BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
FORM A - AREA SURVEY MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston - Form numbers in this area HP-29 to HP-36 Area no. B 2. Photo (3x3" or 3x5") Staple to left side of form Photo number 1. Town Salem Name of area (if any) Crombie Street district 7--15 and 16--18 Crombie St., and 13 Barton S+ 3. General date or period early 19th century 4. Is area uniform (explain): in style? compatible mix in condition? generally good in type of ownership? private ily residential Indicate any historic hru F, using corres- any) and indicate north. 489 HP-39 466 DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE USGS Quadrant MHC Photo no. (over) 6. Recorded by A. Crump Organization_Salem Redevelopment Authority Date November 1979 UTM Reference: 19/344110/4709120 Acreage: .17 acres 5M_7-7E_DAC1ACE 7. Historical data. Explain the historical/architectural importance of this area.
The Crombie Street District is composed of the eight remaining buildings of this downtown residential enclave. The district includes a cross-section of residential buildings from various periods of development, along with a church building originally built as a theater. The boundaries include the six buildings that face Crombie Street and the two buildings at the west end of Barton Square, adjacent to Crombie Street on the west. Crombie Street was laid out in 1805 by Benjamin Crombie, proprietor of a tavern called the Sign of the Ship, that stood on Essex Street east of his new street. Between 1805 and 1815, Crombie sold four house lots behind his tavern, as well as narrow strips of frontage on the street to three other landholders to the west.
Only two of the houses standing today were built before Crombie sold the remaining property in 1819, but the district is shown intact on the 1851 map of the city. As the only surviving downtown residential group from the early 19th century, the houses on Crombie Street provide important information about the character of the city at that time. All the buildings directly abut the sidewalk, suggesting high density, but placement on the lots is irregular, creating a rural atmosphere. Wood is the dominant material, although the church(HP-34) and the Bowker House(HP-33) are brick, as is the Prince House (HP-36), which predates Crombie's activity. While architectural quality within the district is variable, three buildings clustered at its north end are all individually noteworthy. The Crombie Street Church (HP-34), built as a theater in 1828, is the architectural highlight of the district.
The monumental relieving arches of the facade define its composition and suggest the Federal style, but the panelled detailing of the broad piers separating these arches, along with the pair of quadrant windows in the gable and wide corner pilasters, - introduce a newer Greek Revival influence. Neighboring the church stands the substantial Bowker House (HP-33), built in the Federal style around 1810, and modernized by overlaid brownstone trimmings in 1860. The hybrid design is very successful, reinforcing the central importance of this house to the district. The Pierson House (HP-35), facing Barton Square, is an unusually graceful vernacular Italianate residence, typical of the houses that lined Barton Square in the mid-19th century. HP-29: 18 Crombie Street (c.
1770; moved to site 1830) The origins of this two-story, gambrel-roofed Georgian house are unknown, but it was moved onto this site in 1830 by James Bott. The end wall faces the 8. Bibliography and/ or xeferences such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records. early maps, etc. City of Salem tax records Essex County Registry of Deeds McIntyre, H.: Map of the City of Salem, 1851. Pickman, Benjamin: "Account of Houses and Other Buildings in Salem in 1793", Essex Institute Historical Collections, vol. VI, p. 93. Salem Historic District Study Committee: Report, 1968.
Iu-suvo (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 DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET Crombie Street ITEM NUMBER B PAGE 16 street, and contains three six-over-six windows, vertically aligned and centered on the wood-shingled wall. A narrow, simple framed doorway which crowds the right corner was probably added when the house was moved. A massive central chimney is readily visible from the street. A small ell with a shallow pitched roof extends to the left, set back fifteen feet from the front wall. HP-30: 16 Crombie Street (1831) This two-story, wood-frame vernacular Federal house is oriented to the left side of its lot, with its gable end on the street. The street elevation is very simple, with two windows on each floor level and a single gable window.
