MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Eliot, Charles Darwin. Somerville's History. Hopkins, G. M. & Co., Publishers. Atlas of the City of Somerville, Mass.,1874; 1884. Jones, William Preble. Somerville Fifty Years Ago. Somerville. 1933. Samuels, Edward Augustus. Somerville Past and Present: An Illustrated Historical Souvenir. Somerville: Samuels and Kimball, 1897. Somerville Historical Society. Historic Leaves, Vols. I-IX, 1901-8. Somerville, Mass: The Beautiful City of Seven Hills. Somerville: A.Martine & Sons Co.,1912 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY approximately 3 acres UTM REFERENCES AL1,91 ZONE 1312,712,6,0 EASTING 14,619,410,4,0 NORTHING NORTHING ZONE ASTIN LL DLL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION The district extends along the west side of Bow Street, running behind the back property lines of numbers 26-68 Bow Street.
Along the east side of Bow Street, the district includes numbers 17-49 (including the First United Methodist Church at the corner of Wesley Park, Summer Street and Bow Street), and the boundaries run along the back property lines of these properties. LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Lisette Ellis, Aron Faegre, Margo Jones, Judy D.
Dobbs, National Register Editor, and research assistants for Mary Cahill ORGANIZATION DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission October 21, 1975 STREET & NUMBER TELEPHONE 294 Washington Street 617-727-8470 CITY OR TOWN STATE Boston Massachusetts 02108 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL- STATE_ LOCAL X As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act 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 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE leobett teel Amadon TITLE Executive Director, Massachusette Historical ConmissionDATE FOR NPS USE ONLY Och.
21,1975 CLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Boting ATTEST: Acting KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISJER DATE 7/26/36 DATE 3-21-7L GPO 888-445 Form No. 10-300a (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED/OV 5 1975 DATE ENTERED MAR 2 6 1976 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 & 8 PAGE 1 #7 - Description: Another building which serves to define the district is the Faulkner Apartment Block. This handsome Federal Revival structure was built before 1900 and its crescent shape reflects the curve of the original seventeenth century road. The brick building has granite sills and lintels and granite keystones in the brick arches over the three entrances. The recessed doorways have simple fanlights and are three steps above ground level.
Beneath the paired windows on the third story the brick forms an interesting checkered pattern, projecting from the building surface by several inches. The white shutters have been added in recent years. #8 - Significance The Police Station on Bow Streets stands as one of the first building projects of the newly chartered city of Somerville. The police headquarters were moved to a newer building in 1932, and the original building is currently being used by the Boys' Club and the American Legion. In terms of twentieth century development, with many buildings on Somerville Avenue having undergone major destruction or defacing, Bow Street has remained a relatively well-protected pocket of nineteenth century buildings. Along it one finds a comfortable mixture of fruit markets, dwellings, churches, apart- ments and shops. orm No. 1-300 Hev.
10-74 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DEC 22 1975 DATE ENTERED MAR 2 6 1976 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 2 #8 Significance The architecture of the Bow Street District represents a valuable record of the period of Somerville's greatest growth, the late nineteenth century. A variety of styles are represented -- Romanesque Revival, stick style, mansard, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne -- which provide an important document of con- struction in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Doctor's Row grouping on the south side of Bow Street is a fine collection of stick style cottages, and other buildings such as the Faulkner Apartment Building are distinguished by their curvilinear design, reflecting the bend in Bow Street.
While some of the buildings, such as Henry S. Mckay's Prospect Hill Congregational Church, were designed by professional architects, others illustrate fine vernacular work of the period. As a whole the architectural integrity of the area remains intact, and the district represents one of the best late nineteenth century groupings in a city which has undergone many changes and alterations. Form No. 10-300a (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEVED NOV 5 DATE ENTERED 1975 MAR 2 6 1976 CONTINUATION SHEET Map Key ITEM NUMBER PAGE 2 Key to Map: 1. Prospect Hill Congregational Church, 1887 17 Bow Street 2. Lambert House, 1874 26 Bow Street 3. Orcutt House, 1874 30 Bow Street 4. Robert Sanborn House, 1874 34 Bow Street S. N. Plummer Residence, 1874 36 Bow Street 6.
Market Building 38-40 Bow Street 7. "The Richmond", 1892 33-37 Bow Street 8. First United Methodist Church Intersection Wesley Park, Summer Street, Bow Street 9. Crumbie House, 1874 42 Bow Street 10. E. C. Mann House, 1874 46 Bow Street 11. Faulkner Apartment Block 39-49 Bow Street 12. Somerville Police Station, 1874 50 Bow Street 13. Arnold House, 1874 56 Bow Street 14. Bow Street Hotel, c. 1900 58-68 Bow Street, 365-379 Somerville Avenue 15. 16. 17. 25-29 Bow Street 21A and 23 Bow Street 19 and 21 Bow Street Property Baw Street State Mass. toui Nestret Working Number 1.5.75./982 middlesex TECHNICAL CONTROL Photos - p Itsketch Map 11.7.75. ARE SIGNIFICANT FOR TRANSPORTATION + REVOWTION, HISTORIAN LIsNe Waud's I DON'T THINK THE DISTRIET COULD Be ExTENDED To UwIon La Without Comprising integnity.
BiSTANLY WHILC BASKALLY PESIO UNiOL Se The boundaries appear to be too restictive-ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANcommerial cocal efjont, tho # of NR popertesis wrong & Rettig's name ARCHEOLOGIST suriounding enunonment will se morected uncer be extentes withont impai mt. one approaches union s8. Called judy Dobbs - she will provide a OTHER continuation sheet on architectual significonce HOLD; then Accrpr WWith the new continuation sheet neceived 10/27/15 - AccEPT - HhyMU HAER Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Cols 1/29/76 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER Accept Kettig (for Murtagh) 3-21-76 Entered MAR 2 6 1976 INT:2106-74 National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 5-4-76 Send-back Re-submit United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 Form No. 10-301a (Pev.
10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED NOV5 1975 DATE ENTERED MAR 2 6 1976 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH PRI N 4 NAME HISTORIC Bow Street Historic District AND/OR COMMON Same LOCATION CITY. TOWN Somerville _VICINITY OF PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Margo Jones NEGATIVE FILED AT Somerville Historical Commission City Hall, Somerville IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT. GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET Prospect Hill Congregational Church, 17 Bow Street (#1 on map) CONTY Middlesex STATE MA DATE OF PHOTO 1975 PHOTO NO 17 BOWl STREET PROSPELT HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH PROPE NPS Titl Loc. STICK STYLE COTTAGE , 26 BOW ST. Form No. 10-301a (Pev.
10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED NOV 5 1975 MAR 2 6 1976 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH 2 NAME HISTORIC Bow Street Historic District AND/OR COMMON Same LOCATION CITY. TOWN Somerville __VICINITY OF PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Margo Jones NEGATIVE FILED AT Somerville Historical Commission City Hall, Somerville IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET Lambert House, 26 Bow Street (#2 on map) COUNTY Middlesex STATE MA DATE OF PHOTO 1975 PHOTO NO. 2 Uf. 5 2075 39-49 BOW STREET Form No. 10-301a (Pev.
10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY NOV 5 RECEIVED 1975 MAR 2 6 1976 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH PROPERTY NPS Numb Title: LOo. NAME HISTORIC Bow Street Historic District AND/OR COMMON Same LOCATION CITY.TOWN Somerville _VICINITY OF PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Margo Jones NEGATIVE FILED AT Somerville Historical Commission City Hall, Somerville IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET Faulkner Apartment Block, 39-49 Bow Street (#11 on map) COUNTY Middlesex STATE MA DATE OF PHOTO 1975 PHOTONO. 3 af fue 39 375 #8 FIRST UNITED METIOTIST CHURCH Form No. 10-301a (Pev.
10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED NOV 5 1975 DATE ENTERED MAR 2 6 1976 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH PROPEI NPS N Title 4 Loc. NAME HISTORIC Bow Street Historic District AND/OR COMMON Same LOCATION CITY, TOWN Somerville VICINITY OF PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Margo Jones NEGATIVE FILEDAT Somerville Historical Commission City Hall, Somerville IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET First United Methodist Church (#8 on map) COUNTY Middlesex STATE MA DATE OF PHOTO 1975 PHOTONO. 4 afa s 4aLs TSOMER BOW STREET LOOKiNG EAST FROM BESIDE POLiCE STATION (50 BOW ST.) Form No. 10-301a (Pev.
10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED NOV 5 1975 DATE ENTERED MAR 2 6 1976 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Bow Street Historic District AND/OR COMMON Same LOCATION Somerville CITY. TOWN _VICINITY OF PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Margo Jones NEGATIVE FILED AT Somerville Historical Commission City Hall, Somerville IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET COUNTY Midalesex DATE OF PHOTO 1975 STATE MA PHOTO NO. 5 afs- Looking east from beside Police Station (right foreground, #12 on map), 50 Bow Street map), 50 Bowslveel 5uf5 Form No. 10-301 (Rev.
10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM OR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVEO NOV5 1975 MAR 2 6 3/6 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 1 NAME HISTORIC 3 4 AND/OR COMMON Same LOCATION CITY. TOWN Somerville MAP REFERENCE SOURCE Sanborn Map SCALE 1" = 100' REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES Bow Street Historic District VICINITY OF COUNTY Middlesex STATEMA DATE INT: 2986-75 ES OF SUMMER VINAL 1900 1874 SOMERVILLE. HISTORK. DKIRKT 1074 WELLEY PARK 1892 WALNUT STREET SANBORN AVE. STREET 6 1928 4 1874 1887 - /1077 WARREN AVE. SOMERVILLE AVE. UNION SQUARE 1P RECEIVED NOV 5 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER 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 NOV 5 1975 MAR 2 6 1978 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 1 2 NAME HISTORIC Bow Street Historic District AND/OR COMMON Same LOCATION CIT,OWN Somerville -VICINITY OF COUNTY Middlesex STATE MA 3 MAP REFERENCE SOURCE USGS, Boston North Quadrangle SCALE 1:24000 DATE 1956 4 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES INT: 2986-75 MRS. MAUREEN S. HILLIARD ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS S. LESTER RALPH MAYOR October 15, 1975 Dear Somerville Resident/Community Leader: Mayor S.
Iester Ralph and the Somerville Historical Com- mission are pleased to send you this copy of Union Square _Revisited. This booklet, a brief history and suggested walking tour, is a by-product of research done this summer in nominating buildings in that area for tue National Register of Historical Places. We hope you are inspired to tour Union Square as well as otner sections of Somerville, more aware of architectural clues to Somerville's history. Sincerely, May. GCafill Mary G. Canill Historical) Projects Coordinator ALLAMERICA CITY SOMERVILLE,MASS. "Il' DATEAI Townserel. A Ed.Cur W Roberi s. FIRST M.E CHURCH Vinal Goldsmith wmth #.8L. trs.Co. Massachusells derion Donahne Noonau * I.Sen Wilder POLICE STATION Somerrilte Patie Terry T.Griftin, Irs. SOME Albert I. Sunborn LIVERY STABLES Sanborn Dn.Dellinenge Geo.
Simenita Union Square Revisited Heiy ¡pg S INTRODUCTION The amount of information which the Federal government requires when applying for an Historic District designation is extensive. Rather than filing away the interesting maps, photographs, interviews, and architectural history, we have made them available to you in this pamphlet. The pamphlet contains basic historical information about the Union Square area, a catalogue of the major styles of ar- chitecture, a walking tour of forty buildings in the Square area (in- cluding those nominated for the Historic District), and a few notes for residents and owners regarding maintenance and renovation of older buildings. Since 1975-76 is the year of the bicentennial celebration, it seems appropriate for Somerville to commemorate the year with a publication which celebrates a significant element of local history.
Also, the completion of the new traffic pattern and pedestrian im- provements in Union Square this fall demonstrates a renewed inter- est in the area which can be amplified with an historic perspective. ACKNOWLEGMENTS We wish to thank the Honorable S. Lester Ralph, Mayor of Somer- ville, for his continuing support, without which this pamphlet would not have been possible. We also wish to thank the Somerville Historical Commission: Mary Cahill, Executive Secretary; Isobel Cheney: Isabel Abbott; Hazel Hughes; Viola Herbert; and George Almond. The reference materials of the Somerville Historical Society were extremely useful. Thanks to Charles Sullivan of the Cambridge Historical Commission for all his suggestions and editorial assistance, and to Judy Dobbs of the Massachusetts Historical Commission. We are grateful to Mr. Philip Beyer, a long-time resident of Union Square, and to Dr.
and Mrs. MacSweeney, for their cooperation. This project was also made possible by the Architectural Assistance Program of the M. I. T. Department of Architecture, and the Federal Work-Study Program. Special thanks to Julian Smith for his drawings. UNION SQUARE REVISITED: A Walking Tour, with a Brief History and Guide to the Architectural Styles Written and Illustrated by Lisette Ellis Aron Faegre Margo Jones Drawingsby Julian Smith Under the auspices of the Somerville Historical Commission and the Office of Mayor S. Lester Ralph. 1975. x219 Plewa Hlouina Bateries tHerk cobbli MillTond mens CHATEIRS Rarion Mill Pond Little Cove Powder Ho Charles River FORTIFICATIONS AROUND BOSTON IN 1775 Winnismet on/" Hludrons 7% Worth lasen bancocid har t. TKong Wharr CBOSTO CouthBat rubmibl Dor TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. History 2. The National Register of Historic Places 3. Architectural Styles 4.
