Nomination for Bigelow Block

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev.

10-74) 840064825 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OFTHE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATA SHEET FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED DATE ENTERED FEB 84975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME HISTORIC Bigelow Block AND/OR COMMON same 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER CITY, TOWN NE corner of Forest and Salem Streets Medford STATE Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION - VICINITY OF CODE 025 NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7th COUNTY Middlesex O1CODE CATEGORY DISTRICT X BUILDING(S) STRUCTURE SITE LOBJECT OWNERSHIP _PUBLIC XPRIVATE -_BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION - IN PROCESS _BEING CONSIDERED STATUS X OCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED -WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE X YES: RESTRICTED -YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO PRESENT USE -AGRICULTURE _MUSEUM X COMMERCIAL _PARK EDUCATIONAL X PRIVATE RESIDENCE _ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS _GOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL -TRANSPORTATION -MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME James Kurker STREET & NUMBER 63 Doonan Street CITY, TOWN Medford - VICINITY OF E LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION OUROUSE EGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETO Middlesex County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER STATE Massachusetts JAN2 8 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER 02155 CITY.

TOWN Cambridge Street Cambridge (STATE Massachusettsö 6 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1974 _FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN Boston Massachusetts Historical Commission Massachisetts 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION -EXCELLENT XGOOD - FAIR _DETERIORATED _RUINS -UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE _UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE *ORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE. DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Bigelow Block, built in 1886, is located at the major intersection of Forest and Salem Streets in Medford Square. Covered with red brick and sandstone, it is a triangular four-story commercial and residential structure, with the central curved apex of its facade facing southwest. Entrance doors are interspersed with large plate glass windows. Orig inally the four storefronts of the Bigelow Block were faced with large vertically divided panes of glass shielded by striped canvas awnings. The first story presently contains five remodelled commercial units, two with 20th c. storefronts and attached neon signs. The original red pressed brick and banded sandstone wall has been retained between the storefronts. The pedimented and decoratively incised sandstone entranceway to the residential units is in an excellent shape of preservation. The upper floors' exterior survives unaltered.

Between the first story and the cornice are three floors, each contraining three residential units. Each story's window arrangement is symmetrical with sixteen 2/2 windows. The exterior is visually defined by horizontal sandstone bands at each floor level. These bands are accented with rows of thin ornamental brickwork in bead and reel, corbelled sawtooth, rope and recessed brick patterns. cotta "1886" panel is situated on the Salem Street facade between the second and third stories. The major decorative element is located at the apex of the Bigelow Block facade. A three story copper bowed bay is topped by an ornately molded conical copper turret with an elaborate finial. Flanking the engaged turret are sandstone pilasters with molded panels and stylized Corinthian capitals. Each of the far corners of the facade exhibits plain sandstone block pilasters.

Projecting brick sections between the windows accentuate the verticality of the Block's design." A 3-story decorative iron fire escape is attached to the eastern side of the building's Salem Street facade. The building's cornice is embellished with raised brick sawtooth and dentiled borders surmounted by chimney-like parapets and elaborate cresting. The roof itself is pitched at a very low angle. RECEIVED JAN2 8 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER 8

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD -PREHISTORIC _1400-1499 -1500-1599 -1600-1699 -1700-1799 X1800-1899 -1900- ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE X ARCHITECTURE ART -COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _CONSERVATION _LAW _ECONOMICS -LITERATURE _EDUCATION _MILITARY -ENGINEERING _MUSIC _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY LINDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT _INVENTION -RELIGION _SCIENCE _SCULPTURE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER(SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT 1886 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Dunahue Brothers Rising above Medford's predominantly 20th c. business center, the Bigelow Block is a prominant Victorian landmark in the Square.and the city. The focal point for any southern entrance into Medford Square, the building is significant as a prominant urban landmark and ás Medford's best example of a Victorian commercial and multi- residential structure. Its abundant and well-preserved ornamentation are a valuable resource for any study of the eclectic architectural taste of the 1880's. The Bigelow Block was built for Edward T.Bigelow, a Medford resident and Boston clerk. It was constructed by the Dunahue Brothers, a local firm, according to plans by an unknown architect. Bigelow was from a well-known business family in Medford and lived with his father, Henry W.Bigelow, nearby on Forest Street.

Pasquale Volpe and Sons, Medford's oldest retail fruit and vegetable company, leased the cornerstore in the Bigelow Block in 1887. When their business expanded shortly thereafter, the grocers also rented the commercial unit in the Forest Street side of the Block, which was originally occupied by a shoe-shine parlor. A dry goods store established itself on the other side of the Volpe store. In 1925 the Volpes purchased the Bigelow Block and continued operating their business through the early 40's. commercial enterprises presently occupy the first floor and the upper floors are residential. RECEIVED JAN28 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER 9

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 1. "Aldermanic Records, Medford City Hall, 1913-1918. 2. Brooks, Charles, History of the Town of Medford, Middlesex County, Mass., Boston, 1886 3. Medford Mercury , Medford,Mass., Feb.20,1925, p.1, col.6-7.

10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY less than 1 acre UTM REFERENCES 40 AL18 | La12i6 31310 EASTING 1416/9:8/11810/ NORTHING cULLiLu VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION HR OK BL LLIL wLiLu EASTING NORTHING - L LyLeILu D.5.01 STATE CEIVED LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES JAN2 8 19/3 CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY NATIONAL REGISTER CODE 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Mindy Arbo, N.R.Editor ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Histórical Commission STREET & NUMBER 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN Boston John Herzan, Medford Historical Commission and for Pat Weslowski, State Survey Director DATE 1/14/74 TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 STATE Massachusetts 02108 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - STATE _ LOCAL _ As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Aut of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), 1 hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE Eljabuch R. Amadmu TITLE Exec.Director MHC FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER hialause ATTEST: DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION AeKeiMR ol TyATONAL RECISTER DATE Jan. 15,1975 DATE 2/74/75 DATE 7eh 20 1575 property Bigelow State Mass. TECHNICAL, Photos _ Maps Block Working Numbert, 28, 25,132 Middlesy CONTROL OK pl 1.30,75 HISTORIAN 4 ccep e. smith 1-31-15 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN EASILY ONE OF THE AccEPT MOST INTERSSTNOG LEBOVICH KUILDINGS IN THE ARER. 1-31-75 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF ACCEpT Cole 2-11-15 BRANCH CHIEF Bespon KEEPER Lg nu Righ spo/1s Entered FEB 2 4 1975 INT:2106-74 National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 4-1-15 Send-back- Re-submit United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No.

7 KEEP AUO AUTO INSURANCE F PAYMENTS INSUF ANCE FIRE VLCOL Form No. 10-301a (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED FEB 2 4 1975 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH 1 NAME HISTORIC Bigelow Block AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION CITY, TOWN _VICINITY OF Medford PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Brian Pfeiffer NEGATIVE FILED AT Medford Planning Dept. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET COUNTY Middlesex STATE Massachusetts DATE OF PHOTO 1974 RECEIVED JANZ01975 NATIOPHOTO NO. REGIST + 1081 Facade apex facing southwest PROPERTY OF THE NATIONL DECISTER ifimta t Form No. 10-301 (Rev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED FEB 84 575 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 1 2 3 4 NAME HISTORIC Bigelow Block AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION CITY. TOWN Medford MAP REFERENCE SOURCE USGS Boston North,Mass. SCALE 1:24,000 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES _VICINITY OF COUNTY Middlesex STATE Massachusetts DATE 1971 RECEIVED: JANZ 81975 NATIONAL' REGISTER <9 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE Date Entered MASSAGHUSETTS 24 197: Name /Bigelow bilocik Abbot, Benjaain, Houne Harvich Historic Diatrict Location Medford Middlesex County Andover Eesex Couty Haruich Bamstable County Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Also Notified Hon. Edward w.

