Nomination for Dawson Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (7-81) OMB NO.1024-0018 EXP. 10/31/84 United States Department of the Interior National Park 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 For NPS use only received AUG 31 1982 date entered historic Ihe Dawson Building (preferred) and/or common 2. Location The Dawson Block/Eagles Home street & number 1851 Purchase Street N/ A not for publication city, town New Bedford N/A vicinity of uossianal distriet state Massachusetts 3.

Classification Category _ district X building(s) _ structure _ site _ object Ownership X public - private both Public Acquisition N/A in process _ being considered code 025 county Bristol code 005 Status _ occupied _ unoccupied work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted yes: unrestricted no Present Use X agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military museum park private residence _ religious scientific _ transportation _other: 4. Owner of Property name Linden Associates street & number P.O. Box 71 city, town Marion N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Bristol County (S.D.) Registry of Deeds street & number 25 North Sixth Street city, town New Bedford state Massachusetts 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys title Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth #480 (3/13/81) has this property been determined eligible? Xyes _no date 1978 federalX _ state _ _ county . _ local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state MA 7. Description Condition _ excellent Xgood _ deteriorated Check one X unaltered X original site -moved NA _ unexposed Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Dawson Block is an imposing three and one-half story brick building with prefabricated cast iron store fronts on the ground floor level. It stands in the heart of New Bedford's North End, an early streetcar suburb, on a triangular half-acre lot. A notable work of the prominent local architect, Samuel C. Hunt, the Dawson Block reflects the eclecticism of late 19th century vernacular architecture. The asymmetrical design borrows elements from a number of different architectural styles (most notably Classical X Revival) in a liberal, even exaggerated fashion that was a peculiar hallmark of Hunt's work. The Dawson Block rests on a foundation of vermiculated granite. Each of the two main blocks of the L-plan building has a truncated hip roof of slate punctuated by pedimented dormers. The two sections of the building are joined by a hexagonal tower with an ogival dome.

This massive feature anchors the composition to its corner site. The main entrance to the Dawson Block is located in the base of this tower in a canted wall. There are six subsidiary entrances, all recessed. Two of these are on Purchase Street and four are on Linden Street. Some of these entrances provided access to ground floor stores; others open onto stairways leading to the upper floors. The stair tower at the far end of the Linden Street facade has a steep pyramidal roof of slate. The main entrance is crowned by a semi-circular fanlight and is enframed by a wide molding embellished with a scroll console. The larger of the two Purchase Street entrances has a Minton-type tile floor with a crimson and white stylized floral design. Prefabricated cast iron storefronts dsymmetrically divide the ground floor into bays. The current restoration intends to preserve this configuration.

Cast iron pilasters with Scammozzi-like capitals enframe the display wihdows. The exterior wall material of the upper floors is red brick. At the second story level are numerous panels of red terra cotta edged with egg and gart molding. The panels have swags and garlands cast in low relief in their centers. The panel above the main entrance contains the letter 'D' in old English script. Windows of the Dawson Block are of uniform size and are asymmetrically grouped singly and in twos and threes. The vermiculated granite sills project slightly and form almost continuous belt courses around the building at the second and third story levels. Windows in some of the bays have splayed brick lintels, while molded brick architraves enframe the others. Above the third story fenestration is a boldly projecting, fully articulated copper cornice resting on copper scroll brackets.

Missing sections of the cornice are being replaced as part of the current restoration. The south elevation (Linden Street Facade) is dominated by a flat-roofed pavilion, four stories high and four bays wide. The topmost story of the pavilion is a raised shed dormer sided in slate. It contains a series of four round arched windows with molded brick surrounds. A balustrade, now missing, originally stood above these windows. The north and west elevations, (rear and side) contain numerous asymmetrically placed rectangular windows of uniform size, set within elliptical brick arches. Some retain exterior wooden blinds.

