Nomination for Central Fire Station

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev.

10-74) PH0355178 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATA SHEEI FOR NPS USE ONLY JUN 1 8 1977 RECEIVED NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM DATE ENTERED JUL 25 1977 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME HISTORIC ** Central Fire Station AND/OR COMMON same 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 40 Pleasant Street CITY, TOWN Brockton STATE Massachusetts -VICINITY OF CODE 02401 NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 11th COUNTY Plymouth CODE 023 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY DISTRICT X_BUILDING(S) STRUCTURE SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP X PUBLIC _PRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION IN PROCESS -BEING CONSIDERED STATUS XOCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE XYES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED _NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE -_MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL -PARK _EDUCATIONAL PRIVATE RESIDENCE ENTERTAINMENT RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION MILITARY &OTHER Fire -Station OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Brockton Fire Department STREET & NUMBER 40 pleasant Street CITY.

TOWN Brockton - VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE Massachusetts , 02401 COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC. Plymouth County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER Russell Street CITY, TOWN STATE Massachusetts, 02360 Plymouth REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1976 _FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTYLOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN Massachusetts Historical Commission Boston STATE Massachusetts 02108 DESCRIPTION CONDITION X EXCELLENT _GOOD -FAIR _DETERIORATED -RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE XUNALTERED ALTERED CHECK ONE X ORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

Central Fire Station is located on Pleasant Street in downtown Brockton in a mixed commercial/residential area. The exterior of the building has changed little since its construction in 1884. The 3 story, Mansard roof structure is of red brick with a granite foundation. Fenestration is tall narrow windows of either 1/1 or 2/2. A corbelled brick table encircles the building beneath the slate roof. The symmetrical facade faces north toward Pleasant Street. It is dominated by a central projecting pavilion; the first story of this is dominated by two engine bays whose 5x6 panel wooden doors are painted green and white. The second and third hori- zontal bands of panels at the top of the doors are glass. The doors are topped by a plain frieze and molded cornice supported by end brackets. Above each door is a TAS OV Cater dEOs igdo group of 3 half windows with granite lintels and sills.

At the center of these window groupings is a raised granite plaque noting the date of the building's erection. The third story has three decorative dormers painted green. The center dormer is composed of paired 1/1 windows. This is flanked by the 2/2 window dormers on either side. A11 three are framed by molded architraves and headed by a wide, projecting, molded en- tablature. The narrow east and west elevations of the pavillion each contain a tall wooden door headed by a 2/2 window on the second story. Flanking the center pavillion is the main body of the building. Both the eastern and western facade ends have an engine bay identical to those in the projection. These bays are topped by two 2/2 windows on the second story and by a single 2/2 dormer win- dow in the roof.

The five bay deep east and west elevations have five segmentally arched 2/2 windows on each story, and three dormers identical to those on the facade. These dormers are flanked by tall chimneys with molded brick ornament on either side. The rear (southern) portion of the roof shows the square, flat roofed uppermost portion of the hose drying tower. This structure was originally decorated with ornate brackets and had a peaked roof. It contained a bell which was used as the fire alarm. A small one story wing which houses offices and equipment was added to the west elevation at some unknown time.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD -PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 -1500-1599 1600-1699 -1700-1799 X 1800-1899 1900- AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC_COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC _CONSERVATION -LAW AGRICULTURE _ECONOMICS - LITERATURE X ARCHITECTURE LEDUCATION _MILITARY ART -ENGINEERING MUSIC _COMMERCE -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY _COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT XINVENTION _RELIGION _SCIENCE _SCULPTURE -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1884 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT waldo V. Howard Brockton's Central Fire Station is significant for a technological achievement and as a well preserved and maintained example of the Second Empire Style of architecture. Although it cannot be described as a high style example of Second Empire architecture, it remains one of the finest examples of its style in Brockton. The Central Fire Station was completed in 1884, one year after the Edison Electric Illuminating Company power station began operation. This was the first three-wire underground electric distribution system in the country, and Central Fire Station has the first electrically illuminated fire station in the nation. The building was designed by Waldo V. Howard, one of Brockton's most successful late 19th century architects.

Like scores of small city architects throughout New England, Howard worked in a variety of revival styles popular in Victorian America. Besides the Fire Station, Howard is known to have designed the Italianate Satucket Block on Main Street, the Romanesque Gardner Block on Center Street and the Queen Anne First Universalist Church on Cottage Street, all in Brockton.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Brockton Weekly Gazette - 1884 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY -26 of an acre UTM REFERENCES AL19 ZONE 33218001 EASTING 450P1329 NORTHING C 1ilu VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION ZONE DLL LASTING VORTHING LIILu 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 Blaine Mallory and Joseph Orfant, National Register Editor (John R.

Wilson, Brockton City Planner) ORGANIZATION DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission June 1, 1977 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 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 cmena ad rcdurs e rt he aina rar li.. STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Gk TITLE Executive Director, Mass.

Histonical Commission Rud Amalon DATE 66/ FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY NATIONAL REGISTER ATTEST: DATE KEMPER OF THE NAVLONAY DATE 7-12-77 DEGISTER 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 RECEIVED JUN 1 3 1977 JUL 25 1977 DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER PAGE SKETCH MAP I" = 100' PLEASANT ST. FIRE ALARM HEADQUARTERS CENTRAL FIRE STATION FIRST PARISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH GREEN ST.

Central Fire Station Brockton, Massachusetts Sketch Map Scale: 1"=100' 1968 Sanborn Insurance Maps Property Central Fire Station State Working Number Massachusetts TECHNICAL Photos - 2 Maps 6.13.77.938 Plymanth CONTROL OK 6.14.22 HISTORIAN Acceet Fran 7.14.7 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN ccep ebovie I thita oe File aud Cmpine Fre 7/14/71 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER Does structue setoun origenal far iabentory- HAER ectrical wrina? If not, et is of see #8 little signiucane withen the context of Induslua Inventory Review archeology, Plotos are of very soor qualty, Elio 1/15/22 REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Quspr Cole 7.19.11 BRANCH CHIEF Hhuny 7.22-77 KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 9.6-27 Send-back Re-submit Entered 7/27 JUL 25 1977 INT:2106-74 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No.

7 Central Fire Station Brockton, Massachusetts October, 1976 JUN 13 1977 John R. Wilson Office of the City Planner City Hall, Brockton, Mass. 02401 Photo #1%2 North facade and East elevation. Plymoutl County JUL 25 1977 Phito +1 vaw from NE shouing frmt & leff sides Taie PAdPCITY Of THE NATOKAL REGISTER Central Fire Station Brockton, Massachusetts October, 1976 JUN 13 1977 John R. Wilson Office of the City Planner City Hall, Brockton, Mass. Photo #2 %B North facade and west elevation. Plymouth Counly JUL 25 1977 Photo #2 new from NW Shruirg tront + right sides PROPERTY OF THE NAT.ONAL -REGISTER ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered JUL 25 1977 Name Location Central Pire Station Snov Fountain and Clock Kingman, Gardner J., House Brockton Plymouth County Brockton Plymouth County Brockton Plynouth County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W.

Brooke Hon. James A. Burke Regional Director, North Atlantie Region State Historie Preservation Officer Mes. Elizabeth R. Amadon Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Comnlasion 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 880 MMott/row 7/29/77 -Advisory Council On Historic Preservation 1522 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 - July 16, 1980 Plymoth Mr. Andrew E. Kauders Special Assistant for the Environment Economic Development Administration Department of Commerce Washington, D.C. 20230 Dear Mr. Kauders: We have received your letter of June 26, 1980, in which you determined that proposed Economic Development Administration energy conservation improve- ments would have no adverse effect on the "City Hall Annex and Administra- tion Builiding" (Old Post Office) and the "Central Fire Station," Brockton, Massachusetts.

Both properties are included in the National Register of Historic Places. The Executive Director objects to yor determination because your proposed grant condition does not provide a method of resolving disagreement between the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and the applicant, should they be unable to agree on final project plans. Pursuant to Section 800.6(a) (2) of the Council's regulations (36 CFR Part 800), the Executive Director will withdraw this objection if the following condition is included in the grant offer.

Prior to the commencement of rehabilitation activities, the Grantee agrees to provide evidence satisfactory to the Government that the SHPO has had the opportunity to review and comment upon the final plans and specifications for the "City Hall Annex and Administation Builiding" (O1d Post Office Building), and the "Central Fire Station." If, after review of the plans, the SHPO is of the opinion that the project will adversely affect the resources, the matter will be referred to EDA for application of the Council regulations as appropriate. If you agree to this condition, please sign on the concurrence line below and return this letter to us. This will then be incorporated into your determination and the Executive Director will withdraw his objection to your determination of no adverse effect.