Glossary 5. Map of Union Square 6. Walking Tour 7. Recommendations 8. Bibliography 4 9 10 15 16 18 32 33 HISTORY Somerville, until 1842, was part of Charlestown, and was called "Charlestown Without the Neck", or "Charlestown Beyond the Neck" At the time of the first settlement, the tide ebbed and flowed in the local rivers all the way from the bay to what is now Washington Street , one of the oldest thoroughfares in the area. "Skirting marshes and river", It followed an old Indian trail from Charlestown to Watertown. The first local settler, an Indian trader named John Woolrich, came to the area in the early 1600's; by 1630 the early Indian path had become a thoroughfare, the "Highway to Newtowne", leading from Charlestown Neck to Cambridge or "Newtowne" . By the mid-1600's, a throughway to Arlington called "Charlestown Lane" was defined.
This old road is known today as Somerville Avenue, Bow Street, Elm Street and College Avenue. For the first 100 years of its settlement, the early citizens of this area were gradually developing enough commerce to sustain them. Major activities by the mid-18th century included cattle- raising, farming, brick-making, quarrying, and oystering. The "Highway to Newtowne" and "Charlestown Lane" continued to support most traffic in the region and subsequently provided the routes which allowed the area, later named Union Square, to play a role of na - tional significance in the early stages of the American Revolution. In 1775, "Charlestown Beyond the Neck" was the land first trav- ersed by the British on their way to Lexington and Concord (Illustra- tion #I). The 800 British troops arrived near Prospect Street from their boat across the Charles.
From there they proceeded along the "High- way to Newtowne" , and onward to Lexington. The British later re- treated through Union Square, and several small skirmishes with the colonists occurred in the area, known today as the "Skirmish of Milk Row". The local post-Revolutionary commerce became increasingly so- phisticated, and served as an impetus for an independence move- ment which resulted in Somerville's being named and incorporated as a town in 1842. In addition to brick-making and quarrying, several. wiLpon h.leshs Papeas Cho sherl M D iries Poipe+ Mi other industries were developed in the early 19th century, including dairying, bleacheries, dye and rope works, potteries, grist mills, distilleries, glass factories, saw mills, and eventually, slaughter- ing- Originally, Bow Street took its bowed form by skirting marsh.- land to its south.
Later, between 1821 and 1830, Milk Row (now Somerville Avenue) was continued straight to Union Square, re- placing Bow Streetas the main thoroughfare (Illustration #2). The name comes from that time, when Bow Street was first bypassed and left as a protected pocket for the buildings which came in the 19th century. Subsequently, the form of the curving street has allowed its succession of buildings to develop a spatial integrity and vi- sual rhythm with few modern intrusions. The largest burst of population and housing growth in Union Square and Somerville occurred after 1850 when many immigrants came to Boston, and the expansion of the horse-drawn streetcar transformed Somerville from a farming community to a working sub- urb. 5 Illustration #2 Illustration #3 SOMERVILLE STREET &STEAM RAILWAY LINES. MRLUNCTON WINTER_HILL POUSANO MEOFORO SE LINE.
e MICMEANO AVE LINE... SUMNEL SZ UINE. UNION SP LUME 1K/S 50 The Boston metropolitan region experienced tremendous growth in the second half of the 19th century. In 1850, Boston had 200,000 in- habitants living within a three mile radius; by 1900 there were over 1,000,000 people and the city encompassed a region with a ten mile radius. Most of this metropolitan growth occurred in the cities and towns which bordered on Boston proper. Iwo years before it was in- corporated in 1872, Somerville was a town of 14,700. By 1900, it had expanded by almost 500% to a population of 69,000. Union Square remained the main commercial and municipal center of Somerville. A primary reason for the importance of the Square was the growth of the street railway. The first horse-drawn street- car in the Boston area was established in 1852 between Union Square and Harvard Square.
Providing a quick and inexpensive means of commuting to work, streetcars proliferated throughout the Boston area after the Civil War. In 1889 the first electric trolley was in- stalled on Beacon Street in Boston. A transportation map of 1892 (Illustration #3) shows railway lines operating on Somerville Avenue, Washington Street and Summer Street. Illustration #4 shows a typi- cal car. According to one source, West End trolley cars stopped in Union Square 88 times a day in 1900. Street railway transportation opened up a much wider territory for housing. Now working people could live up to six miles away and still commute to work within an hour. During this time Boston 6 changed from a compact seaport to an industrialized commercial center. Consequently, the downtown became a less desirable place to live and those who could afford the move relocated to the quieter outlying regions.
It was during this period that Somerville's dairy farms, stone quar- ries and brickyards were changed into residential neighborhoods, and Somerville became known as the "City of Homes". According to the 1940 housing census, 76.4% of all dwelling units in Somer- ville were built between 1880 and 1920, and 50% of Somerville's houses were constructed between 1890 and 1900. This rapid real es- tate development caused Somerville to become one of the most densely settled cities in the country. An example of the new industrialization which dominated Boston and Somerville economy is the North Packing and Provision Company (Illustration #5). This company, referred to as the largest packing company east of Chicago, covered twelve acres at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Medford Street. At its peak it employed 1,000 men, and had a capacity of butchering 5,000 hogs per day.
Established in 1855, it was incorporated in 1890 with G.F. Swift as president. Other smaller industries close to Union Square were a barrel maker, S. Armstrong & Co., employing 80 men, and I.H. Illustration #4 WEST SOMERVILLE 136-4 7 Brown & Co. at 289 Washington Street, a millworking operation which had mechanized drying equipment. With the advent of corporate economic development came a new class of white collar workers. Union Square was a prime location for business and professional offices. Bow Street became known as "Doctors' Row" as several doctors and dentists established resi- dences with offices there. The major banks and local newspaper lo- cated nearby, and the upper floors of the Union Square block build- ing were occupied by real estate, insurance, and other office work- ers.
Later, during the Depression of the thirties, business lagged and many buildings were significantly altered to adapt to the slackening pace. For the past thirty-five years, the automobile has had an in- creasingly adverse effect on the Square's economy; shopping centers with drive-in parking have encroached on the commercial livelihood of the Square. Although some offices remain, the number of profes- sional practices has decreased. Elderly housing has been construc- ted near the Square, and many community organizations are finding uses for the buildings which have outgrown their original purposes. The State Department of Transportation is constructing a new traffic pattern in 1975 in an attempt to adapt a 19th century urban environ- ment to its 20th century needs. This and other actions need to be tak- en to revitalize an historically and architecturally significant resource.
