Callicoon National Bank
Also known as: Delaware Free Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1913 at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets in Callicoon, this two-story bank building has a rockfaced bluestone front with a pedimented entrance, Ionic columns set between the side walls, a carved eagle panel and pressed metal cornices. Its other walls are brick. William Kohler, a local lumber dealer and bank director, designed it, and Jones, Beers and Company of Binghamton served as general contractor. The Callicoon National Bank had formed in 1909 after the failure of the Knapp Brothers Bank, and it built the new structure when it outgrew the earlier quarters. At opening it was considered among the largest bank buildings in Sullivan County. Inside, the banking room keeps a pressed metal ceiling and a vault, and a Masonic lodge hall occupies the second floor. The bank moved out in 1967, and the building became a library in 1970. It was listed for its architecture as a largely intact, locally interpreted example of early twentieth century Neo-classical bank design.
Significance in brief: The building is argued to be a distinctive and largely intact vernacular interpretation of early twentieth century Neo-classical small-town bank architecture. It keeps its historic layout, pressed metal ceilings, hardwood trim and steel vaults. It is one of Callicoon's most substantially built commercial buildings and one of the region's few examples of native bluestone construction.
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 94000048, listed February 18, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 133 Main St., Callicoon |
|---|---|
| County | Sullivan County |
| Listed | February 18, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94000048 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913 |
| Architect / builder | William Kohler, architect; Jones, Beers & Co., contractor |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival (Neo-classical) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Converted from a bank to library use after the bank moved out in 1967. The first floor serves as the Delaware Free Library, and the second-floor Masonic lodge hall remains in its original use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Callicoon Downtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.76632, -75.05856 (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 94000048.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5022039
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.