Chase will close Seaford branch

Since the pandemic, the Chase bank on Merrick Road, Seaford, has had two busy ATM's and safe deposit boxes, but no teller staff. Chase has announced that the branch will close on December 8, 2021. I suspect (but could be wrong) that the closure will end a hundred years of banking in part of that building.

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Yes, part of that structure was once a funeral parlor operated by the nearby landowner, However, a 1936 article in the Brooklyn Eagle says that Mary Southard's funeral parlor was on Jackson Avenue. Okay, this post is going to need clarifications and corrections.

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At one time, I think it was Fort Neck Bank. It was also Security National Bank. Whether Manufacturers Hanover Bank or Chemical Bank was there, I am confused. It would not surprise me that the sequence of banks topped five.

Comments are appreciated! 

Sterling Bank to Webster

Sterling National Bank of Montebello, New York, has announced that it will merge with Webster Bank of Waterbury, Connecticut. Situated on the northwest corner of Jackson Avenue and Merrick Road, Long Island Savings Bank (originally of Centereach) replaced Powell's Hotel. Astoria Savings purchased LISB in 1998, and Sterling bought out Astoria in 2017. Now Webster is in talks to purchase Sterling. 

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For a 1976 view, please see HERE.

Merrick Road n19 bus will have reduced service

As of April 9, 2017, the n19 bus route on Merrick Road will suffer service reductions. The new schedule is linked HERE. There will be no service during five mid-day hours. Thirteen "rush hour" trips will run.
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I believe the Merrick Road route was first provided before 1950 by Utility Bus Lines, from Freeport to Patchogue.  I rode it several times through Seaford in July of 1960 or 1961. At that time, a zoned fare was in place, with the operator using a ticket dispenser after the rider stated his destination.
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The loss of this service is a result of Supervisor Ed Magano's budget.

Merrick Road & Jackson Ave.

A reader inquired whether I had a photo of Powell's Hotel. Yes, I took several street photos during our first years in Seaford, and about 2010 I scanned some. However, with too many of my scans, I did not record the date of the photo itself. The hotel above, on the northwest corner of Merrick Road and Seaford Avenue, was replaced by the Long Island Savings Bank, currently named Astoria Bank, and in 2017 to be purchased by Sterling National Bank of Rockland County.

When Merrick Road was widened after the above photo, the electric distribution lines were moved behind the buildings.  Also, please note the fire alarm call box on the pole.  I have been unable to learn the year when the Seaford Fire Department introduced these telegraph alarm boxes, nor have I been able to learn when they were removed.

Clicking on a photo will enlarge it.