

Text

The First National Bank was located on the southwest corner of Main and High Streets at the current location of the Glassboro Municipal Building. The building was constructed in 1892 with quarried stone.

The bank's story started in 1884 when lobbyists began a movement to charter a bank in Glassboro. Three years later, in 1887, the bank was insured, opening in 1888 in a former shoe repair shop, previously occupied by George Shields. This building was eventually moved to the back of the building lot in order to erect the new bank building, which was built in 1892.

The stockholders of the bank elected Woodward Warrick, John P. Whitney, Dr. Jacob Iszard, Thomas C. Allen, Robert Clark, J.A. Bodine, Samuel Garwood, William Iszard, and Samuel A. Eastlack as the directors of the bank. The bank was named “The First National Bank of Glassboro.” In December of 1887, the directors of the bank chose Mr. A.S. Emmel as the cashier. He was an officer at the Cumberland National Bank for twelve years.

This was the first bank built in Glassboro. Prior to this bank being built, the people of Glassboro had to travel (by horse) into Woodbury. Once the bank was built in Glassboro, it was heavily patronized and the business grew quickly.  As the bank grew, so did the town's population. The addition of the First National Bank greatly influenced Glassboro's prosperity.

By 1926, there was so much business at the bank, that a larger bank was needed.

The bank purchased land on the southeast corner of High and Main Streets directly across the street from the first bank building. In 1926 this new building was constructed(Currently used by Rowan University's College of Communication and Creative Arts). 

The stone bank building was purchased by the borough of Glassboro and was used as the town's municipal building. This building served as the Borough Hall for the next forty-three years, until, the Borough of Glassboro needed additional space. The stone building was demolished in 1970 and in 1971 and replaced with the present Borough Hall.

Help support the project:

The Glassboro Memory Mapping Project is made possible through the kindness of our community volunteers. Please contact us to contribute information or to help with the project.