Ion Bank Executive Offices
251 Church St.
Today, the former Naugatuck Savings Bank Building is home to the Ion Bank Executive Offices. Naugatuck Savings Bank officially became Ion Bank in 2013.
Organized in 1870, Naugatuck Savings Bank’s first headquarters were at the Tuttle Manufacturing Company (commonly known as the “Hoe Shop”). The bank was established to support local industry workers, such as those from Naugatuck Malleable Iron and the borough’s rubber companies, by providing loans to help them build homes in the community. According to bank records, the first deposit was made by Ella R. Peterson, a 15-year-old African American girl native to Naugatuck, for $5. Julian Peterson, Ella’s father, made the second deposit.
A.J. Pickett, the first secretary and treasurer of the bank, handled Ella and Julian’s deposits at his desk, which is currently in our collection (graciously donated by Ion Bank).
After 1873, the bank generally did business from the office of whoever was the treasurer at the time. In 1910, the New York firm of Crowe, Lewis & Wickenhofer designed a pressed buff brick and limestone building for the bank’s permanent home. The building was carefully designed to complement the Neo-classical architecture of the nearby Howard Whittemore Memorial Library. The northern addition to the building was added in 1934.
Designated as part of the Naugatuck Center Historic District on July 30, 1999.
Naugatuck Savings Bank c.1929
Interior of Bank c.1905
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service (June 22, 1999) - Naugatuck Center Historic District National Register of Historic Places Inventory
Images of America - Naugatuck & Naugatuck Revisited Dana J. Blackwell and The Naugatuck Historical Society (November 1, 1996) Ron Gagliardi (August 25, 2004)
Images of America - Naugatuck & Naugatuck Revisited Dana J. Blackwell and The Naugatuck Historical Society (November 1, 1996) Ron Gagliardi (August 25, 2004)
McKim, Mead & White Architects - Leland M. Roth (1985)
Ion Bank Executive Offices - 10/2024 Photo Credits: Taylor Bennett
Ion Bank Executive Offices - 9/2024 Photo Credits: Taylor Bennett
Excerpt from Naugatuck Daily News – Saturday, August 31, 1946
World War II - History Edition
Bank Division Ready For Service
A bank division was organized as a part of the defense council in the fall of 1941 under the direction of William G. Boies, president of the Naugatuck National Bank.
A program was prepared to be put into operation by the Naugatuck National Bank and the Naugatuck Savings Bank if emergency necessitated their services. In addition, Mr. Boies was in charge of the budget of the Council.
November 13, 2019 the Ion Bank Foundation presented the Historical Society with a check for $25,000 towards the creation of the Naugatuck History Museum at the Tuttle House. Ion is sponsoring the large Parlor room within the museum that will hold exhibits, as well as, be a flexible space for community events.
We are so grateful to everyone at Ion for believing in us and supporting us. As one of our volunteers said - "this is Naugatuck supporting Naugatuck at its finest". Thank you to Kathy Mancini McPadden for being one of our biggest cheerleaders.
