Nomination for Old Harbor U.S. Life Saving Station

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SNOILOI Form 10-306 (Oct. 1972) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR FEDERAL PROPERTIES (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) PHO22932@ATASHEET STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: Barnstable FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE AUG 18 NAME COMMON: Old Harbor Coast Guard Station No. 43-89 AND/OR HISTORIC: 01a Harbor U.S.

bife saving Station for °G LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: NE of CHATHAM ON NAU North Beach CITY OR TOWN: off Chatham STATE: VICINITY (Cape Cod NS) Station) BRACH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Iwelfth COUNTY: CODE 25 CODE Massachusetts 3 CLASSIFICA TION CATEGORY (Check One) - District x Building Site Structure Barnstable 001 OWNERSHIP Object [x Public Private Both Public Acquisition: In Process Being Considered ACCESSIBLE STATUS TO THE PUBLIC X Occupied * Yes: Unoccupied Restricted - Preservation work Unrestricted in progress PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) ] Agricultural Commercial Educational Entertainment AGENC Government | Industrial Military Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific Transportation E Comments Other (Specify) *Former owner has a 5-year occupaney rts.

National Park Service REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS: (If applicable) North Atlantic Region CITY OR TOWN: Boston, Massachusetts LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Courthouse, Barnstable, Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER: STREET AND NUMBER: 150 Causeway Street STATE: Massachusetts CODE 25 CITY OR TOWN: Barnstable STATE: Massachusetts CODE OOI Barnstable REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Certificates of Appraisals DATE OF SURVEY: 1963 & 1973 [ Federal DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Hg. Files, Cape Cod National Seashore STREET AND NUMBER: 7 State County 2Loca175 AU6O7 INATIONAL GISTER CITY OR TOWN: Wellfleet (South) STATE: Massachusetts CODE 25 STATE: COUNTY: ENTRY NUMBER FOR NPS USE ONLY 1.

DESCRIPTION CONDITION (Check One) - Deteriorated -Excellent - Good (Check One) - Fair x Altered - Unaltered DESCRIBETHEPRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE -Moved Ruins - Unexposed (Check One) Eriginal Site The Old Harbor Life Saving--U.S.C.G. station was built about 1897. Following the gradual replacement of the simple rectangular, pitched-roof structures of 1872, the Life Saving Service built several stations in the style of Chatham's Old Harbor. Truncated or jerkin-head gable is a change in appearance from the simple pitched roof of the older stations. Their appearance was further changed by adding to the roof, an off-center tower which no doubt added to living space a more elevated view of the sea. All these stations were, of course, shingled in the Cape tradition. alterations have bean made externally since the building was sold to a pri- vate party in 1947.

(it has been owned by three different parties since that date, and is now Federal property). Internally, the structure has not been altered to a great degree though extensive repairs would have to be made if the building were to be used interpretively. There are two small out-buildings, originally storage sheds, on the site--these are now used as dwellings. Very rapid encroachment by the sea makes some sort of preservation action vital. If the station is not moved very soon, the ocean will claim it as it has several other such stations in recent years. Significance: 2nd Order Longitude and Latitude: See Section 10 Acreage: 2 acres Recommended Treatment: Preservation Preliminary cost estimate for above: $25,000 Possible relocation: $35,000 Photograph enclosed.

RECEIVED TTI10 APR1 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER STRUCTIONS Z SIGNIFIC PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) - Pre-Columbian - 16th Century 15th Century - 17th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Aboriginal Education - Prehistoric Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture Invention **Architecture Landscape Art Architecture xx Commerce Literature ** Communications } Military Conservation Music 18th Century * 19th Century * 20th Century - Political ] Religion/Phi- losophy Science - Sculpture Social/Human- itarian - Theater Transportation - Urban Planning - Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