On the east elevation a faded advertisement painted on the brick (cont.) NPS Form 10-900-a (7-81) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet The Dawson Building Item number 7 0310 For NPS use onty received date entered Page 1 wall can still be read. It simply states, "Eagle Home, Aerie #647, New Bedford." Little information survives regarding the original interior appearance of the Dawson Block, except that a complete remodelling occurred in 1923 when the building was acquired by the Eagles. Hoor contmes to be wsed is comerdiat sacer wit rents fron tne Accounts of the 1923 renovations described it as " . .. a revenue for the Eagles. The second floor contained offices and a club room, as well - -.

a large parlor, exquisitely furnished, a billiard room, a card room, the secretary's private office, and a reading or committee room." All the rooms were interconnected on the north side of the corridor with its double doors. Newspaper accounts of 1923 further reported that " . everything was neatly painted, papered and varnished, with a new lighting system put in." The third floor was converted into a large meeting hall and ballroom. A large stage was removed to make way for what was one of New Bedford's largest dance floors. The ballroom was illuminated by newly installed electric fixtures. Separate men's and ladies' "retiring areas" or lounges included dressing rooms. The fourth floor contained a banquet hall, which seated 450 people, and the kitchen. A gymnasium shown in the architect's plans for this remodelling was never built.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Period - prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 X 1900- Areas of Significance - Check and justify below - archeology-prehistoric community planning archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics _architecture education art engineering X commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention _ landscape architecture - religion law literature military music philosophy politics/government science sculpture _ social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1896 Construction Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Samuel C. Hunt, architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Dawson Block possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workman- ship. It 1s signiticant as a center of late nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial activity and community life. The Dawson Block is also a notable work of the prominent local architect Samuel C. Hunt, and has long been an important and highly visible North End Landmark. Yew sur vrtg examies of cast trdd archi tecture fn New BedferdyeS he propecey shuse of meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places. Construction on the Dawson Block began in May, 1896. The building was erected on a 12,251 square foot lot at the corner of Linden and Purchase Streets.

It was described in various local accounts as the "first substantial brick building in the North End." City Building Department records estimated its cost at $53,000. The architect of the Dawson Block, Samuel C. Hunt, began his career as a carpenter's apprentice, becoming active in various aspects of the building trades. Hunt studied drawing at evening school and took his formal architectural training in Boston. the 1870s he was the construction foreman for two major local projects: During the Trinitarian Church and the Eddy Building. In 1880 Hunt opened a contracting business, and for the next ten years he worked on such buildings as the Harrington and Court Street Schools in New Beatora, and the #3 Bullding of the Cohannet Mill complex in Taunton.

By 1891, Hunt began billing nimself as an architect and during this period of his career he received commissions for city schools and engine houses. Hunt's. death in 1898 prevented him from seeing his plans materialize for his most important commissions: the New Bedford Registry of Deeds and the enlargement of City Hall. The construction of the Dawson Block heralded the development of Weld Square as an early New Bedford streetcar suburb. Weld Square was an entry neighborhood for newly arrived French and Irish immigrants who found employment at the nearby Wamsutta Mills. The mill workers occupied modest cottages and triple deckers which had been hastily built by shrewd real estate speculators who sensed the growth potential of the area.

The needs of the neighborhood's growing population were also served by the opening of new businesses and by the extension of trolley service to Wels Square. It was during this optimistic period of growth that the Dawson Block was built. From the turn of the century until approximately 1950, Weld Square remained a thriving commercial and residential enclave. Today it retains much of the character of a nineteenth century working class neighborhood. Most of Weld Square was originally part of Woodlawn, the estate of Benjamin Rodman. Rodman was a member of the prominent New Bedford whaling family; his mansion still stands in New Bedford's Waterfront Historic District (NHL). After Rodman's death in 1896, his estate was subdivided for development, one section being purchased by Benjamin Dawson. (cont.) 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References (See attached sheet for bibliography) 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 0.438 acres (19,099 square feet) Quadrangle name - New Bedford South UMT References A19| 13|3,9|2,8,0 Zone Easting CL1 LUILLL 14,6/121510 Northing LlILu B Zone Easting EL F GLL Quadrangle scale 1:25,000 Northing Lhlu Verbal boundary description and justification (See attached sketch map) List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state N/A code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By name/title Wendy Frontiero, Preservation Planner, with Harriet White (consultant) organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date May 17, 1982 street & number 294 Washington Street telephone (617) 727-8470 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 the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

State Historic Preservation Officer signature Valerie Ann Talmage title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Xelous Entered in tha Keeper of the National Register National Registen date Aug,24,1982 date 9/30/82 Attest: Chief of Registration date NPS Form 10-900-a (7-81) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places - Inventory - Nomination Form or NPS received date entered Continuation sheet The Dawson Building Item number 8 Page 1 Benjamin Dawson (1837-1920) was active in local politics, and served terms as an alderman and member of the Common Council. He was a loyal supporter of Charles Ashley, a mayor of New Bedford and one of the city's most colorful political figures.

Dawson is also notable as the owner and operator of New Bedford's first major brewery. After 27 years working in textile mills, in 1885 Dawson opened a liquor store at the corner of Purchase and Hazard Streets, not far from the eventual location of the Dawson Block. Soon Dawson's thriving liquor business became the largest in the North End. Later in 1889, Dawson opened his own brewery which was taken over years later by the Jacob Ruppert Company, a division of Rheingold Breweries. In 1896 Dawson built the Dawson Block, no doubt as a speculative venture. Its success was virtually guaranteed by the burgeoning population of the Weld Square area. The Dawson Block contained stores on the ground floor, and offices and a social hall and meeting rooms on the upper floors.

After Dawson's death in 1920, the Dawson Block passed to his heirs, who sold it in 1923 to the Fraternal Order of Eagles (New Bedford Aerie #647). The Eagles, a social and charitable organization, was established in the 1920s at a time when lodges, benevolent societies and civic-orlented clubs proliterated. The New Bedford chapter of the Eagles is still in existence today, although its membership has dwindled. During the early years of its existence, the Eagles provided valuable financial assistance and social services for its members. The Eagles also played an important role in lobbying for the legislation which resulted in the Mothers' Pension Act and the Old Age Pension Act. Among the services and benefits afforded to Eagles and their families was the purchase of life insurance policies for members serving in the Armed Forces.

Social activities played a large part in the Eagle's programming. In 1919 one member reminisced: "The Order was a roustering, enthusiastic organ that loved its clambakes, its entertainments, and the good fellowship involved." It was only later that the role of the organization became more service-oriented. In more recent years the Eagles have sponsored the annual New Bedford Road Race, after which celebrations were traditionally held in the Eagles' Home. In summary, the Dawson Block/Eagles' Home is a well known landmark of New Bedford's North End, deriving importance as the work of a prominent local architect, Samuel C. Hunt, and commissioned by another distinguished citizen of the city, Benjamin Dawson. very few surviving examples of cast iron architecture in New Bedford.

Located in an early streetcar suburb and a haven for immigrant mill workers, the Dawson Block/Eagles' Home has long been a center of community life, first as a commercial building and later as the headquarters of a social and community service organization. Today the property is being renovated for use as elderly housing. NPS Form 10-900-a (7-81) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Dawson Building Item number 9 0028 - For NPS use onty received date entered Page 1 New Bedford Registry of Deeds: 89/129, 148/25. City of New Bedford Building Department: Book 60, Permit 282, 604-39 Alter interior tor showers, 1514-44. Make repairs after hurricane, Architects plans on file with Building Department.

New Bedford Standard Times Library: The Evening Standard - December 18, 1920, The Sunday Standard Times - March 4, 1923, April 9, 1939, The Standard Times - February 20, 1950, February 21, 1979. The New Bedford Free Public Library Genealogy Room: Newspapers on microfilm: The Evening Standard - Tuesday, Apr1l 21, 1896, P.3; Apr1l 28, 1896, p.4; Friday, September 4, 1908. Book - New Bedford Semi-Centennial & Industrial Exhibition, October 1897, Edited by Robert Grieve, Published by Journal of Commerce Company, Providence, Rhode Island, p.86. City of New Bedford Assessor's Office. PLEASANT STREET SITTING/T PLAY ARFA 2- FAMILY DWELLINGS LINDEN STREET 2 : BR. 2 BR. TYPE FAMILY UNITS 2 BR. 1 BR. 1 BR. OFFICE ELEVATOR LAUNDRY PARKING 16 SPACES -( 2 HP.) 1 - BR.

COMMUNITY ROOM -ENTRY TO ELDERLY APARTMENTS PURCHASE STREET 0 10 25 50 SITE AND GROUND FLOOR PLAN THE DAWSON BLOCK BUILDING NEW BEDFORD, MASS. 1980 SCALE: 1" = 32' THE EAGLES HOME NEW BEDFORD MASSACHUSETTS LINDEN ASSOCIATES DEVELOPER ROBERT S. WILLIAMSON ARCHITECT 1980 ATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES ited States Department of the Interior tional Park Service Dawson Building Bristol County MASSACHUSETTS EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: - sample _ request Reviewer's comments: Working No. 8/31182-2377 Fed. Reg. Date: 11.83 Date Due:- 9/30/52 - 10//5/82 Action: ACCEPT_ 9/30/82 Entered in the __ RETURN. National Register . REJECT. Federal Agency: - appeal - NR decision -Nomination returned for: Recom.

/ Criteria Reviewer - Discipline Date - see continuation sheet - technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property Status Accessible Present Use 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys has this property been determined eligible? - yes - no 7. Description Condition excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered altered Check one - original site moved date Describe the present and original (If known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 8. Significance Ported Aroas or si Spocific dates Dlatamant el Steniticanco (In ano paragrapt) Chack and heatify bator Belldor Arehitec!

summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of excepticn other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quedrangle neme - UMT References Verbal boundery description and justitication 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evalusted significance of this property within the state is - netiona! state loca! Btate Mistoric Preservation Officer signature dete title 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to. Signed - Date - Phone: 202 272-3504 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet DAWSON BUILDING NEW BEDFORD, MASS. Photograph by Tim Silvia Coastway Photography Purchase Street New Bedford Aug.

1982 Negatives filed with photographer View northwest, corner of Linden and Purchase Streets Photo 1 of 5 DAWSON BUILDING NEW BEDFORD, MASS. Photographed by Tim Silvia Coastway Photography Purchase Street New Bedford Aug. 1982 Negatives filed with photographer View of south facade, Linden Street Photo 2 of 5 NOW RENTING MON. WED. FRL. I0..-/len DAWSON BUILDING NEW BEDFORD, MASS. Photographed by Tim Silvia Coastway Photography Purchase Street New Bedford Aug. 1982 Negatives filed with photographer View of east facade, Purchase Street Photo 3 of 5 DAWSON BUILDING NEW BEDFORD, MASS. Photographed by Tim Silvia Coastway- Photography Purchase Street New Bedford Aug. 1982 Negatives filed with photographer View of north facade (rear of building) Photo 4 of 5 DAWSON BUILDING NEW BEDFORD, MASS. Bristal Canty Photographed by Tim Silvia Coastway Photography Purchase Street New Bedford Aug.

1982 Negatives filed with photographer View of west facade, Pleasant Street Photo 5 of 5 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 August 24, 1982 Mr. Jerry Rogers Keeper, National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20243 Dear Mr. Rogers: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Adams - Phillips Woolen Mill (local) Adams - Renfrew Mill #2 (local) Belchertown - Walker Collis House (local) Hudson - Col.

Adelbert Mossman House (local) Lenox - Lenox Academy (state) Lenox - The "Church on the Hill" (local) vNew Bedford - Dawson Building (local) New Marlborough - New Marlborough Village Historic District (local) North Andover - Machine Shop Village (state) -Shipton Buia Pittsfield - Wollison- Shipton Building (1ocal) Rockport - Sewall-Scripture House (local) All have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Owners were notified of pending State Review Board considerations 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination forms. Sincerely, Candace Jenkins Candace Jenkin Registration Director Massachusetts Historical Commission TOLO Enclosures CJ/mas RECEIVED AUG 31 1982 FTO NATIONAL REGISTER U7 07/5 JOHN A.

MARKEY MAYOH July 8, 1982 CITY OF NEW BEDFORD. MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE MAYOR P. O. BOX A-2089 999-2931 RECEIVED JU...UR MASS. HIST. COMM. Ms. Patricia I. Weslowski State Historic Preservation Officer Executive Director The Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Dear Ms. Weslowski, It is with great pleasure that I wholeheartedly endorse the nomination of the Dawson Building, 1581 Purchase Street, to the National Register of Historic Places. The Dawson Building, when completed in 1896, was called "the first substan- tial brick building in the North End." Samuel C. Hunt, its architect, was New Bedford's dominant architect of the period and later re-designed City Hall and designed the Registry of Deeds in the Downtown Historic District.

The building itself was a landmark in the growth of New Bedford's first street car neighborhood and second large shopping district. The Dawson Building's recent restoration marks the second major step in the revitalization of Weld Square. The nearby Carbarn has already been placed on the National Register and the Dawson Building is of at least equal importance. As the duly authorized representative of the governing body of the City of New Bedford, I am happy to support the nomination of the Dawson Building to the National Register of Historic Places. Very truly yours, MARKEY JOHN MAYOR City of New Bedford - Office of Neighborhood and Historic Preservation City Hall Annex - 1204 Purchase Street New Be 1617999233 ZCEIVED (617) 999-2931* Ext. 270 JUL 1* 1982 July 9, 1982 MASS. HIST. COMM: Ms. Patricia L.

Weslowski State Historic Preservation Officer Executive Director The Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Dear Ms. Weslowski, We are pleased to endorse the nomination of the Dawson Building, 1581 Purchase Street, to the National Register of Historic Places. My office has been involved with the restoration of this building for over a year and feel that the building should join the nearby Carbarn on the National Register. The Dawson Building has been an integral part of the development of the Weld Square area since it was constructed for Benjamin Dawson in 1896. Its small ground floor stores supplied the City's first street car neighborhood and later, as the Eagles Home, the building played an important part in the fraternal life of New Bedford. Samuel C.

Hunt, architect for the building, was one of a small number of professionals responsible for New Bedford's "new downtown" which replaced the Waterfront Historic District in the last years of the nineteenth century and early years of the twentieth. Restoration of the Dawson Building has meant another step in the City's ongoing effort to rehabilitate the Weld Square neighborhood. Very truly yours, Fatene. Antone G. Souza, Jr. Director AGS/b1 otonci- EDWARD W. BRICE, JR. ONE BOSTON PLACE BOSTON, MA 02108 TELEPHONE: (617) 227-7960 July 12, 1982 RECEIED JUI. 131982 MASS. HIST. COMM Patricia L. Weslowski Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108 Re: The Dawson Block New Bedford, Massachusetts Dear Ms.

Weslowski: I am a General Partner of Linden Associates, a Massachusetts limited partnership that owns the Dawson Block at 1851 Purchase Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. I believe that you are going to act on the nomination of this project to the National Register of Historic Places in the next few days. I hope that you will act favorably. We have spent substantial time and incurred substantial costs in rehabilitating this property in accordance with standards of your Commission and the Department of the Interior. We feel that this rehabilitation enhances the urban streetscape of the City of New Bedford and will be an attractive architectural amenity for the City and the Commission of Massachusetts for many years to come. I urge you to approve this nomination. With warm regards, Sincerely, Elward Buce Edward W. Brice, Jr. /pgc CC: Courtland A. McDonald COURTLAND A.

MCDONALD ONE BOSTON PLACE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108 TELEPHONE (617) 227-7960 July 13, 1982 RECEIVED JUL 1 3 1982 MASS. HIST. G.. 4 Ms. Patricia L. Weslowski Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108 Re: The Dawson Block New Bedford, Massachusetts Dear Ms. Weslowski: I am pleased that the State Review Board will consider the above referenced property for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. As a General Partner of Linden Associates, a Massachusetts limited partnership that is owner of record of this property, I wholeheartedly support this nomination. You and your staff have put many hours into reviewing our rehabilitation plans and have enabled us to complete our program successfully.

This building along with the Car Barn property a block away which was recently listed in the National Register, has provided a base for further rehabilitation of the Weld Square area. I urge you to approve this nomination. With all best wishes, Sincerely, Contl. A, N2l Courtland A. McDonald /pgc CC: Edward w. Brice, Jr.