Nomination for Merrill's Wharf Historic District

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATA SHEET FOR NPS USE ONLY MAY 311977 RECEIVED NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM DATE ENTERED NOV 11 1977 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME HISTORIC Merrill's Wharf Historic District AND/OR COMMON Merrill's Wharf Historic District 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER Waterfront side of MacArthur Drive CITY, TOWN New Bedford STATE VICINITY OF CODE 025 -NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 12th Massachusetts COUNTY CODE Bristol 3 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION 005 CATEGORY XDISTRICT -BUILDING(S) -STRUCTURE SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP XPUBLIC _PRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION IN PROCESS 06 _BEING CONSIDERED:t 1a STATUS -OCCUPIED X UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE - YES: RESTRICTED -YES: UNRESTRICTED 22NO-:1na PRESENT USE _AGRICULTURE -MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL _PARK _EDUCATIONAL -PRIVATE RESIDENCE _ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS _GOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL X_TRANSPORTATION "LMILITARYI _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY :t21.5 ce 90 1 soed: este 3i agecert?

NAME New Bedford Redevelopment Authority 3htaue te mottrougret STREET & NUMBER South Sixth Street CITY. TOWN New Bedford STATE Massachusetts 02740 - VICINITY OF 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC. Bristol County Southern District Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER 25 North Sixth Street CITY TOWN STATE New Bedford Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS DSns.90 059 9. 003 TITLE Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1975 _FEDERAL XSTATE _COUNTY _LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN Massachusetts Historical Commission Boston STATE Massachusetts 7- DESCRIPTION CONDITION -EXCELLENT _GOOD -FAIR *DETERIORATED -RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE -UNALTERED * ALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Merrill's Wharf Historic District consist of just under one acre on the New Bedford Waterfront and contains the Steamship Authority Pier, the Coal Pocket Pier, the unaltered portion of Merrill's Wharf, and the Merrill's wharf Building. The Wharf Building is also known as the Bourne Counting House, and the Durant Sail Loft. The waterfront areas to the north and south contain numerous wharfs and structures substantially altered or of more recent construction. To the west of the historic district, is the South Terminal Urban Renewal area which includes open land and new con- struction. The three piers retain their original wooden pilings and wooden plank sur- facing. The Coal Pocket Pier (#1) was built in the 1850's as a whaling pier for Captain Merrill's operations. The Steamship Authority Pier (#2) was built in 1838.

The Merrill's Wharf Building (#3) is a three story, rectangular loft struc- ture. The masonry walls are ramdon ashlar granite from a Fall River quarry. The roof is a slight angled ridge roof with box cornice and a slight gable on the facade. The facade is five bays wide. The center bay has doubled sash at the second floor and a door for hoist loading at the third. En- trances on the ground floor are located in the central bay and the first northern bay. The few remaining sash are fragments of 6/6. The side ele- vations are divided into four sections, each three bays wide. The second and third sections are divided by a blind bay with a entry on the ground floor. The ground floor of each section is composed of an entry in the middle bay, flanked by windows in the side bays. The second floor of the first and fourth sections are canposed of windows in each bay.

The third floor of these sections is relieved by a single window opening in the middle bay. The second floor of the second and third sections has a large opening in the central bay for hoist loading flanked by window openings in the side bays. This is repeated at the third floor of these sections. The large opening of the third section second floor has been replaced by a three sided oriel. There are six interior brick chimneys. The Merrill's Wharf Building was built in 1847-48 and originally stood 3½ stories with a ridge roof with cupola and full gables with loading doors on the facade and rear elevation. This attic loft floor was removed after a fire in 1926. During reconstruct ion a new 12" square hard pine beam was installed and several floor joists damaged by fire were replaced. Original fenestration was 6/6.

The structure was damaged by fire in 1974 with attendant damage to the in- terior and roof. Most of the window sashes were also destroyed. The first floor has been secured, but the upper floors are exposed to the elements. The property is presently owned by the New Bedford Redevelopment Authority. The Authority hopes to sell the property to a developer who will restore the attic loft floor.

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- ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE ART *COMMERCE -COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -CONSERVATION LLAW ECONOMICS - LITERATURE -EDUCATION _MILITARY XENGINEERING -MUSIC _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY _INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT INVENTION _RELIGION SCIENCE _SCULPTURE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -THEATER XTRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1837 BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Captain Edward Merrill STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Merrill's Wharf Historic District is significant as the only remaining unaltered portion of New Bedford's waterfront. The structures were all built during the first half of the 19th century during New Bedford's pros- perity as a whaling center. The property was originally owned by the Rotch family, who sold it to cap- tain Edward Merrill in 1837. He built the counting house (3) and two of the piers for his own whaling business. The Merrill family owned the pro- perty until 1905. In 1848, Edward Bourne established his whaling business here. Bourne eventually owned more whaling ships than any other ship owner in New England. His counting house office interior was left intact for thirty-six years, according to his family's wishes, and after surviving the fire of 1926 was moved to the Whaling Museum.