From Monomoy to Provincetown, some forty miles, there remains only the Old Harbor U.S. Life Saving--U.S.C.G. station as the oldest of these buildings remaining on the shores of Cape Cod National Seashore. Today, with the modern Coast Guard and its maritime, seaplane and electronic equipment, this old station is a rare reminder of the days of Sail, the days when shipwrecks were commonplace. (Over 2000 shipwrecks have occurred on this 40-mile, inhospitable beach). Heroism of the highest order was made manifest by the acts of the small crews who manned the surf- boats and set up the elaborate breeches buoy equipment, to save lives in unbelieveably terrible weather. In the first five years of operation, this station's crews rescued 21 persons by surfboat and removed 13 people by breeches buoy. Old Harbor Station was abandoned February 10, 1947 , and sold as surplus.

In retrospect, the old Life Saving Service (which became the Coast Guard in 1915) was the single most important activity on Cape Cod for seventy years--add another 75 years of sea rescue work by the Massachusetts Humane Society, from 1795, and we have over a century and a half of heroism which should not be forgotten. In World War I and II, beach patrols, using these stations, were a vital part of Coast defences. Although Old Harbor station was built at the turn of the century, when new methods were introduced, its historical value, as representative of a vital part of the Cape's past, is obvious. Soon, no Coast Guard buildings will remain. Nauset Beach, on which the station is located, is subject to very rapid natural erosion. Any moving of the building to a new location on this fragile sandspit will be only a temporary solution to the problem of preserving the structure.

While moving it to the mainland would be a more permanent solution, costs would be high and its historical integrity and interest would be reduced. There is a possibility that local groups might be interested in par- ticiating in efforts to preserve this old structure.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Life Savers of Cape Cod by J.W. Dalton (1908) Reports of the Life Saving Service (1897-1915). 10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY R CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds NW " NE SE SW APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: 1. FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Edison Pike Lohr, park Historian BUSINESS ADDRESS: Cape Cod National Seashore STREET AND NUMBER: CITY OR TOWN: South Wel1fleet 12. CERTIFICATION OF NOMINATION State Liaison Officer recommendation: * Yes No - None ;abetk R.

Ameaon slayo Liaisan Offeer Siénature In compliance with Executive Order 11593, I hereby nominate this property to the National Register, certify- ing that the State Liaison Officer has been allowed 90 days in which to present the nomination to the State Re- view Board and to evaluate its significance. The recom- National State LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds 41 41 52 69 55 47 COUNTY BOUNDARIES CODE CODE CODE CODE Representative Signature Title DATE: 7/24/73 PHONE: 349-3785 STATE Massachusetts 02663 NA TIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION CODE 25 I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register.

Attartoure Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Date 813t5 ATTEST: aduletenene Keeper of The I Date 8.15-25 GPO 938-449 22650 61643 M ST Nectt May ahon Cborainat ROUTING AND REVIEW SLIP THE ENCLOSED NOMINATIONS ARE ROUTED TO YOU FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE COR- RECTNESS AND ADEQUACY OF THE STATEMENTS AND EVALUATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN, SUPPLYING ADDITIONAL OR CORRECTIVE INFORMATION AS APPROPRIATE. REVIEWER WILL SIGN HIS NAME HEREON FOR LATER REFERENCE IF NECESSARY. USE ADDITIONAL SHEET FOR COMMENT IF NEEDED AND ATTACH HERETO. NOMINATED PROPERTY: 0LD HARBOR COAST GUARD STATION FROM AREA OF: Eape Cod N.S. t more it once, but it is a doomed structure. If no HABS drawings hame bee made, the should be. PD soneo pacheon NV.Mrore, If. CHIEF HISTORIAN: O.N.

