Bank of Nova Scotia – 1914 to 1954
Built and opened for business just before the outbreak of World War One, the handsome building at 54-54 King street was first used by the Bank of Nova Scotia.
With an exterior of Ohio canyon stone and an interior denominated by terra cotta finishings, it was a handsome addition to the row of building along the south branch of King street east between john and Hughson streets.
By 1954, the Bank of Scotia had located further west near James street in a larger building, the 1914 building was for sale. The next year it was purchased by the Royal Trust firm which remained at that location until 1966.
Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.
July 12, 2012 at 11:12 am
It eventally became a good restaurant called The Overdraft that like many other businesses did not survive the decline of downtown.
Built to look like a bank vault to give customers a sense of security, a popular style for bank buildings, many survive around the city. What a beautiful stretch of architecture the south of King was from John (with the original post office, not the replacement one there today) to the Birks building at James with the old rounded Provident Building at Hughson. “Quick, Mr. Peabody, to the way-back machine.”
July 12, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Great comment – thanks Doug