Oyster Bay Bank Building facts for kids
The Oyster Bay Bank Building is a historic place in Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York. It was built in 1891 and was the very first bank in the area. Over the years, many different groups used the building. These included a group called the Masons, and even Theodore Roosevelt when he was the Governor of New York. A famous architect named Edward Durell Stone also used the building. Today, you can learn about this special building on the Oyster Bay History Walk.
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History of the Oyster Bay Bank Building
A Look Back: The Building's Early Days
The Oyster Bay Bank Building was built in 1891. It was made of strong brick and first had three and a half floors, plus a basement. The main floor was used by the bank itself. The people in charge of the bank rented out the other floors.
- The third floor was rented by the Masons, a community group called Matinecock Lodge #806.
- The second floor was used by different doctors and lawyers.
- Part of the basement had a pool hall and a tobacco shop.
Theodore Roosevelt's Connection
The Oyster Bay Bank Building has a special link to Theodore Roosevelt, who later became a U.S. President. In 1900, when he was the Governor of New York, he rented several rooms on the second floor.
In 1901, Theodore Roosevelt joined the Matinecock Lodge. He would attend their meetings on the third floor whenever his busy schedule allowed.
Even after he became President, Roosevelt continued to use the building. A newspaper from 1902 called it the "little White House." It reported that a flag was brought from Washington and raised there.
In the summer of 1905, the Oyster Bay Bank Building was chosen for President Roosevelt's telegraph office. This was where important messages were sent and received. His other office staff worked nearby in the Moore's Building.
The Building's Big Move
One of the most amazing things about this building is that it was actually lowered! When it was first built, the building sat about ten feet back from the sidewalk. There were wide steps leading up to the entrance.
On May 20, 1927, local workers did something incredible. They dug under the basement. Then, using hundreds of jacks and rollers, they slowly lowered the huge building. They also moved it forward, closer to the street.
This difficult job was finished in just 18 hours! This was on the same day that Charles Lindbergh made his famous solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. After the building was lowered and moved, a three-story addition was built onto the back.
Now, people could enter the main floor directly from the street. With these changes, the Oyster Bay Bank Building could better serve the growing community of Oyster Bay. Recently, the building has been updated inside and out. This helps it remain an important and attractive building on Audrey Avenue.