Htalemant on Cerut Guard beiry formal fis hife favin Jeuree is peofably meonect PLEASE RETURN TO REGISTRAR, LCS BY 3pc SIGNED: CHIEF HISTORICAL ARCHITECT: I concur with nommiation to N.R. Onder of sgnifiiance is more likely 3ad. MAR 1975 _PR SIGNED: REGISTRAR, LCS MAR 1 2 1975 KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER: sonding-me a RECOMMENDED FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER ENTERED ON THE LCS MAR 1% 1975 C. O. Meek Registrar, LCS INT: 4937-74TBEG143A2585 - -- Property Old Harbor U.S. Life Saving Station-- U.S.C.G. Station State Massachusetts Working Number 4.1.75.563 TECHNICAL - Lst/Kony cantt be ckecke Photos. Maps Barustable pel 8.14.25 CONTROL OK - 75 HISTORIAN rou ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN I guass its zigmufriant as eraimple of Life savrn Statron and for histouia considerationo. Accept? e ene eite leueion, bet Fasum d i olica, 4 10-7 ARCHEOLOGIST M.

Ecunes 8Apr75 OTHER HAER Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Accm Cole 4.11.75 BRANCH CHIEF National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 10-7-75 Send-back 4.18.75 Re-submit 8.11.25 Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 KEEPER Hunth AUG 1 8 1975 INT: 2106-74 NAME OF PROPERTY Qld Harka US Life Sauug Statues STATE MASS U.S.C. A Statian The attached National Register Inventory-Nomination form is being returned to your office for clarification of the information indicated below. PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM WHEN THE NOMINATION IS RESUBMITTED. Description: 8 Statement of Significance: 9 10 Bibliography: Geographícal Data - - Acreage: Lat + Ley.

car tbe checked UTM Reference (s) : Verbal Boundary Description: 12 Certification: Photographic Coverage: Map coverage: Please scd a kuldop Weo sugget that you sed UTM refeeme Other: Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to on the National Register staff, telephone _ Thank you for your attention to the above items. chaildsten Chief, Branch of Registratio Date: 1.18.25 INT:2105-74 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 8 Form No. 10-301 Rev. 7-72 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Barnstable FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE AUG 1.8 L 875 - NAME COMMON: LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: Old Harbor Coast Gurad Station No. 43-89 AND/OR HISTORIC: 01d Harbor U.S.

Life Saving Station -- USCG Station North Beach CITY OR TOWN: Off Chatham STATE: CODE COUNTY: 25 Massachusetts MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: Barnstable U.S.C.G.,Shatham Quadrangle, Mass. SCALE: 1:24,000 DATE: 1961 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. RECEIVED APR, KATIONAL RÉGISTER CODE 001 INT: 155-72 tham Port Cranberry Bog H A Quarry Quarry BARC easide DEPOT s* Pond River Mitch Stage Island Morrís Island REFUGE DLIP North Chatham M Cem Allen Pt Tidal Flat ROAD Black BM Pond Chatham Mill Pond IBRIDGE Toms Neck Tern Island Aunt Lydias Cove A U /Chatham .Lighthouse 12. 17 Tidal Flat 28 20 Old Harbor Coast "Guard Station 191190 RECEIVED 1915 NATIONAL REGISTER 35 33 43 52 52 Form No. 10-301 Rev.

7-72 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Barnstable FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER ALG 1-8 975 - = Z - NAME cOMMON: Old Harbor Coast Guard Station No. 43-89 AND/OR HISTORIC: O1d Harbor U. S. Life Saving Station LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: North Beach CITY OR TOWN: Off Chatham STATE: CODE 25 COUNTY: Barnstable Ma.ss. MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: U. S. G. S. Chatham Quadrangle, Mass. SCALE: 1: 24,000 DATE: 1961 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. 1911 150 RECEIVED APR+ 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 876 - 170 DATE CODE 001 EPARTMENT THE United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON, D.C.

20240 IN REPLY REFER TO: H34PC AUG 8 19/5 Memorandum To: Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation From: Federal Representative, National Park Service Subject: Resubmission of Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places Enclosed is the nomination of Old Harbor Coast Guard Station, in Cape Cod National Seashore, North Atlantic Region, National Park Service. This nomination is resubmitted with a full size map as requested by Mr. Herrington, Chief, Branch of Registration. Enclosure HHamhygoas ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACITSITTS AUG '1 8 1975 Date Entered Name Old Hacbor U.S. Life Saving Station U.S.C.G. Station Location Chatham vicinity Barnatable County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W. Brookce Hon. Gerry E. Studds Me. Robert . Ueley, Assistant Director, Park Historic Preservation Mx.

