Belfast National Bank
| Company type | Bank |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | 1857 |
| Headquarters | Belfast, Maine , United States |
| Products | Banking services |
The Belfast National Bank stands as a notable historic commercial edifice situated at the junction of Main and Beaver Streets in downtown Belfast, Maine. Constructed in 1879 with an addition completed twelve years afterward, it ranks among the most ornately designed buildings within the city. The structure was conceived by architect George M. Harding and earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Description and history
Positioned on a triangular parcel at the complex intersection where Main, Beaver, and Church Streets converge, the Belfast National Bank Building is part of the city's historic commercial core. This two-and-a-half-story brick construction is characterized by mansard roofs extending along its longer elevations, meeting at a gable-capped single-bay side oriented toward the intersection. The gable and dormers are embellished with decorative cresting and feature Gothic lancet-style windows, a motif that recurs on the building's shorter facade. The ground level contains contemporary storefront windows, while the second story showcases sash windows topped with intricately carved lintels.
Portland-based architect George M. Harding designed the building, which was erected between 1878 and 1879 by local craftsman Israel Wood Parker. Its creation coincided with Belfast's height as a center for shipping and shipbuilding industries. Harding and Parker also worked together on the adjacent Masonic Hall, located at this same intersection. The building was originally commissioned for the Belfast National Bank, an institution that had been operating from rented premises since 1857.