Illustration #5 THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES At the time of this printing, seventeen buildings on Bow Street have been nominated by the Massachusetts State and the City of Somerville Historical Commissions to be designated by the National Register of Historic Places as an Historic District. This group of buildings was selected because its valuable architecture represents the period of Somerville's largest growth, the late 19th century. The National Register of Historic Places records those properties worthy of preservation for their historic value, as legislated by Con- gress in the Historic Sites Act of 1935 and the Historic Preservation Act of 1966. It is published biennially with pertinent information about each entry, with a growing list of over 1,000 entries.
In addition to this recognition, the Register protects the area from Federally funded or licensed projects which might have an ad- verse effect on the property, or might jeopardize the significance of and character of the area. Indirectly, these National Register prop- erties are also afforded similar protection from state funded projects. (When no Federal funds or licenses are involved, there is no control over an owner's use or treatment of any National Register property.) A National Register listing makes a property owner eligible to ap- ply for grants-in-aid assistance from the National Park Service for preservation and renovation of his or her property. These funds are allocated and administered on the local level by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. It is hoped that the present physical character of the Bow Street area will continue to be maintained and enhanced.
We have in- cluded a special section and bibliography at the end of this pam- phlet which offer some pointers to owners and residents who wish to improve their properties. Any questions regarding the Historic des- ignation can be addressed to the Somerville Historical Commission at City Hall. The late phase of Georgian archi- In the second quarter of the 19th tecture is known as the FEDERAL century, the GREEK REVIVAL style or Adam, style, which emerged became almost a national style in part from the work of Charles of architecture. It began as an Bulfinch in Boston, from 1790 to adaptation of the Greek temple 1820. Proportion and clarity in form to a functional 19th century both the massing and the facade dwelling. Houses were usually have priority over extensive orna- sided with clapboards, with ga- mentation.
The simple geometric ble roofs open to the front or forms and uncluttered wall sur- side, and either center, or (more faces are important elements. commonly) side-hall entries. The corice is crisp, and seldom The style is most easily identi- returns across the facade on the fied by protruding molding on the gable end gable and cornice lines which symmetrical, with longer windows forms a large triangular pediment. on the ground level, and an en- Heavy window frames and corner try with side lights and fanlights. pilasters are usually present on Elements of the Federal style the facade, and there is often an came into vernacular use in the entrance porch carried by Doric early 19th century, and such columns. Such buildings were buildings were generally charac- invariably painted white. In ver- terized by delicate trim and flat nacular building, any and all of facade.
these details were used in an end less variety of single and double houses. 10 The GOTHIC REVIVAL came to The ITALIANATE oI BRACKETED style Massachusetts in the 1830's, began in imitation of Italian coun- copied from English and Contin- try villas. The silouette of this ental prototypes. The early building style is heavy and irregu- Gothic Revival is characterized lar. Windows, especially at the by a steep, pointed gable roof attic level, can be half-rounded. and pointed or lancet window Bay windows, balustraded balco- arches. Any surface omamen- nies and verandas are all common tation (window tracery, mold- Italianate features. The wooden ings, etc.) appears thin and frag- bracket was one of the popular ile.
The commercial and insti- successes of the Italianate style, tutional Gothic Revival buildings a detail made possible on a large of the 1870's are often larger scale by the invention of special than early examples of the style, saws and lathes in the mid-19th and often combine multi-colored century. The bracket's many vari- stone trims with patterned brick eties, low cost, high visibility walls in a variety of color and and adaptability resulted in its texture. The steep gable and wide use between 1850and 1900, pointed arches remain, although and it can be spotted today on these elements in later buildings countless vernacular buildings of tend to be exaggerated in a all types. building of great perpendicular thrust. 11 The MANSARD, or Second Em- QUEEN ANNE refers to a general pire, style had its roots in an style of buildingwhich became academic movement in France popular after 1870.
The style is which advocated monumental marked by bold experimentation in scale and heavy ornamentation, floor plan and exterior features, including a high, slate-covered, which contrasts with the formal ac- double-pitched roof. A mid-19th ademicism of revival styles. Ir- century designer, Henry Green- regular plan and massing charac- ough, introduced a version of terize a style which grows from this style to Cambridge which an additive building process,the emphasized a tall, richly mod- result of an understanding of and eled facade. The original French respect for the inherent nature of style became Americanized with materials. Roofs are high and mul- the use of porches, verandas, tiple; bay windows are often used, and asymmetrical facades. It and frequently there are many ga- was popular in this country in bles and chimneys.
If there is the 1850's due to its European any classical trim, it tends to be fashionability and the practical small in scale. effect that the top story space The STICK STYLE (B) is one of the became usable without raising few uniquely American architectur- the cornice line. Eventually, al styles of the 19th century. The the "French roof" became an or- variety of massing, texture and namental feature of house con- color which began with the Queen struction like brackets, bay win- Anne style is accented with exten- dows and porches. sive exterior "stickwork" which symbolizes, but does not incorpor- ate, an unseen structural frame.. 12 The eaves project and are often supported by large brackets and knee braces. The Georgian movement was an English version of the architec- ture of the Italian Renaissance.
(B) It was the predominant style in America from the 1730's to the The SHINGLE STYLE (C) is an- 1820's, and since its revival in other of the asymmetrical Queen the 1880's it has been in many re- Anne group. Shingles are used spects the dominant architectur- instead of the usual clapboards al style in America. Georgian to emphasize round and continu- structures built after the mid- ous form. Often decorative shin- 19th century are said to be in the gles are used on an upper floor. COLONIAL REVIVAL style, the in- fluence of which can be seen in (C) many Somerville houses. The roof is low in pitch, andthe fa- cade symmetrical with large, dou- ble-hung windows and a restrained cornice, which often has a row of small, closely-spaced blocks called dentils.
Later versions of the Georgian Revival use its de- tails in isolation on buildings de- signed by carpenters and small builders, rather than imitating the pure rectangular European design. 13 (A) Another means of distinguishing residential architecture is by BUILDING TYPE. In the first part of the 19th century, residential development usually took the form of the single house, or single The ROMANESQUE REVIVAL began houses put together into double- in the 1840's and was later popu- or row-houses (A). Unit division larized by H.H. Richardson, the was vertical, enabling residents architect of Trinity Church in to own the land upon which the Boston. The characteristic fea- house was situated. By the end tures of the Romanesque are of the 19th century, most multi- round arches, semi-circular forms, and often, different colors (B) of masonry.
Richardsonian Ro- manesque is distinguished by its rough-cut stone masonry which (C) forms the ground level, arches, lintels, and transoms. The up- family housing was achieved by per exterior walls are made of a horizontal division, which meant different masonry material than that only one party could own the the structural features, reinforc- land. The two-family house (B) ing the sense of weight and mas- is very common in Somerville. siveness. Square towers are Making a flat roof enabled the topped with pyramidal roofs; win- addition of a third apartment to dows are arched or straight- the top level, a building type topped and divided into rectan - known as the triple-decker (C) . gular sections by stone mullions Much larger versions of this style and transoms. developed into tenement or apart- ment blocks.
