Piscataqua Savings

Bank building in Portsmouth NH 1877 / Strawbery Banke Archive Strawbery Banke Presents
HISTORIC PORTSMOUTH #83

One of the most significant commercial structures in Portsmouth was built after the Market Square fire of 1802. Once among the nation’s oldest continuously-used bank buildings, it was adapted to other use in the 1950s. Such notable lawyers as Jeremiah Mason, Levi Woodbury and Franklin Pierce occupied its upper floors. The original U-shaped design, still surviving here in this 1877 photograph, was later modified.

HISTORIC PHOTOS of the Greater Portsmouth Area appear here weekly

Market Square Portsmout, NH / Strawbery Banke archive

LINK: To Portsmouth Only Original Independent Bank

READER LETTER HELPS EXPLAIN PHOTO

THAT U-SHAPED BUILDING
There was a letter back February 8, 2006 that talked about a U-Shaped building and the writer wanted to know the location. It used to be located on Market Square. The left side of the building was the original home of the Portsmouth Savings Bank (now merged with BankNorth) and the right side was the Piscataqua Bank (with was recharted as the Piscataqua Exchange Bank and eventually the First National Bank of Portsmouth). The building stood on Market Square next to the current location of Breaking New Grounds. It was replaced in 1903 with the two granite-fronted edifices that are currently there. In case inquiring minds need to know, all of this "good stuff" is documented in a book at the Portsmouth Athenaeum on the History of the First National Bank of Portsmouth.
Kevin Lafond

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