In 1925, Gilkey, Durant and Company started their sail making business here where it remained until 1968. The Coal Pocket Pier (#1) was originally built in the 1850's as a whaling pier for Captain Merrill's business. It was later known as the Lumber wharf and the School Street wharf. When it was later used as an unloading site for coal for the utility company, it came to be known by its present name. It is now used by the city's lobster boats. The Steamship Authority Pier (#2) was built in 1838 and was the debarking point for boats to the island for well over a hundred years. In the 1950's the Steamship Authority moved to Woods Hole. The pier is presently used by lobstermen.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Baker, Benjamin B.; Reports, Agent for Capt. Edward Merrill, New Bedford Whaling Museum New Bedford Standard Times: May. 1, 1927, Aug. 7, 1929, Feb. 21, 1936, May 3, 1964. New Bedford City Maps: 1850, 1881, 1911. Bristol County Atlases: 1871, 1895. Bristol County Southern District Registry of Deeds 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY _ .9 acre UTM REFERENCES A1,9 3/4,010,0,0 EASTING 14,611,0160,0 NORTHING VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION EASTING NORTHING ZONE DLL 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 ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN Boston Tenney Lantz New Bedford, Office of Historic Joseph R.

Orfant, National Register Editor & Preservation DATE May 19, 1977 TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 STATE Massachusetts 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL- STATE X LOCAL - As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665). I 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 Eschet Rued Amadon TITLE Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical CommissionDATE 5/23/27 FOR NPS USE ONLY ATTEST. DHREGTOR-PRREE OFARCHEOLOGY AND HIS KEEPER OFTHE-NATIONAL-REGISTER DATE OE TEE DATE (112) ISTER 1-10-77 GPO 892-453 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 MAY 31 1977 RECEIVED DATE ENTERED NOV 1 1 1977 CONTINUATION SHEET New Bedford: Merrill's Wharf Historic District ITEM NUMBER District Sketch Map not to scale PAGE Steamship Authority P er MacArthur Acushnet River Coal Pocket Pier (1) Merrill's Wharf Bldg. Property pheniill's Wharf Nistone Distrit State Mass. Working Number 5.31.27.893 Bristol TECHNICAL CONTROL Photos - 4 pl Maps 6.2.21 HISTORIAN 1/.9.77 ash what are the definte ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN v. of the trildig. 1/16/47KBih/27 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory _ Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Accept Lebovril 11/10/77 BRANCH CHIEF Since romd hy udenderpou authenty udanlopaat. uiis shote le.

National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 2.7.>8 Send-back Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 1.100Z KEEPER con 11143) NOV 1 1 1977 INT:2106-74 Bristol Courly Merrill's Wharf Historic District New Bedford, MA. 1976 MAY 31 1977 Ben Watkins Office of Historic Preservation 133 William St., New Bedford, MA. Photo #1 B4 Looking northeast towards the south side NOOf the Merrill's Wharf Building 111977 PROPERTY OF THE NATIC BristolCo. Merrill's Wharf Historic District New Bedford, MA. Ben Watkins, 1976 Office of Historic Preservation 133 William Street, New Bedford, MA. Photo #2 o4 Looking northeast towards the Steamship Authority Pier NOV 1 1 1977 MAY 31 1977 PROPERTY DF THE NAT Merrill's Wharf Historic District Bristil Counly New Bedford, MA. 1976 Ben Watkins Office of Historic Preservation 133 William St.

New Bedford, MAAY 31 1977 Photo #3074 Looking northeast towards the west and south sides of the Merrill's Wharf Bldg. NOV 11 1977 PROPERTV (-i niimipie PROPERTY OF THE NATI Merrill's Wharf Historic District Teyisto ( County New Bedford, MA. Ben Watkins Office of Historic Preservation 133 William Street, New Bedford, MA- Photo #4 0/4 Looking northeast towards Coal Pocket Pier and the Steamship Authority Pier MAY 31 1977 NOV 11 1977 PROPERT: OF THE MT PAUL GUZZI Secrelary of the Commonucalth 27 May 1977 The Commonrocalth of Massachusetts Ofice of the Secretary Massachusells Historical Commission 291 Mashinglon Stred Boston Massachusells 02108 TNID RECEIVED MAY 31 1979 NATIONAL REGISTER -8 Mr. Charles Herrington, Chief Registration Branch National Register of Historic Places Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C.