GLOSSARY arch: lancet-with a sharp point; segmental- slightly rounded; stilted-with a very high center. board and batten: a facing of boards with a narrow strip (or batten) covering the vertical joints between the boards. buttress: a pier which helps support a wall. corbel: masonry or wood built in consecutive rows to extend beyond the wall surface. dormer: a small gable in a larger roof, often with window(s). eave: the portion of a roof which extends beyond the exterior wall. ell: an addition built at a right angle to the length of a building. entablature: a detail composed of three horizontal parts, originally placed above classical columns. gable: the end of a building where the outside wall meets the ridge of a sloping roof. lintel: a short horizontal beam, often seen at the tops of doors or windows. mullion: the vertical dividing member between multiple windows or doors.
pediment: a triangular form made within the angle of a roof gable. pilaster: a low relief pier which is joined to a wall and often has the proportions and detail of a classical column. sill: the horizontal member at the bottom of a door or window: tracery: curving mullions. transom: the opening above a door or window. vernacular: local, characteristic of the area. cornice: a projecting horizontal piece at the top of a wall. All of the above definitions, although paraphrased, are borrowed substantially from Henry H. Saylor's Dictionary of Architecture, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1952. 15 20 BOW'ST 2627 .+25 24-23 22 18 SOMERVILLE AVE. KEY: BUILT BEFORE 1874 BETWEEN 1874-1884 BEFDRE 1900 AFTER 1900 ....WALKING TOUR --- BOUNDARY OF PROPOSED NATL. DISTRILT Care has been taken to insure that the information included is both accurate and concise.
The Historical Commission would ap- preciate additional relevant material, such as old pictures of Somer- ville scenes, as well as notification of any inaccurate oversights. 16 15. WASHINGTON The best way to learn about architecture and local history is to observe it directly on foot. Once the clues of the city's history and bullding styles are given, a whole story unfolds. Doorways, roofs, and chimneys become signs of the former life of a region. Union Square, as a vital part of Somerville, has a story which covers a long period. We have organized a walking tour through the major streets of Union Square. The tour starts at the corner of Washington and Lake Streets, travel down Washington Street, through Unoin Square, down Bow Street, and ends at the connection of Bow Street and Somerville Avenue.
Photographs have been kept to a minimum because they are meant simply to be used for identifying the proper building. We have included many historical illustrations in order to reveal the history hidden within the present context. We hope that the descriptions of the various architectural styles will enable interested persons to conduct their own tours of other streets of Somerville. -10 SQUARE WIat 9 17 UNION SQUARE WALKING TOUR 2. #273 Washington Street; c. 1865. This is a simple mansard house, proba- bly built before the more elaborate yel- low one at #265 Washington St. Now a two-family clapboard cottage, the orig- inal mass has been altered by porches on the front and additions at the rear. 3. #269 Washington Street: c. 1860. This early simple bracketed style house is probably the oldest on the block, and is in close to its original condition.
The simple, spare, flat and symmetrical facade is accent- ed only by the brackets on the gable and the porch roof. 4. #265 Washington Street; c. 1865-70. The Flaherty residence is a more elaborate and sculptural example of the Second Empire style house found next door at the Funeral Home; both have a concave mansard roof and a bracketed cornice. The Col- onial Revival entry with side lights and fanlights was added much later, as were the side chimney and porch, with its rounded encased columns. 5. #261 Washington Street; c. 1870. The present Flaherty Funeral Home is a side-hall bay win- dow mansard house with clapboard sid- ing, slate shingles and Colonial Reviv- al trim. The en - trance, brick facing and wing on the left STREET #265 #269 - #273 18 Joseph's Catholic Church + Parochial School are more recent additions which alter the original massing of the house. 5.
Parochial School; c.1890. This three-story brick institutional building has a simple rectangular form which is slightly embellished by roof pediments above the cornice line and brick pilasters which help support the tall structure. Generous windows with brownstone lintels are placed symmet- rically. 6. #2 Washington Street, Rectory; c.1870. This High Victorian mansard -roofed house was built about the same time as St. Joseph's Church. A large house for its time, it is a good example of the later developments of the mansard style (after 1870): the silhou- ette of the house has changed to include bays, towers and turrets which break through the continuous cornice line and front plane of the facade. 7. St. Ioseph's Catholic Church, Washington Street and Union Square; 1871-74. Murphy, architect. St.
Joseph's, the first Catholic church in Somerville, is an excel- ent example of the High Gothic style. The building follows the tra- ditional cathedral form with a high central nave, smaller, illuminat- ed side aisles, and a tall, narrow stee- ple. The building is composed of gran- ite, brick and wood painted white. The fine foundation and slate roof are well- preserved evidence of the productivity of local quarries. Multiple lancet stained-glass windows and a large rose wheel window are typical of the style. 19 8. #15 Union Square; c.1845. This is apparently the first residence in Union Square, and the birthplace of the founder of the Flaherty Funeral Home, Francis E. Flaherty, Sr. A very early end gable Greek Revival house, #15 Union Sq. still has its original brick foundation and rectangular shape, although the facade has been altered significantly over the years.
The clap- board siding, corner pilasters and broken cornice line are all origi- nal details. 9. Union Square Fire Station; 1903-04. Walter T. Littlefield, architect. The form of this fire station, with its square bell tower, is derived from Italian Renaissance villas. Some details, such as the granite keystones, are reminiscent of Roman monuments. Many fire stations of this period are in the same style. Although not unique architec- turally, this building serves as a visual focal point in the eastern end of the Square. Of note is the special brick wall pattern, a "Flemish" bond with both light and dark colored bricks. 10. Police Station, #66-70 Union Square; 1932. Greek columns, alternating concrete blocks at the corners, and the symmetry of the facade all indicate the Neo-Classical Revival style, which many designers of municipal and bank buildings favored in the Thirties. I1.
Stone Building (or Barristers Hall), #57-61 Union Square; 1891. Built as the main office of the Somer- ville Savings Bank by its treasurer, Jonathan Stone, this building is brick with granite lintels and foundation, and a steel interior structure. By the late 19th century, commercial blocks 20 Fire Station UNIO N were built with detailed surface decoration on the first floor, leav- ing the upper stories relatively plain. Recent renovations have ob- scured its true age and original facade. 12. Union Square Hotel, #45-50 Union Square; C.1855-60. This brick, bearing wall building is similar to much of the early 19th century commercial architecture in Boston. Though it is one of the oldest buildings in Union Square, it survives with changes only at the ground level. Granite lintels, a gently sloping slate roof, and star shaped tie bolts detail the simple and handsome facade. LAI OFFICE 13.
#21-29 Union Square; c. 1935 A three-story wooden commercial block building with a delightful mixture of Italianate, Mansard and Gothic styles (see old photo graph on next page) once occupied this important position in the Square, until it bumed down in the thirties. At that time the exis- ting one-story concrete commercial building with Egyptian Revival surface treatment was erected, reflecting the more limited resources 21 of the Depression era. 14. Eberle Building, #31-34 Union Square: c.1884. Constructed soon after the Hill Build- ing across the street, this brick build- ing was financed by Phil Eberle, a shoe merchant. The building is a mod- est Queen Anne style commercial block whose large regular openings present an unusually light facade.
An inter- esting brick pattern is found at the #31-34 UNION NALLPAPER 22 cornice line, and the wooden window trim is carved in the same pat- tern as the brownstone lintels on the Hill Building. The third floor has a large hall which was originally used for community social gatherings, holding up to 800 people. The mansard style wooden house on the right was Eberle's original residence. 15. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, #300 Somerville Avenue; 1870, addition 1907-13. A fine example of modest wooden Gothic Revival, this church origi- nally had board and batten siding and a steeple on the right side. The entrance to a private day-care center has significantly altered Its street appearance, but the interior nave with its exposed wood- en trusses and Gothic, diamond- pattern windows remains intact. 16.
H841 Bullding, #38 Union Square; In the center of the old photograph to the left is a brick Queen Anne commer- cial block built by Ira Hill, a local builder and real estate developer. Originally boasting paneled brick chim- neys and cornice details, and a man- sard roof, the top two floors were re- moved in 1935 either to reduce heating bills and real estate taxes, or to avoid the threat of fire. Alternating brown- stone and limestone blocks over the windows, and carved floral patterns on the lintels, give some idea of the de- tailing the building once had, indica- ing a builder who had a great deal of pride in his work. 23 Prospect Hill Congregational Church BOW STREET WALNUT STREET 17. Somerville National Bank, #15 Bow Street; c.1915 Another Neo-Classical Revival building of the early 20th century, this was built as a symbol of financial security by the Somerville National Bank.
The original roof pediment on the front is still visible, although the lower por- tion of the facade has been "modern- ized" to include more windows. 18. Prospect Hill Congregational Church; 1887. Henry Squarebrigs McKay, archit. This large church was founded by H.P. Hood, whose original dairy was situat- ed in Somerville, and John North, own- er of the North Packing and Provision Company, which later became Swifts. The church has the charac- teristic features of H.H. Richardson's Romanesque style: rounded arches and semi-circular forms, a square tower, and contrasting kinds of masonry. The larger masses of the building are described by rough-cut (or "rusticated") granite, especially at the ground lev- el. The stone arches, lintels, sills and transoms are also rustica- ted. The stained glass leaded windows are deeply set.
Interesting formal relationships are developed with materials, such as the rus- #15 ticated granite turrets which run up the square bell tower and appear as undu- lations in the tower's pyramidal roof. The central nave, situated on the sec- ond floor, has an open mahogany truss- ed ceiling and a circular arrangement of bays. The architect McKay designed a number of other buildings in Boston and outlying towns, including the Ro- manesque Immanuel Baptist Church in Cambridge. 24 Union Square Baptist Church 19. #18 Sanborn Avenue; c.1890. In the 1880's the "flat" became a fashionable suburban housing form, often with the apartments arranged in three horizontal lay- ers in what is known as a three- decker. This particular double three-decker was built in an elaborate Renaissance style be-r cause of its proximity to the Square. The expansive round bays and fine box windows on the Walnut St.
side are embel- lishments on a building type which was used extensively throughout Somerville. The tri- ple-decker became a standard housing form which was largely responsible for the high residen- tial density of the city. 20. Union Square Baptist Church; 1895-96. W. Hayes, architect; John A. Dodge, builder. A Minneapolis architect designed this extraordinary church which H has elements of both the Shingle and Romanesque styles. A square corner tower dominates the com- position of circular forms. A low- er cylindrical tower joins this square tower to the main hall, with its large, semi-circular stained glass windows. The use of brick for the lower story, clapboards for the first floor, and shingles for the top level is characteristic of the Queen Anne style.(These de- tails are obscured by new siding.) #18 Sanborn Ave. 25 21.
#8-10 Walnut Street, former- ly Somerville Journal Build- ing: 1894. Five large, arched upper windows and two floor-to-ceiling display windows distinguish this two- story brick commercial building, originally built as the office and WALNU publishing house of the Somer- ville Journal. The building was designed to accomodate new #8-10 printing equipment, especially the new linotype machine. Now used for artists' studios, the building has been occupied by a number of different commercial and civic operations over the years. 27. #33-37 Bow Street, "The Richmond"; 1892.
The use of pilasters, entablatures, arched openings, pediments and bold cornices suggests a Renaissance Revival influence in this four story store and tenement block, known as the Druit Block (after its builder, who also constructed the hotel at #58-68 Bow St.) A tower with a concave hexagonal roof is placed at the corner, and each fa- cade has several bay windows. Previous mixed-use row house buildings were divided into dis- tinctly separate vertical units, with a single living unit above each shop. This particular tene- ment, however, with the flats in horizontal layers, a design which evolved to the type of apartment we know today. DOUCLA #33-37 BOW STREET 26 20:. 22. 26 Bow Street; c.1974-84. This combined residence and doctor's office, one of six remaining from the 19th century "Doctors' Row", is an ex- cellent example of Stick Style architec- ture.
Infill between the sticks is pri- marily beaded clapboards, with board and batten under the eaves. The front entrance has a transom supported by posts and finely detailed knee braces. Wide eaves are supported by brackets. The roof includes three gables and six dormers with scroll work and vertical board and batten, and two corbelled and panelled chimneys. Interi- or mahogany paneling, tile fireplaces and stained glass windows are all in original condition. The craftsmanship throughout is excel- lent. 23. #30 Bow Street; before 1874. A Colonial Revival entry and a left wing have been added to this vernacular end- gable house; these additions reinforce the balance and proportion of the origi- nal structure. 24. #34 Bow Street; before 1874.
000t Originally a simple side-hall cottage of the 1850's, this house has been altered several times by the addition of a cross gable, an ell, and an angled projecting wing. The entire building has been giv- en a fine shingle surface and Colonial Revival detail, and is an excellent example of a house which has been remodeled with great sensitivity by several vernacular builders. 25. #36 Bow Street; before 1874. Another of the "Doctors' Row" end gable cottages, this building's asymmetries seem the result of additions over time and cannot be attributed to a specific architectural style. 27 26. #38-40 Bow Street Market Building; before 1928. This single story, six bay brick com- mercial building was formerly a fish market. 30. #42 Bow Street; before 1874.
This simple three-story bracketed man- sard house is distinguished by a full- height tower on the left which until recently had a pointed conical roof. This is a side-hall mansard, formerly sided with shingles. 31. #46 Bow Street; before 1874. This building has an amusing, eclectic assemblage of late 19th century archi- tectural details. The basic plan is of an end gable bracketed cottage, now obscured by the addition of a rounded bay window on the first floor left side, gabled dormers, and a large square bay on the right which leans heavily over the entrance and is supported by posts and braces. A cir- cular rose-shaped stained glass win- dow peers from the bay. The roof of this bay resembles a pyramid, and is built in three distinct sections. The left, rounded bay is built of Federal pi- lasters, narrow windows, and an en- tablature.
Above it sits a porch with a domed roof, surrounded and supported by finely turned woodwork. There are several stained glass windows behind this porch and in the entrance hall. #46 #42 28 BOW Lrd brd H #39-49 First United Methodist Church 28. First United Methodist Church EWHUB 0 BHHHN N 1858-74. This large brick church defines the edge of Carr Square at the curve of Bow Street. The pointed arches and mono- chrome appearance indicate early Goth- ic Revival style. The lower window arches are segmental and pointed, and the upper lancet in form; the windows are of leaded diamond-shaped stained glass. A low horizontal base, window sills, and small roof buttresses are all in granite, and there is some brick Though begun at the end of the Early Gothic Revival period, it was finished in 1874, when most such building had ceased elsewhere in the country.
The steeple which once reached 90' was removed after the hurricane of 1938. Although the church membership is declining, as is typical of most urban churches, the building continues to be actively used by community organization. 29. #39-49 Bow Street, Apartment Block; before 1900. This fine apartment block is built in a crescent shape to conform to the curve of the street, in a variant of the Queen Anne style known as panelled brick. The building has granite sills and lintels, and 1 granite keystones in the entrance arches. The brick become decorative be- tween the second and third stories, where it forms an interesting checkered pattern, projecting form the building surface by several inches. The shut- ters are 20th century additions, and never would have appeared on a build- ing of this type.
The form of the build- ing is similar in style, density and ur- ban character to many commercial blocks built during the same period. 29 #58-68 Bow Street 32. #50 Bow Street, Somerville Police Station; 1874. One of the first projects of the newly chartered city of Somerville was to erect this police station. The entrance arch and the use of contrasting colors (red brick and light granite) indicate a High Victorian Gothic style. Paired windows with segmental arched lintels having some carved detail, string- coursed granite sills on the second floor, and the now removed mansard roof are features of a style which be- gan in this area with Harvard's Memo- rial Hall. 35. #56 Bow Street; c.1860. #56 Bow St. is an excellent example of a modest side-hall end gable cottage with some Italianate detail.
This ver- nacular building made two concessions to current architectural fash- ion: the side overhang and the pitch of roof, and the rounded gable window, both of which are Italianate manner. The entire porch with its second story projection is a later addition. 36. #58-68 Bow Street; before 1900. This fine four story apartment house, built as a hotel by Mr. Druit, fills the triangular site at which Bow St. bran- ches from Somerville Ave. Large fa- cades on these two streets are charac- terized by small cornices set between shingles and clapboards, and by large cornices extending from the flat roof. The surfaces of the facades are broken at various intervals by full-height bays.
All windows have complete entablatures above them, and the third floor windows #50 BOW STREET 30 #63:61-59 each have a pediment, suggesting that they have been influenced by High Re- naissance styles of Italian city palaces. Painted in colors which are highly ap- propriate to the style, this structure provides a striking portal to the Bow St. District. 33,34,37,38 #59-61;63;73-75;77 Bow Street; all by 1884. It is interesting to look at these four houses as variations on the same theme: the basic two- family house is an end ga- ble, side-hall cottage with brick foun- dation, a form found throughout Somer- ville. The overall dimension and slope of each roof varies, and each house has a different variety of window bay. #77 Bow St. is embellished with a half-mansard roof and rounded turret; #63 has Queen Anne win- dows anda finely detailed eave board. 39.
#69 Bow Street; c.1920 Those who are familiar with the weather- vane shown here have sharp eyes. It is placed atop a small gas station which may have been one of the first to be built in Somerville. #69 Bow Street 31 RECOMMENDATIONS Keeping an older building in good shape not only provides the owner and his or her immediate neighbors with a source of pleasure, but also strongly reinforces the fragile network of the townscape. All of the buildings along a single street are bound up with one an- other, and every building has a responsibility not to upset the tex- ture and integrity of the neighborhood. Any work done on a building should be done with an awareness of the visual effect it will have on the entire streetscape. A building being preserved or renovated should retain the ele- ments of the style in which it was built.
It is impossible to recreate many building features that have been destroyed because the skill of early craftsmen and the richness of their work cannot be replaced. The best way to preserve the character while repairing an older build- ing is to replace older materials with new materials of the same kind. Surprisingly, this is seldom as costly as one would think: the price of painting a house over a 25 year period is roughly the same as in- stalling non-wood siding forthe same amount of time. The results of these investments last far beyond the present time. They provide a resource for the future which, by establishing a con- tinuity with the past and its people, offers a richness that 1s invalu- able and irreplaceable.
It is beyond the scope of this pamphlet to make more detailed suggestions as to how to maintain older buildings, but the following sources on this subject are strongly recommended: Beacon Hill Civic Association, Beacon Hill Architectural Handbook - Guides for Preservation and Modification, Boston, 1975 (227-1922) Brookline Planning Department, Vision, Inc., Fixing Up Older Houses Handbook of Exterior Renovations, Brookline, March, 1975 (333 Washington St.,Brookline, Mass. 02146)(232-9000) Greater Portland Landmarks, Inc. Advisory Service, Some Notes on Living with Old Houses, Revised, Portland, 1974. * Stephens, George, Remodeling Old Houses Without Destroying their Character; illustrations by the author, New York, 1972. ($3.95) (available in many Boston area bookstores) 32 BIBLIOGRAPHY The following books were used as source material for the written portion of this pamphlet: 1.
The American Legion, Centennial History of Somerville 1842- 1942; Post No. 19, Inc. , Somerville, Mass. , 1942 2. Cambridge Historical Commission, Survey of Architectural His- tory in Cambridge : Mid-Cambridge (Downing, MacDougall, Pearson, 1967) ; Cambridgeport (1971); Old Cambridge (Bunting; Nylander, 1973) . AII M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Mass. 3. Saylor, Henry H., Dictionary of Architecture; John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1952 4. Somerville Citizen, Semi-Centennial Programme of Semi-Centen- ial Celebration of Somerville; March 3, 1892 5. Somerville Historical Commission, Somerville: An Historical Perspective; 1974 6. The Somerville Journal Co., Somerville Journal Souvenir 1842- 1892; March 3, 1892 7. Retting, Robert Bell, Guide to Cambridge Architecture, Ten Walking Tours; M.I.T Press, Cambridge, 1969 8.