Douglas Nheeler, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fishand Wild1ife and Parks Regional Director, North Atlantic Region PR MMott Je 8/22/75 State Ilistoria Preservation Officer atrs. Elisabeth R. Anaden Ibtadulive Dizeator Hassachusetts ilistorical Coumission 40 Bescon Street Boston, Mansachusetts 02108 INT: 2950-75 puy NR Data Sheet DATE: 3/16/77 Reviewer INTTIATS: geoßo NR DOE Aug: 18, 1975 (8418-15) NAMEAS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: Old Harbor U.S. Life Saving Station OTHER NANES: (USCG/SfatioN) LOCATION: STREET & NUMBER NE of Chatham on Nauset Beach CITY. TOWN VICINITY OF Chatham STATE Mass. CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT viCidty 12th COUNTY 001 OWNER OF PROPERTY: (circle) ADMINISTRATOR(underiine) NPS REGION: (CIRCLE) FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME): /at.

Park Serirces, Not N.ATLANTIC MID ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST MIDWEST a cecssible to the SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST publicy FEATURES: INTERTOR - substantially intact- unknown - - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - _EXCELLENT - GOOD -FAIR EXTERIOR ENVIRONS Substantially intact-2 tiiknown.-5 Substanttally Intaot -. unknown _ not applicable - 8 _ Not applicable-9 -Interioi, exterior, environs not intact-o _DETERIORATED _UNALIERED -RUINS LALTERED _UNEXPOSED -Reconstructed _ORIGINAL SITE _MOVED _Unkncwn _U'nexcavated _Excavated ACCESS- Yes-restricted historic district? Yes-unrestricted access U'nknown YES WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT? IF YES, NAME: YES WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES. NO ADAPTIVE USE: NO Saved?

YES NO FUNCTION (S): (use vocabulary words) then- now- life savingstaton ane adapted b priate ue SIGNIFICANCE: ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC ARCHITECTURI -ECONOMICS -EDUCATION /LENGINEERING -EXPLORATION _INDUSTRY INVENTION Claims "first" YES NO -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _RELIGION _LAW/Gov't/politics _SCIENCE TUTESOR NO 34 SEREMOMANTA _MUSIC -PHILOSOPHY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -entertainment _health -recreation -settlement -TRANSPORTATION -socio/cultural REwaweopehet Natonal Seasinplanning - urban & commun -_OTHER (SPECIFY) - cE.

Station "'oldest?' YES "only" YES NO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: SHINGLE STYLE architect/m.builder: landscape/garden designer: interior decorator: ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role appropriate date) personal engineer: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: events institutional LDATES: DATE OF CONSTRUCTION (Specific date or 1/4 of century) */897 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) : SOURCE: (OF NOMINATION) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY: > Nat Park Seurce ACREAGE: (to nearest tenth ofan acre) 2 ries COMMENTS: (include architectural information here) FRAME, SHINGLING; /2 STORT WITH S- STORT CORBELED TOWER, MODIFIEO RECTANGLE, GABLED aND JERKINZHEAD ROOF SECTONS WITH GABLED AND SHER DORMERS, INTERIOR CHIMNEY, FRONT OFF -CENTER ENTRANCE, SERIN JMALL PORCH UNDER ROOF EXFENSION; -GABEE END ATTIE LUNETTE) MINÓR INTERIOR ALTRRATIONS; OUTBUILDINGS.

SHINGLE STYLE. OLDEST REMAINING ÇOAST GUARD STATION Di FAE SAORES OR CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE. SIGNIFICANCE:(maximum two sentences)