Brooke lion. Torbert H. MacDoaald Hon, Y'aul E. Isongas lion. Cerry E. Studda Regional Director, North Atlantic Resion Stnte Historic Preservation Officer Mea. El1zabeth 3. Azsdon Executive Director Massachusetts Hatorical Couníasion 40 Seacoa St. Bostoa, Hassachusatca 02108 LPR MMo tt/ row 2/25/75 NR Data Sheet DATE: 3 21|77 Reviewer NR INZAtS geoff. DOE Feb. 24,.

19:75 : NAMEAS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: Bigelow Block OTHER NANES: LOCATION: STREET & NUMBER CITY.TOWN STATE Stso NE corner of Forest and Salem Streets- Medford CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT 7th VICINITY OF COUNTY code Massachusetts Middlesex 017- OWNER OF PROPERTY: (circle) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER ADMINISTRATOR (underline) FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME) : NPS REGION: (CIRCLE) N.ATLANTIC MID ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST MIDWEST SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEATURES: INTERIOR kSubstantially intact-1 - unknown - 4 - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - _EXCELLENT _GOOD -FAIR EXTERIOR ENVIRONS -Substantially intact-2 - Substantially intact-3 _ unknown.-5 - unknown -6 - not applicable - 8 - Not applicable-9 Interior, exterior cnvtrons got intacteo _DETERIORATED _UNALTERED _RUINS SALIERED _UNEXPOSED -Reconstructed SORIGINAL SITE _MOVED -Unknewn _U'nexcavated _Excavated ACCESS - Yes-restricted historic district?

Yes-urrestricted No access Unknown YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT? IF YES, NAME: YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES NO : ADAPTIVE USE: YES Saved?

YES 2IO - ; FUNCTION (S): (use vocabulary words) then-pesidential and conruercial now- Saure SIGNIFICANCE: -ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC _AGRIGULTURE LARCHITECTURE ART -COMMERCE -COMMUNICATIONS Claims "first" YES -CONSERVATION -ECONOMICS -EDUCATION -ENGINEERING _EXPLORATION -INDUSTRY -INVENTION NO -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -RELIGION _LAW/Gov't/politics _SCIENCE _UTERATURE _MILITARY -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -MUSIC _PHILOSOPHY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) "oldest'' YES NO --entertainment _health _recreation -settlement _socio/cultural _urban & commun planning "only" YES NO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: ELECTE architect/m.builder: landscape/garden designer: interior decorator: engineer: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: DUNaHUE BROS. ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role & personal(1) EDWARD T. BIGELOW- LOCaL RESIDENT AND BOSTON CLERK- OWNER OF BLDE.

appropriate date) events institutional DATES: DATE OF CONSIRUCTION (specific date or 1/4 of century): /886 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: 20mC HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S): SOURCE: (OF NOMINATION) OTHER PRIVATE STATE FEDERAL AGENCY: ACREAGE" (to neazest tenth of an sexes leas than 1 LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY COMMENTS: (Include architectural infornation here) BRiCK, 4 STORiES, MODIFIED TRI- uith pierced ueon parapet aNELE, FLaT ROOF INTERIOR SiDE CHHMNSTS WITH CORBELED CAPSi. PRINCUPLE SIDE ENTRANCE WITH BRACKSTED PEDIMENTED HOOD, ADDIMIONAL commeRcial. Enteaners, Rounided comer 3-STDRY BOWID CoPPSR oeEl with overhangung cosucal sorf, CORBELED CORNIÇE WITH BRICK DENTILS; - Exerior atteratiris, Z0TAC. ECLSCTIC. TOLONS BEST EXAMPLE 8: bet 19th C. commercial block.