20240 Dear Charles: Enclosed please find nomination forms for the following properties: 1. New Bedford: Merrill's Wharf Historic District 2. Pittsfield: Old Central Fire Station 3. Taunton: Church Green Historic District These properties have all been voted and reviewed by the State Review Board and signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer, Elizabeth Reed Amadon. Sincerely Yours, Patricia L. Weslowski Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission encs PLW/jro WASO-166 (August 1971) U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TELEPHONE REPORT DATE 1/9/77 TIME OF '00 1. CALL CI TO: AI FROM (NAmO) Geseph Onfant 2. ADDRESS (Tel. No. if needed) Mass, Pusenatin office 3. SUBJECT, PROJECT NO., ETC. Merill's whaf A.D. 4. DETAILS OF DISCUSSION The rehar. plan call fo purchase Mus. deeloper and inret the hag. int housing wnith.

fhe "9 acu" eque i accurate; it endule onl the land portins of the hhay NAME OF PERSON PLACING/RECEIVING CALL Pitt Ruh dist. ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered NOV 11 1977 Name Cuming, Dr. John, House Smith, Samuel, Tavern Site Fowle, Edmund, House Merr111's Wharf Historic District Location Concord vicinity Middlesex County Wellfleet vicinity Barnstable County Watertown Middlesex County New Bedford Bristol County 11/16/77 Mott/js Also Notified CO Hon. Edward W. Brooke Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Paul Isongas Hon. Gerry E. Studds Hon. Thomas P. O'Neil1, Jr. Mr. David F. Hales, Deputy Assistant for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Mr. F. Ross Holland, Chief, Cultural Resource Management Regional Director, North Atlantic Region State Historic Preservation Officer Mrs. Elizabeth R.

Amadon Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachugetts 02108 NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET DNAME as it appears on federal register: @OTHER NAMES: 2)date of entry: county code: Merrill's Wharf Historic District NOV 11 19// 3LOCATION street & number city town vieinity of MacArthur Dr. New Bedford state MA county L(6)NPS REGION: 05 NA OWNER OPRIVATE OSTATE X MUNICIPAL -COUNTY MULTiPLE CFEDERAL (agency name) EXISTING SURVEYS -HABS -HAER ONHL 10) FUNDED? DYES ONO CONGRESS. DISTRICT 12th (12)SOURCE of NOMINATION Bristol 8ADMINISTRATOR: XSTATE -FEDERAL if state.who prepared form?

STORIC BISTRIET ACREAGE OLOCAL -PRIVATE ORGANIZATION LXES ECONDITION Dexcellent Ogood Ofair - deteriorated Oruinsi Dunexposed Dunexcavated Daltered Ounaltered Oreconstructed -excavated Doriginal site Omoved Ounknown 17)features: OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 -OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT- 2 2 OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT -3 ONOT INTACT-O 2M NOT INTACT- O QONOT INTACT - O WOUNKNOWN-4 OUNKNOWN-5 5O UNKNOWN-6 :ONOT APPLICABLE-7 JO NOT APPLICABLE-8 ZO NOT APPLICABLE - 9 (8ACCESS OYES-Restricted DYES - Unrestricted - No Access - Unknown ADAPTIVE USE CYES ONO SAVED? DYES IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?

DyesOno AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : CENGINEERING-11 - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - POLITICS / GOVT.- 21 -RECREATION -28 @CLAIMS: explain 'first' O -ARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 - COMMERCE-6| -ENTERTAINMENT-26 - LAW - 16 - RELIGION- 22 - SETTLEMENT-29 - ARCHEOLOGY - historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS - 7 CEXPLORATION -12 - LITERATURE - 17 - SCIENCE- 23 CURBAN PLANNING-31 'oldest' O - AGRICULTURE -3| - CONSERVATION - 8 C HEALTH-27 - MILITARY- 18 O SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24 DOTHER (SPECIFY) -ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS- 9 - INDUSTRY - 13 - MUSIC - 19 - SOCIAL / CULTURAL- 30 'only' D -ART-5 - EDUCATION-10| - INVENTION - 14 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 - TRANSPORTATION -25 2) functions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: CURRENTLY: 6 architectural style(s): dates of initial construction: major alterations : historic events: ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION architect: master builder: engineer: landscape architect / garden designer: S interior decorator: artist: artisan: -builder/contractor: BNAMES give role & date PERSONAL: EVENTS: INSTITUTIONAL: BNATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP Treviewers initials.

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