First National Bank in Fleetwood
Also known as: First National Bank of Fleetwood; Kutz Brothers Store and Hosiery Mill
Why it's listed
Built in 1898 as a store with a hosiery factory on its upper floors, the three-story brick building at the corner of Main and Franklin Streets in Fleetwood was bought by the First National Bank in 1919 and remodeled into a bank by 1921. The remodeling replaced the original wooden porch and storefront with a monumental stone front on the first floor, with large keystoned arches, Ionic pilasters, and a projecting entrance set at 45 degrees to the intersection. The bank was founded in 1907 by Daniel F. Kelchner, the first president, and it was the first bank in Fleetwood. During the Great Depression, the bank did not open on March 6, 1933, under the national bank holiday. It reopened in January 1934 as First National Bank in Fleetwood after a reorganization. The building also served as the borough post office until 1959 and as a civic center housing community rooms for local groups. The bank rehabilitated the building in 1999.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant as the home of a local banking institution that was central to Fleetwood's 20th-century growth, and as a locally significant example of early 20th-century commercial architecture. Its 1919-1921 stone front, with heavy arches and Ionic pilasters, gives it a Renaissance Revival character not found elsewhere in Fleetwood. The bank's survival through the 1933 Bank Holiday and reorganization is also presented as part of its importance.
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 05000449, listed May 20, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Main and Franklin St., Fleetwood |
|---|---|
| County | Berks County |
| Listed | May 20, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000449 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1919-1954 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian / Renaissance Revival (arguably, as a result of a vernacular remodeling) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in 1999; the bank continues to occupy the building. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.45560, -75.81795 (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 05000449.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5453397
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.