SIGNIFICANCE: (maximum two sentences) ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: ECLECTE architect/m.builder: landscape/garden designer: interior decorator: engineer: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: DuNaHtuE BRos. ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role & appropriate date) personal(1) EDWARD T: BIGZLOW- LocaL RESIDENT aND BOSTON CLERK- OWNER OF BUDE.

events institutional DATES: DATE OF CONSTRUCTION (Specifie date or 1/4 of century) : /886 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: 20mc HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) : SOURCE: (OF NOMINATION) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY FEDERAL 'AGENCY: :ACREAGE (to nearest eonth of an acr) leas thaa1 hom) RiDick A etanico Mnniacami Brick, 4 stories, modiried triansle, flat roof with Wtereed iron parapet, interior side chimneys with corbeled caps, principle side entrance with bracketed pedimented (omothiod, radastional prmorotez enirancaa, xounded cornes, 3-story nofert cuppet orien vith overhanging conical roof, ncorbeled cornice with brick dentils; exterior alterations, 20th C. Eclectic. Town's best example of 19th C. commercial block; built for Edward I. Bigelow, prominent local resident/aud businessman.

NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET DNAK ers on federal register: OTHER NAMES 3) date gf entry: Bigelow, Dr. Henry Jacob, House Peabody School Extension 1-1-76 county code 017 6LOCATION street & number 142 Dedham St. OWNER PRIVATE OSTAT LJCOUNTY 9 EXISTING IHABS FUNDED? JYES cit town Newton FEDERAL (agency name) CONGRESS. DISTRICT 4 vieinity of state MA (6)NPS REGION North Atlantic 12)SOURCE Of NOMINATION MATIGNAY REGISTER HISTORIG HISTORIC LANBMARK county Middlesex ADMINISTRATOR: ) FEDERA!

if statel -LOCA CONDITION *deteriorated Xaltered Xoriginal site (17) features: KSUBSTAN IALLY INTACT -2 NTACT - 3 Dexcellent Druins Dunaltered @LSUBSTANTIALLY Omoved O OHOT INTACT-O 2O NOT INTACT - O QONOT INTACT - O Ogood Ounexposed Xfair Oreconstructed Cunknown WOUNKNOWN-5 >CUNKNOWN-6 Cunexcavated Dexcavated ZO NOT APPLICABLE -7 XONOT APPLICABLE-8 APPLICABLE - 8 S ACCESS XYES- Restricted [YES -Unrestricted _ No Access -Unknown (19) ADAPTIVE USE OYES SAVED? DYES IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT 21 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : DENGINEERING-11 - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - POLITICS/ GOVT.

21 CRECREATION -28 22CLAIMS: explain 'first'O CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 -COMMERCE -6 CENTERTAINMENT-26 - LAW - 16 ELIGION- 22 ACHEOLOGY-historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS -7 CEXPLORATION -12 - LITERATURE - 17 ASCIENCE - 23 -SETTLEMENT-29 CURBAN PLANNING-31 (AGRICULTURE -3 C CONSERVATION -8 CHEALTH-27 - MILITARY- 18 'oldest'O C SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24OOTHER (SPECIFY) *ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS - 91 - INDUSTRY - 13 - MUSIC - 19 - SOCIAL / CULTURAL-30 'only' D - ART- 5 - EDUCATION-10 C INVENTION - 14 PHILOSOPHY - 20 functions dates WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANTI house CURRENTLY: ditto 26) architectural style(s): @architect Shingle Style Henry Hobson Richardson -landscape archit ect / garden designer: 3) interior decorator: artist: nitial constructio 1007 ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION master builder: engineer: artisan: builder/contractor: NAMES give role & date PERSONAL: Henry Jacols Bigelow-promunent surgeon, got MiBichardson to design his house.

EVENTS: INSTITUTIONAL: 38NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UN : Frame, shingling; 2%2 stories plus attic, irregular, with interior courtyard, hipped aud gabled roof sectións, interior chimneys, various asgymietrical entrances, corner oriel with conical cap, slightly ouerhang- ing andistory, attached ell and carriage house; alterations. One of the last shingle style desiguts by prominent arctutect, Hewry Hobson Richardson; built for promment surgeon, Henry Jacob Bigelow. reviewers initials Geoff datel: 10.78 HF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE