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533 NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) RECEIVED OMB No. 1024-0018 2280 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Nri.K APR 2 0 2004 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form -UES This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "X" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested.If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a).
Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name Engine House No. 6 other names/site number. 2.Location street & number. 480 Howard Street n/a not for publication city or town Lawrence n/a vicinity stateMassachusetts code MA county Essex code et5 009 _ zip code 01841 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this te nomination O request for determination of eligibility meetsthe documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Histeric Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property @ meets does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant - nationally statewide E Tocally.
(- See continuation sheet for additional comments.) setoy tredher national Regrster. Dtrector 4/13/04 Signature of certifying official/Title Cara H. Metz, State Historic Preservation Officer Massachusetts Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property - meets - does not meet the National Register criteria. (- See continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification I, hereby certify that this property is: D entered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined not eligible for the National Register - removed from the National Register - other (explain): teio 11. Beall TTo4 Engine House #6 Name of Property 5.
Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) - private xpublic-local - public-State -public-Federal Essex, MA County and State (Check only one box) xbuilding(s) _district _ site _ structure _ object Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing 1 Noncontributing building sites structures 1 2 objects Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) n/a 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) GOVERNMENT: fire station Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) GOVERNMENT: fire station Z.
Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Colonial Revival/Victorian Eclectic Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundationbrick walls brick, granite roof other asphalt shingles granite trim Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Engine House No. 6 Lawrence (Essex), MA Section number 7 Page_1 Setting Engine House No. 6 is located atop Prospect Hill in the city of Lawrence, MA. Lawrence lies approximately ten miles east of Lowell, and abuts the New Hampshire border to the north.
The Engine House sits directly across Howard Street from the John Rollins School (NR 2000), whose tall clock tower doubles as a fire bell alarm system. Due to its steeply graded location, the Engine House contains a basement floor that is below Howard Street and not visible from the front of the building. The surrounding neighborhood consists primarily of multi-story wood frame residences, although some buildings have first floor commercial units. In the eastern section of Lawrence, Prospect Hill affords views of the downtown section to the west, and is visible to cars passing on the nearby interstate highway. Although the Rollins School is the center of attention due to its clock tower, the Engine House's presence provides an additional municipal feature to the neighborhood. Exterior Engine House No.
6 was erected in 1895-96, just three years after the Rollins School, and addressed the need for a public service presence on Prospect Hill. The building is strong and imposing, massive enough not to be dwarfed by the larger school. The composition of the façade is red brick, accented with North Conway (NH) granite string courses that encircle the building, delineating the floors, and copper details (photo #1). Granite sills provide a continuing horizontal presence, and granite blocks trim oddly situated windows on the east and north facades. Befitting its residential surroundings, the building possesses a porch (since enclosed), substantial windows, and a multi-dormered roof. A rounded bay centered on its north side, facing Platt Street, takes advantage of the view afforded on the steep hill.
A modern, slant-roof addition on the northeast corner of the Howard Street façade includes an entrance doorway. A steep gabled roof is surmounted by a hexagonal cupola and copper weathervane. Howard Street Façade (East) The front façade has two large vehicular doors for firefighting apparatus, separated by a brick column facing the street. The lower portion of the granite stringcourse is intersected by the bay doors. Atop the column is a decorative concrete medallion with intertwined letters L[awrence] F [ire] D[epartment] (photo #5). Two sets of three 1/1 windows take up most of the second floor façade.
The center window of both groups contains a top half consisting of a stained glass window with a firefighting motif (a fireman's hat and a leather fire bucket), while the bottom half (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page_2 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Engine House No. 6 Lawrence (Essex), MA is a wood panel. Above the second floor belt course, a three-brick wide band of gradually protruding bricks which help support the roof. A copper-sheathed dormer protrudes from the roof and contains three evenly spaced 1/1 aluminum replacement windows. Centered atop the roof is a hexagonal copper-sheathed cupola, capped by a steep roof and weathervane, which has the date 1895 carved into it.
The cupola was designed to pull air in to ventilate the room where hay and oats were stored for the fire wagon horses. This food was kept in a loft at the rear of the building above the original stable. Immediately to the right of the bay doors is a recessed portion of the façade. In place of the original wooden porch, an enclosed section was built during the 1970s and is currently painted green. An oval window is located on the second story of this recess, with spider-web muttons accented by a surrounding granite block sunburst (photo #3). Platt Street Facade (North) This side of the building is three stories high due to its side hill location. A semi-circular observation bay is centered on this façade, and contains three full-sized windows on the top two stories, with smaller windows at the basement level (photo #2).
At the basement level is a band of protruding bricks on which the lowest granite band rests. Some evidence of remortaring is evident at this level. Above each basement window is a fan- shaped brick lintel. On either side of the bay at basement level is a single window, bringing the total number of north façade basement windows to five. Additionally, two oversized windows are set between the first andsecond stories, flanking the bay and dominating the north façade. Each is capped with a granite lintel. Set between the bay window and the oversized right-hand window on the first floor is a narrow window, disturbing the otherwise symmetrical façade. Another large copper dormer is similar in massing and fenestration to the Howard Street façade. There is a second section at each end of the Platt Street façade.
The section closest to Howard Street contains the first floor enclosed porch as well as a second story window, while the western wing contains three windows, one at each level. (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page_3 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Engine House No. 6 Lawrence (Essex), MA Rear Façade (West) On the north side of the rear facade, closest to Platt Street, a recessed wing has three windows, one at each level. The remainder of this façade contains three windows on each of the first two floors, as well as a large wooden bay door with an arched lintel, centered between two windows at the basement level. A small arched recess at the basement level facilitated the removal of animal waste during the building's earliest years.
Side Façade (South) The south side of the engine house (to the left if facing the front) does not expose the basement level due to the hilly terrain. This façade is dominated by a brick chimney which has two decorative recessed panels at the first floor level, and two decorative checkerboard patterns of brick at the second floor level (photo #4). The chimney, one bay wide at the first floor, gradually narrows on the left side as it reaches the second floor. The chimney interrupts the granite string course between floors, but it interestingly contains small granite ornamentation at that level which suggests the continuation of the band. Granite capstones cover the brick where the chimney narrows. At the roof, the chimney bisects a large copper unwindowed dormer.
To the right of the chimney, closest to Howard Street, are two windows at both levels; while to the left of the chimney are three windows on the second floor, one on the first floor, and a door with a fan-shaped granite lintel. Above it, on the second floor, is a large window with an overhanging beam and winch above the lintel that at one time was used for hauling bales of hay and bags of oats to the second floor for storage. Granite Curbing A rounded granite curb surrounds the lot, elevating and separating the grassy lot from the surrounding sidewalks. A flagpole (ca. 1950) is set amid the plot of grass by the entrance at the corners of Howard and Platt Streets. (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page_ 4 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Engine House No.
6 Lawrence (Essex), MA Interior The basement's outside entrance is a bay door on the west (rear) façade: it is also accessed by an interior stairway. Primarily used for equipment storage, its utility has changed as motorized vehicles replaced horse-drawn ones. The basement also has a work room located along the north wall within the circular bay. The building's boiler takes up much of the south wall. Engine House No. 6's office and administrative space is located on the north side of the first floor. An exterior porch is decorated with a tile floor inlaid with "LFD." This porch leads to a foyer with an oak staircase to the upper floors and a traditional brass fire pole.
Beyond the foyer is an anteroom located in the north wall bay, which contains a former fire alarm system that was originally connected to a bell inside the Rollins School's characteristic clock tower across the street (photo #7). To the left of the anteroom is the main garage that houses the fire engines. True to its historic nature it is paneled in oak, with oak beams and ceiling moldings (photo #6). The present fire alarm system is mounted along the north side wall. At the rear of the garage, to the left, is a storage room for extra hoses that are kept coiled. Adjacent to this room is a hose drying shaft. A tin-sheathed and slanted floor permits drainage of excess water from the hoses following runs (photo #11). The fire house kitchen is located at the rear of the first floor in an area formerly used as a stable. This room contains an outside exit to the south side of the building.
With the first floorprimarily given over to the storage of vehicles and to office space, the second floor contains the firefighters' living quarters. Staircases are located on either side of the circular bay (photo #8). Located within the bay is a small bedroom reserved for the shift captain. Toward the rear on this side are bathroom and shower facilities: of note here is a carved oak shaving cabinet above the sink. Along the front stairs is the fire pole to the first floor. Three bedrooms for fire fighters overlook Howard Street to the front; two of these rooms contain decorative stained glass windows featuring fire-related themes (photos #9-10). The remainder of the second floor consists of two large rooms. The one facing Howard Street is used as an assembly and recreation room, while the rear room functions as an exercise space.
It was originally used to store hay and oats for the horses, as evidenced by an exterior winch that is anchored to a large beam that penetrates through the wall. (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 - Engine House No. 6 Lawrence (Essex), MA The attic is a single, unfinished room, with three windows on the Howard Street side (east) that overlook the Rollins School. A door exits to an exterior balcony on the north side, above the semi-circular bay. A square wooden hatch in the center of the floor leads to a hose drying shaft that runs though the building to the first floor garage. Unlike many older fire stations, Engine House No. 6 does not contain a tower for this purpose.
A wooden enclosed shaft leads from the cupola through the floor - originally providing fresh air to aerate the feed stored below. (photo The unexpected reminders of the station's past and the anachronistic fixtures provide Engine House No. 6 with a tangible link to an era of horse-drawn fire wagons, in a building that still serves its original purpose of public safety. Archaeological Description While no ancient Native American sites are located on the engine house property, it is possible that archaeological evidence of Native American occupation is present. Six sites are known in the general area (within one mile). In general, however, the potential for recovering significant Native American resources on the nominated property is low. The engine house occupies a steeply graded location over 1,000 feet from the nearest wetlands.
The property may have originally been well drained, however, construction of the house, which has a basement and covers nearly the entire lot (10,000 square feet), has destroyed most post-glacial soil associations on the parcel. The characteristics described above represent poor locational criteria for the presence of ancient Native American sites at this location. There is also a low potential for locating historic archaeological resources on the engine house property. Historic period resources that predate the engine house have not been identified for this location. In addition, any resources that may have been present were destroyed during construction of the engine house. (end) Engine House #6 Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance