Queens County Savings Bank
Why it's listed
Built in 1953-54 on Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, this brick bank branch was deliberately styled after Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Architect Harold O. Carlson gave it a tall six-stage central tower with clock faces, a belfry and a spire, flanked by two-story gabled wings laid in Flemish bond. Inside, a one-ton Liberty Bell replica cast in France sits in the lobby, and large pictures of Revolutionary scenes hang behind the teller area. The bank was the first financial institution in a neighborhood largely developed after World War II, and its tower is visible across the community. Bank president Joseph Upton presented the design as a symbol of thrift, freedom and American values. The building opened on January 15, 1954, with patriotic ceremony and gifts, drew thousands of accounts within days, and welcomed school groups. Its rear wing originally housed a branch of the public library. It is recognized for its architecture and its role in local social history.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bank is a distinguished example of post-World War II Georgian Revival commercial design. It was the first financial institution in Kew Gardens Hills and has been a neighborhood landmark since opening in 1954. Its founders also treated it as a patriotic symbol of American values, with a Liberty Bell replica and school visits.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000620, listed June 16, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 75-44 Main St., Kew Gardens Hills |
|---|---|
| County | Queens |
| Listed | June 16, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000620 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1953-1954 |
| Architect / builder | Carlson, Harold O. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals / Georgian Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a financial institution; the original windows have been replaced, and a modern drive-through canopy and ATM have been added. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.72267, -73.82026 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000620.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7270757
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.