Wilkinsburg Bank - Part 1 Pawsburgh Photography 2024.03.23

Thanks to the Wilkinsburg Historical Society for the history of this bank building, and several historical photos! They are absolutely amazing! The first Wilkinsburg bank opened on this corner in June of 1896. There had been a house here that was razed. Names like Andrew Mellon, Richard Beatty Mellon, Henry Clay Frick, J. A. Strickler, and more were present at its inception. The original 14 foot wide building quickly became too small. They MOVED IT to the back of the lot and built this beautiful building in front of it in 1908. The stone and marble structure was designed by Mowbray and Uffinger, who specialized in bank buildings and bank vaults, involved in over 400 across the country. The interior of the first floor bank originally had massive marble columns and teller windows.

The Mezzanine Level is a half-story Executive Office space in the back of the first floor, behind the vault. You can see how the windows are different in this side view. Interestingly, the original photos only show five windows along the side. I have no information on the extension or any additions.

Wilkinsburg Bank became Mellon National Bank and Trust Co. in 1947, then Citizens Bank bought Mellon's banking operations in 2001. It remained Citizens Bank until it closed in 2020, ending 125 years of continuous banking services from 901 Wood St. The fate of the building remained questionable, until Citizens decided to donate the building to the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp (WCDC) in 2022! The WCDC is renovating the building into new commercial spaces for the community.