2 In accordance with Section 800.9 of the Council's regulations, a copy of your determination of no adverse effect, along with supporting documentation and this concurrence, should be included in any assessment or statement prepared for this undertaking in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and should be included in your records as evidence of your compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Council's regulations. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, por Mhacon Jordan E. Tannenbaum Chief, Eastern Division of Project Review I concur: date Advisory Council On Historic Preservation 1522 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 July 31, 1980 Mr. Andrew E. Kauders Special Assistant for the Environment Economic Development Administration Department of Commerce Washington, D.C. 20230 Plymouth co Dear Mr.

Kauders: On July 29, 1980, we received the concurrence to the condition for your determination that the proposed Economic Development Administration energy conservation improvements would not adversely affect the "City Hall Annex and Administration Building" (O1d Post Office) and the "Central Fire Station," Brockton, Massachusetts, a property included in the National Register of Historic Places. A copy of that letter is enclosed. As you agree to this condition, the Executive Director does not object to your determination of no adverse effect. Thank youfor your cooperation. Sincerely, ynanc.V launenlaen Jordan E. Tannenbaum Shief, Eastern Division of Project Review Enclosure NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEE1 1NAME as it appears on federal register: ©OTHER NAMES: 4 county code: Central Fire Station 23 5 LOCATION street & number city / town 40 Pleasant St.

Brockton OWNER -PRIVATE OSTATE X MUNICIPAL OCOUNTY OMULTIPLE -FEDERAL(agency name) 9 EXISTING SURVEYS CHABS LHAER ONHL (10) FUNDED? OYES -NO UCONGRESS. DISTRICT 11th 12SOURCE OF NOMINATION BIS HISTORIE vicinity of state MA county date JUL 25 1977 6NPS REGION: Plymouth NA GADMINISTRATOR: XXSTATE -FEDERAL if state who prepared form?

BIESE ECONDITION - deteriorated Zexcellent Oruins Ogood Dunexposed Ofair Ounexcavated BACCESS OYES-RestrictedDYES-Unrestricted AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : -ARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric -2 OCOMMERCE-6 - ARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS-7 - AGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION - 8 / ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS - 9 - ART-5 EDUCATION-10 B VES B HO -3 -LOCAL OPRIVATE ORGANIZATION Oaltered Zunaltered Oreconstructed Oexcavated Ooriginal site 17) features: *OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 ESUBSTANTIALLY INTACT -2 2CSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT -3 Omoved QONOT INTACT-O 20 NOT INTACT-O OONOT INTACT -O Ounknown ZUNKNOWN-4 WUNKNOWN-5 SO UNKNOWN-6 2O NOT APPLICABLE-7 WONOT APPLICABLE-8 ZO NOT APPLICABLE - 9 - No Access CENGINEERING-11 CENTERTAINMENT-26 -EXPLORATION -12 - HEALTH-27 - INDUSTRY-13 / INVENTION -14 - Unknown - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - LAW -16 - LITERATURE- 17 - MILITARY- 18 - MUSIC - 19 - PHILOSOPHY -20 ADAPTIVE USE OYES OONO SAVED?

DYES IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT? Dyes Ono - POLITICS/ GOVT.* 21 -RECREATION -28 CLAIMS: explain 'first' O C RELIGION-22 [ SETTLEMENT-29 - SCIENCE- 23 CURBAN PLANNING-31 'oldest' O - SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24 DOTHER (SPECIFY) - SOCIAL / CULTURAL -30 - TRANSPORTATION-25 'only' D functions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: CURRENTLY: architectural style(s): dates of initial construction: 1884 major alterations : historic events: ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION Carchitect: WALDO landscape architeet / garden designer: a interlor decorator: 2 master builder: engineer: Y.

artist: artisan: builder/contractor: -NAMES give role & date PERSONAL: EVENTS : INSTITUTIONAL: 3NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP Oneof Brochuton s lad example of zad Empure and the furst throu wire undegrand olctei distibution supebem in the coumtay and Entrad Fira station has the fuit eletically illuminatas fire stabein in te notiin. Brik, Jsy, restangula, menoard, ceutial peijection, corbellel cornice, 4 garese touro, reviewers initials LEBOUIA 1/14/77 |IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSED