Nomination for Fields Corner Municipal Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries - complete applicable sections 1. Name historic Fields Corner Municipal Building and/or common 2. Location same street & number 1 Arcadia Street, corner 195 Adams Street city, town Boston (Dorchester) e vicinity of congressional district state Massachusetts 3. Classification code 025 county Suffolk Category _ district X building(s) - structure .site object Ownership X public - private both Public Acquisition in process _ being considered Status occupied X unoccupied work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted yes: unrestricted no Present Use _ agriculture _ commercial _ educational _ entertainment X government industrial - military 4.

Owner of Property name City of Boston Public Facilities Dept. Attn: Michael Killion street & number 137 Milk Street city, town Boston - vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Suffolk County Registry of Deeds street & number Pemberton Square Boston city, town state 6. Representation in Existing Surveys title 1) Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts date 1977 has this property been determined elegible? _ federal X state depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston 02109 (CONTINUED NEXT PAGE) MA state For HCRS use only received SEP 17 1901 date entereN OV 1 2 1981 not for publication Ninth code 025 museum park private residence _ religious scientific transportation x other: vacant Massachusetts Massachusetts - yes .county X no local 7.

Description Condition excellent good X fair _ deteriorated _ ruins unexposed Check one X unaltered - altered Check one original site _moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

Field Corner Municipal Building 7. Description The Fields Corner Municipal Building is located in the Fields Corner section of Dorchester, Boston's largest neighborhood, at the corner of Adams and Arcadia Streets. It is situated on a small, sparsely landscaped lot near the intersection of the main thoroughfares of Dorchester Avenue and Adams Street. The Municipal Building is a 2½-story brick structure, erected in 1874 andmost probably designed by City Architect George A. Clough. The building is H-shaped in plan, with gabled wings and High Victorian Gothic styling. Limestone trim is used extensively în window lintels and stringcourses. Unifying the various masses of the structure are fenestration detailing, an arcaded brick stringcourse at the cornice, parapeted dormers, and a slate tiled roof. Paired windows emphasize the symmetry of the building.

The first and attic floors have pointed arch windows, while the second story has strictly rectangular openings; bold 1imestone architraves ornament both types. The Adams Street facade of the Municipal Bullding 1s three bays long, with a three-story central pavilion featuring a parapeted gable and a pointed arch entrance. The corresponding western wing of the building... is distinguised by a cupola with its original weathervane. A decorative cast iron fence runs along the perimeter of the lot and up the high flight of stairs to the facade entrance. :390 Tauh 1013I T0 :is visech "..E0 2330 :drpitnicn g vy erpen prgy *:0) 23 9190 r.*a aath:" 0 8.

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 SignificanceCheck and justify below - archeology-prehistoric - community planning - archeology-historic - conservation - agricuiture - economics x architecture _ education art _ engineering commerce - exploration/settlement - communications - industry _ invention landscape architecture law literature military .musIc philosophy X politics/government Builder/Architect George A. Clough (?) religion science _ sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation - other (specify) Specific dates 1874-1875 Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) 8. Significance The Fields Corner Municipal Building retains integrity of location, design, materials and work- manship. It is sigificant as a fine example of the High Victorian Gothic style and is a unique example of this style in the Dorchester area. Additionally, the building is an example of the work of Boston's first City Architect, George A. Clough, and is significant for its role in community development. The property thus meets Criteria A and Cof the National Register. Altonghte bullin permisandrecorsnotonereistore iicpal Bunlding,1015 generally thought that Clough (1843-ca. 1916) - who began designing schools tor the city 1r 1872 and became the first City Architect in 1873 - is the building's architect. Clough learned drafting from his father, who was a Matne shipbuilder, and studied under George Snell of the Boston firm of Snell & Gregerson.

He opened his own firm in 1869. Clough's most prominent buildings are the Suffolk County Courthouse in Pemberton Square (1000-89) and Boston Latin and English H1gh School (1877). He worked in a number of eclectic styles and is credited with introducing "the German system, which provides for con- structing the building around open courts, thus affording ample light and ventilation to all parts of it... " Although not built around an open court as were the Courthouse and High School, the Municipal Butlding does provide generous light and ventilation through 1ts H-plar and paired fenestration. Symmetry and balance-- of plan, scale, and massing -- also charac- terize most of Clough's work. George Clough is credited with designing over 25 schools for the City of Boston, several local churches, and numerous other municipal buildings and public and charitable institutions in the Boston area.

Besides being significant for its architectural merit and association with the first City Architect, the Municipal Building is important for its strong community identity and for its contribution to the civic and cultural history of Dorchester. The building was originally constructed as a replacement for the old District 11 Police Station that was located on Hancock The eastern wing of the Muntcipal Bullding, facing Adams Street, housed the nev police station, with jail cells (still remaining) in the basement. The rear (western) wing was designed as the Dorchester branch of the Boston Public Library, the first such branch system in the United States. The building also served for a time as a district court.

The Municipal Building is also significant for its visual impact on the neighborhood, and its preservation is seen by the City of Boston as a key to the revitalization of Fields Corner.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References See continuation sheet. fint 10. Geographical Data ACREAGE NOT VERTIED Acreage of nominated property 7,500 square feet Quadrangle name - Boston South UTM NOT VERiGuadrangle scale 1:25,000 UMT References ^ LIgl 3310114,0 Zone Easting cLlLI ELL 1416|815|115,0/ Northing LlLuJ HLLL LiLu LILL Easting Northing -LLLLu LLLLLL FLIJ LLI LLL LLLL GL1 LLLL Verbal boundary description and justification Please refer to the attached map. 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 Candace Jenkins, National Register Coordinator/by Boston Landmarks Commission and Massachusetts Historical Commission /by Neighborhood Development Agency July 1981 date 294 Washington Street 617 727-8470 street & number telephone city or town Boston state Massachusetts 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 thecriteria and procedures set forth by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. State Historic Preservation Officer signature Patrcia R. Neslowoki title Executive Director, Mass.

Historical Commission date 9/1/51 For HCRS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Entered in the Uous National Begister, of the National Hegister date 11/12/81 date Attest: Chief of Registration GPO 938 835 FHR-8-300A (11/78) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR HCRS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED SEP 1784 NOV 12 1981 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 6 & 9 PAGE 1 6. Representation in Existing Surveys (continued) 2. Dorchester/Mattapan Preservation Survey Boston Landmarks Commission, Boston City Hall, Boston, MA 1977 9. Bibliographical References Herndon, Richard. Boston of Today, Boston, Boston Post Publishing Co., 1892, p. 186. King, Moses. King's Handbook of Boston, Boston, 1878, p. 118-119.

National Cyclopedia of American Biography, James T. White & Co., 1892, Vol. 7, p. 480. "Proceedings at the Dedication of the Dorchester Branch Library," January 18, 1875, City Document #24, City of Boston. Whitehill, Walter, M. Boston Public Library: A Centennial History, Cambridge, MA. 1956, p. 134-138. Withey, Henry F. & Elsie R. Biographical Dictionary of American Architects (Deceased), Los Angeles, 1956, p. 127. Who was Who in America, THE A.N. Marquis Co., Chicago, 1943, Vol. 1, Copy 3, p. 232. 5000 WALL WALL 4140 5935 5881 5835 5989 740T 3748 WALL WALL 39 31 35 333 BENJAMIN CUSHING EL.