Warner, Sam B., Jr., Streetcar Suburbs: The Process of Growth in Boston, 1870-1900; M I.T Press, 1962 9. Whiffen, Marcus, American Architecture Since 1870 : A Guide to the Styles; M.I.I. Press, 1969 Cover Illustration: G. M. Hopkins & Co., ATLAS OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE. Philadelphia, 1884. 33 GNL RTT CHAGIA Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington St, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 (617) 727-8470 1l December 1975 10 Mr. Ward Jandl Review Unit National Register Office National Park Service US Department of the Interior 18th and C Streets, NW Washington, DC 20240 Dear Mr.
Jandl: RECEIVED DEC 2 2 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER To In answer to your telephone request today for further information on the architectural significance of the Bow Street District in Somerville, Massachusetts, I am enclosing a Continuation Sheet with an elaboration If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely yours, Judy 2. Nobles Judy D.
Dobbs National Register Editor Massachusetts Historical Commission /ja enclosure ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACTUSETIS Date Entered MAR 2 6 1976 Name Bwigbt-Menderson Fouse Bow Street Historic District Lce Lover Main Street Historic District Haydenville Historic District Brockton City Uell Bryart-Cushing House Location Great Berriagton Berlahire County Soervilla Middleses County Lee Berkshire County Baydcoville, Town of V11l1ansburg Hanpahire County Brockton Plymouth County Norvell Plymouth County - Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W. Brooke Mon. Silvio 0. Conte Hon. Thoras P. O'ile111, Jr. lon. James A. Burka Regional Director, North Atlantic Region LPR MOTT: djb 4/5/76 State llistoric Preservation Officer Mrn. Elizabeth R.
Aradon axecutive Director, Massachusetts Historical Cormiasion 294 Washinzton Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 INT: 2950-75 RECEIVED APR 2 7 1976 MASS. HIST. COMM, MERALD-AMERICAN BOSTON, MASS. D. 424,654 APR 22 1976 (M) NeT England Newsclip Bow st. area is giyen U.S. landmark status In an announcementat Prospect Hill Congregational City Hall yesterday, Mayor S. Lester Ralph revealed Church designedby Henry that the Bow Street Historic S. McKay in 1887, the Lam- District has been accepted bert House (1879) which is by the National Park Serv- one of six remaining from ice for listing in the Na- the nineteenth century tional Register of Historic "'Doctor's Row", the First Places..
UnitedMethodistChurch Notification by letter from (1856-74), the old Somerville Paul Guzzi, Secretary of the Police Staticn (1874) which Commonwealth, and now used as the Boys' Elizabeth Reed Amadon, State Historic Preservation Officer was recieved by the Mayor's Office ceptance became official on The Bow Street District is comprised of seventeen tled, older section of the City The district is a mixture f religious, municipal ommercial and residentia buildings which exemplify the atreosphere and charac- ter of Somorville during the late nirctcenth century. Structures in the district icclude both brick buildings With boar Stanite trim andclap- buildings With brackets and other details typical of the cra.
Among the highlights of the district are: The The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's cultural resources worthy of preser- tional Register makes prop- sidered for Federal grants- in-aid for historic preserva- tion through state programs. The Historic Sites Act of extensive responsibilitie the Sec- retary Interior to cifect, through the National Service, policy of historic preserva- The National Historic Preservation Act of 1965 ex- panded mandate and called for a brcadened pro- iram for the preservation o ell cultural PrOpert threughout the country. NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET ONBow Street Hestoric odestriet appears on federal register: 2OTHER NAMES: of entry: county code: 3-26-76 017 GLOGA TION street & number y 1 town vicinity of BoX St.
Somerville public stak MA 6NPS REGION: North Atlantic O OWNER [PRIVATE OSTATE COMUNICIPAL -COUNT AULTIPLE -FEDERAL (agency name) 9) EXISTING SURVEYS CHABS CHAER ONHL (10) FUNDED? DYES 1I)CONGRESS. DISTRICT private.
8 12) SOURCE oF NOMINATION BYES (CONDITION Dexcellent Agood Dfair - deteriorated Jaltered Oruins Dunexposed Ounaltered Oreconstructed Ounexcavated Oexcavated BACCESS OYES -Restricted KyES - Unrestricted - No Access @ AREAS OF SIGNIF] CANCE: DENGINEERING - 11 CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 XCOMMERCE-6 -ENTERTAINMENT-26 -ARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS-7 CEXPLORATION -12 TAGRICULTURE -3 TARCHITECTURE -4 - CONSERVATION - 8 - HEALTH-27 - ECONOMICS- 9 - INDUSTRY- 13 - ART-5 - EDUCATION-10 -INVENTION -14 Xoriginal site 17) features: Omoved Ounknown - Unknown - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - LAW -16 - LITERATURE-17 - MILITARY - 18 - MUSIC- 19 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 -LSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-] OONOT INTACT-O T-UNKNOWN-4 ) NOT APPLICABLE-7 (19 ADAPTIVE USE CYES XNO SAVED?
OYES - POLITICS/ GOVT.* 21 -RECREATION -28 - RELIGION-22 LSETTLEMENT-29 - SCIENCE- 23 URBAN PLANMING-31 -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24OTHER (SPECIFY) - SOCIAL / CULTURAL-30 - TRANSPORTATION- 25 ounty Middlesex ) ADMINISTRATOR : ASTATE LFEDERAL if state who prepared form? ACREAGE 3 OLOCAL -PRIVATE ORGANIZATION «ASUBSTANTIALLY INTACT -2 INTACT - 3 2O NOT INTACT-O OONOT INTACT - O WOUNKNOWN-5 5O UNKNOWN-6 ÃO NOT APPLICABLE-8 ZONOT APPLICABLE - 9 IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT res O CLAIMS: explain first'O 'oldest' O 'only' D Bfunctions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIEICANT: commercial /residéntión CURRENTLY: ditto architectural style(s): RomanesQue Reviva Queen anne ©landscape arohtteet/ garden designer: " interior decorator: edates of initial constructiony major alterations : lastha 1ath C. Mid historic events: late 19thC.
ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION Darchitect: Smaster builder: engineer: artist: artisan: @builder/contractor: NAMES PERSONAL: give role & date EVENTS: INSTITUTIONAL: 3NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UF Primaruy resiential district of IT frame or masonry 2'12- - 3'2-story Structures; Notable are the Bow fronted Faulkner apartment block (1900), the Romanesoue revival Prospect Hil Congregational Church (1887), and the Queen Anne-Stick style, bambert fouse (1874). Developed post-Ciril War with advent of streetcax, allounig, commute from bostonfor work) Boro st. replaced as main throughfore curcs 1850; retain's l9th c. integrity. lreviewers initials Qeoff_datal. 10.18 IIF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE
Block