SCHOOL 25,032 46 1731 4A 3611 5/44 500 500 6500 5614 3865 MONTELLO 5664 WALL 6850 WALL 259 2255 587 STREET 1848 2255 12 1949 204%g CORWIN 2870 6608 6567 1825 3440 3/50 3332 2364 4764 6563 1038 2800 7150 10,104 25 23 STREET 4200 7468 STREET 32-26 TOLEDO ARCADIA 24 22 3500 2000 18 ARCADIA 16 15,000 5500 5500 FIELDS CORNER MUNICIPAL BUILDING 5500 Arcadia St., (Dorchester ),Boston, MA 1"=100' SEP 1 7 UTM: 19/330140/4685150 NOV 12 1981 5000 5000 WALL 3Y CLEVELAND SCHOOL WALL 2405 2405 WALL 4140 WALL 5045 158 174 3 WALL STREET WALL 115 40,300 PARKING 6000 280 2450 WALL IMMA NUEL BAPTIST CHURCH 11.250/7500 MUNICIPAL BLDG.

DORCHESTER BR BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ADAMS STREET 195 4200 3505 2795 9518 STREET 20 203 205 207 20,237 215 219 221 223 5875 26,160 1443C 1445 ()1447 01449 1451 1453 1455 1457 1459 1448 452 5/30 1454 1456 4564 3827 3 16 3640 1458 460 22,547 16,943 8650 6000 415PALLS 5268 9960 4701 190,945 1858 1830 1437 6920 96 1429 198 A31 1433 9Et 6900 1437 5065 4500 4500 7482 DUE 10/11/81 - "/1/81 Name State, County tielto Corper Muniupal Suilden dnr-3 taffolr Fed Nom of Request-Agency Working Number_ 9.17.81:340 Federal Register Date Nomination B1dg(s) _ Determination of Eligiblity Site _ On Nomination Form: - Object - Structure Within: Multiple Resource Area Thematie Group - Maps L) Distriet Photos 5 Nomination prepared by: v State Staff ZLocal - Other Action: ACCEPT LRETURN 70//8/ REJECT Check if Appropriate: State Reguest for Revien - Keeper's Decision to Revien -2nd Return - I.

Evaluation of Resource (cont. on back if necessary) II. Evaluation of Nomination Good Adequate Poor Comments 1. Descriptive Statement Short Format Yes _ No 2. Significance Statement Short Format _ Yes No 3. Concepts/Integrity 4. Concepts/Criteria 5. Concepts/Boundaries 6. Contextual Evaluation General Comments (cont. on back if necessary): Reviewer/Date National Park Service See Attached U.S. Department of the Interior NOV 5 1981 dnr-1a Name of Property. United States Department of the Interior ational Park Service, riner Muncipal Bulding Suffek County State, County Federal Agency The above nomination is being returned to you because of problems in the areas checked below and/or on the back of this form. Please return this form when the nomination is resubmitted.

Technical Review _Name Location _Classification Category _ Ownership - Owner of Property - Location of Legal Description _Representation in Existing Surveys -Description Condition _Status - Present Use - Original Site/Moved (w/date) - _Significance Period _ Areas of Significance - Specific Dates Major Bibliographical References _Geographical Data Quad Name Quad Scale - Verbai Boundary Description and/or Site Plan or Tax Map ~ UTM Form Prepared By VCertification /Level of Significance _SHPO Signature _Photographs Missing _Not Adequate in Quality _ Federal Signature -Maps _USGS Map _ Comments: _Site Plan/Sketch Map _ Historic Distriet Map _Substantive Review Problems (see reverse) Signed Aelorid Dyen 10/2/81 Substantive Review _Deseription _Incomplete/Inaccurate: - Alterations: _Dates: _ Boundary Selection/Justification: _ Other: _Significance - Too Weak or General: _ Poorly Related to Resource: -_ Confusing/Incomplete: _ Context: _Integrity: Period of Significanee Unclear: Exception(s) to Criteria not Justified: _ Other: Bibliography: Geographical Data - Acreage: VBD: Certification: - Photographs: -Inadequate Coverage: _ Poorly Labeled/N ot Keyed to Map _ Other: Maps USGS - Sketeh dnr-lb Missing Location of Resource(s) Boundary Lines Discrepancies Other Comments Reviewer tel: (202) 343-6401 Chief, Branch of Registration Date DUE 12p0/81 dnr-3 siame tielhe Cigner Municipal dingguest-Ageney Working Number ma,51340 Federal Register Date 2.2.87 Nomination Bldg(s) Within: _ Determination of Eligiblity Site Multiple Resource Area _ On Nomination Form Object - Thematie Group Strueture Maps 11 District Phoios 5 Nomination prepared by: /State Staff Local -- Other Entered in tha Action: Nationa Register Check it Appropriate: ACCEPT 11112/81 State Request for Review RETURN -Keeper's Decision to Review REJECT 2nd Return I.

Evaluation of Resource (cont. on back if necessary) 2rd crutrol II. Evaluation of Nomination Good Adequate | Poor Comments 1. Descriptive Statement Short Format No 2. Significance Statement Short Format _ Yes 73. Corcepts/Integrity _No 4. Concepts/Criteria 5. Concepts/Boundaries 6. Contextual Evaluation General Comments (cont. on back if necessary): Reviewer/Date National Park Service See Attached U.S. Department of the Interior FIELDS CORNER MUNICIPAL E 1 Arcadia Street Boston (Dorchester), MA. Negative filed at Neighb Agency, 182 Tremont St., view of Arcadia St. (sout looking from the southwe 1981 10F5 ARCADIA LADAMS ENTER FIELDS CORNER MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1 Arcadia Street Boston (Dorchester), MA Negative filed at Neighborhood Development Agency, 182 Tremont St., Boston view of Adams St.

(easterly) elevation looking from the southeast 1981 2085 NOV 12 1981 FIELDS CORNER MUNICIPAL BUILDING *1 Arcadia Street Boston (Dorchester), MA SEP 17 Negative filed at Neighborhood Development Agency, 182 Tremont St., Boston view of northerly elevation looking from the northeast. NUV 121981 1981 30F5 222222211111 FIELDS CORNER MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1 Arcadia Street Boston (Dorchester), MA SEP 17 1 Negative filed at Neighborhood Development Agency, 182 Tremont St., Boston detail of Arcadia St. (southerly) elevation looking from the southwest 1981 40F5 NOV 1 2 1981 FIELDS CORNER MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1 Arcadia Street Boston (Dorchester), MA SEP 17 1981 Negative filed at Neighborhood Development Agency, 182 Tremont St., Boston detail of perimeter fencing along Adams St. looking from the north. 1981 60F6 NOV 12 1981 BBEDSSEGDEL RECEIVED SEP - O 1981 MASS. HIST. COMM.

September 8, 1981 Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Attention Patricia L. Weslowski Re: Fields Corner Municipal Building To Whom It May Concern: For the record, the Public Facilities Department supports the City's nomination of the Fields Corner Municipal Building to the National Register of Historic Places. yours " Mf Donald B. Manson Director MK:1v RECAVED SEP 17 981 SEP 17 NATIONAL 1881 REGISTER TETTO 1000. Kevin H.

White, Mayor/ PUBLIC FACILITIES DEPARTMENT/ 147 Milk Street/ Boston, MA 02109 9 31 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State October 22, 1981 Carol Shull, Acting Keeper National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20243 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Fall River: Fall River Water Works (local) Northfield: King Philip's Hill (local) resubmission /Boston: Field's Corner Municipal Building (local) resub- mission All have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer.

Sincerely, Cancace fenkins Candace Jenkins Registration Director CJ/pb Enclosure FIILPII RECEIVED NOV 5 1981 NATIONAL REGISTER SITET 67 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS NOV |2 1981 Date Entered Name Location Fields Cornes Municipal Building Boston SufEolic County Also Notified Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Paul E- Tsongas Honozable John Josaph Moakley Mid-Atlantic Region, NPS State Historic Preservation Officer MES- Patricia La Weslowsici Execucive Director Massachusecte Historical Comnission 294 Washingtoa Streac Boscon, Massachusetts 02108 NR Eady/ts/11.17.81 For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343-6401 272-3504