The moderately projecting cornice returns above plain corner boards. The side elevation is symmetrically composed, with the classically framed entrance in the center of its five bays. Iwo gabled dormers face this side. Its modest architectural character is appropriate to the social and economic standing of the original owner, a painter and glazier named Samuel Ferguson. HP-31: 15 Crombie Street (c. 1810) This pleasant wood-frame Federal house was built by Joshua Loring, a chaise- maker. Iwo-and-one-half stories high, with a shallow hip roof, it faces end on the street, with its five-bay symmetrical facade on the south side of the lot. I'he delicate, classically detailed doorway at the center of the facade 'is the building's major decorative element; the overall composition - demonstrates the restraint typical of the style.
A rear ell, originally set back from the major wall plane of the facade, is now concealed by an open staircase and porch structure added when the building was converted to multifamily use. HP-32: 13 Crombie Street (c. 1830) The modest classical detailing around the doorways is the strongest stylistic element on this two-story, wood-frame house. The gable end faces the street, with two entrances located on the north side. The end wall is framed by a sheer cornice and simple corner boards, with two windows on each floor and a single window in the gable. The side elevation creates the illusion of bilateral symmetry, although the elements are not as precisely aligned. The two doorways, one flush and the other contained in a small gabled projection, are balanced by pairs of vertically aligned windows. The building crowds its southern lot line, creating a generous side yard toward the north.
HP-33: 9 Crombie Street (c. 1810, c. 1860) This two-and-one-half-story, red brick house was built before 1811 in the Federal style, and updated about 1860 with Italianate details. mass of the building, its shallow hipped roof and shortened attic windows are readily recognizable as characteristic of Federal architecture. The building sits with its end wall facing the street, and the entrance at the center of (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 DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET Crombie Street ITEM NUMBER B PAGE 17 the five-bay side elevation. Brownstone lintels, a bracketed cornice, and a heavy entry hood are the Italianate elements added in mid-century.
Built by Benjamin Crombie, the developer of the street, the building was soon tenanted and later purchased by Joel Bowker, one of Salem's leading merchants and entrepreneurs. Among his many accomplishments is the credit for intro- ducing anthracite coal to Salem. HP-34: Crombie Street Church (1828) This handsome red brick building was built as a theater in 1828 by J.W. Barton, proprietor of the adjacent tavern. When the theater failed after a promising beginning, it was converted to a church in 1832. Its monumental facade is divided into three bays by relieving arches with broad piers articulated as panelled pilasters. The gable contains two demi-lunettes flanking a date stone. The arches contain arched windows at the second floor level, and a doorway in each end bay framed by a heavy wood entablature and pilasters.
The transition from the Federal style to the Greek Revival is evident in the combination of strength and refinement exhibited in the design. The breadth of the monumental arcade and the doorways tempers the fundamental elegance of the facade. HP-35: 13 Barton Square (1846) This elegant Italianate house is representative of the original residential - - character of Barton Square, which has now been eroded except along its western edge. Built in 1846 by Dr. E.B. Peirson, the house exhibits the full expression of this vernacular style. A full bracketed cornice separates the gable from the two main stories. Iwin arched gable windows, beneath a small continuous label molding, face Barton Square, while three bays of windows punctuate the flush board siding. An open porch supported by pierced posts extends along the south side at the first floor level.
A two-story, cross- gabled ell on the north side is set well back from the front wall, and contains the entrance, sheltered by a second porch. ifev. 10.74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET Crombie Street ITEM NUMBER B PAGE 18 Property Address (SAMI) 7 Crombie Street (26-448) Crombie Street National Register District Ownership Data & Importance Rating Importance Rating* 1 9 Crombie Street (26-448) 1 13 Crombie Street (26-139) 1 15 Crombie Street (26-449) 1 16 Crombie Street (26-453) 1 18 Crombie Street (26-452) 1 13 Barton Square (35-6) 1 Ownership Crombie Street Congregational Church 7 Crombie Street Salem, Mass. 01970 Crombie St. Congregational Church see above Crombie St.
Congregational Church see above Crombie Street Realty Trust Norma A. Smigowski et ali, Trs. 15 Crombie Street Salem, Mass. 01970 Joanna M. & Mary W. Cass 16 Crombie Street Salem, Mass. 01970 Frances H. Wendt 18 Crombie Street Salem, Mass. 01970 Doering Trust 2 Oliver Street Salem, Mass. ,01970 *Key: 1. Central importance to district 2. Contributing to character of district 3. Intrusion on character of district m 114 SUMMER 12-14 301- 307 65 458 -459 11 -13 299 29 284 ESSEX 289-297 65-S L9T 1460 456 PARKING 455 230-S CROMBIE 10-27 275-281 62 S 447 125 160-S H.P.: 34 H.P.33 -X H.P.32 450 266-266 ZOTRZEE 203-288 64 55 BARTON H.P. 35 SQUARE 461 454 STREET H.P.30 462 55-S 23 463 29 :3 29, - 464 95-S 155-S 38 45,767 NORMAN 117 28-32 S.T.
100-S 20-24 SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS: CROMBIE STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT HP 29 18 Crombie Street HP 30 16 Crombie Street HP 31 15 Crombie Street HP 32 13 Crombie Street HP 33 9 Crombie Street HP 34 7 Crombie Street HP 35 13 Barton Square 1"=100' NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Untonas Part eropertmond ol tho taborton Crombie Street District (Downtown Sale m MRA) Essex County MASSACHUSETTS EYALUATION / RETURN- SHE resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviower's comments: Working No. Fed. Reg. Date: Dato Due: Action: 1003 83 - 7/29/53 - ACCEPT L RETURN 2/29/8 - REJECT Federal Agency: ,zample - request appeal - NR decision Recom. /Criteria - Reviewer Discipline Date se continuation sheet -Nomination returned for: technical corrections cited below -substantive reasons discussad below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification - Ve 4.
Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Ie Wis property bemn trermnes -º - 7. Description Mtertors artgined (0l summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Shech eno oved 8. Significance arte roas of si pesife detee ant of Sigmifhcem aider Arenite summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas Checked relating significance to the resource context relation ship of integrity to significance justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data oreage of nominated proparty - Juedrengle neme - UNIT Roterencss Pleae proveee aenage Verbal Seundery escrietien end justification 11. Form Prepared By 12.
State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The eveluried significance of thhie property within the state is: nationsi _ state Be Historic Preservation Officer signeture dere 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed MenByen Date_ 7/24/83 Phone: 202 272-3504 343-9553 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form For NPS use only recelved date entered Continuation sheet 125 Item number Page / af2 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group dnr-11 Name State Downtown Salem Multiple Resource Area Massachusetts Nomination/Type of Review i1. Bowker Place Intared in the National Register 2.
IFederal Street District Entered in the National Register Date/Signature J'keeper Oulourbyen 1/20/83 Attest Keeper Aelanaßyen 9/16/8 "3. First Universalist Church Entared 1n Mational Regieter Attest tkeeper AelvuaByua 7/29ks Attest 4. Monroe, Bessie, House Entered in tne National Register fok eeper Alußyen 1/2/: Attest - 5.i Downtom Salen Dtatrsct subetantsva Horzor filkeeper asceft Patick Andus edlules. Attest 6. Peabody, John.P., House Jatared in lu IwiSoüal Regieter Keeper selußyeu 7/29/2 7. Salem Laundry Entered in the Mational Register Attest theeper AiluuaBye 1/29/83 8. Shepard Block Entered in tho Mationsl Regieter Attest Hkeeper AulousAyad 2/29/83 9.
Wesley Methodist Church Intered in the Mational Register 10.'Crombie Street District Entered in the National Fegteter Attest fikeeper Attest Keeper Attest XelonaByus 7/29/83 XelouBzu 9/16/83 WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) "UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Crombie Street District (Downtown Salem MRA Essex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: sample Lrequest Working No. 6/14/83 Fed. Reg. Date: 2/78< Date Due: - 16/22/53 Action: Entered in the LACCEPT- 9/16/83 _RETURN National Register REJECT- Federal Agency: - appeal - NR decision Recom./Criteria. Reviewer Discipline Date _ see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: _technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1.
Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 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 Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use Check one -original site -moved date 8. Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Builder/Architect summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other 9.
Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name. UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: _national state local State Historic Preservation Officer signature date title 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed - Date - Phone: - Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Downtown Salem Multiple Resource Area Crombie Street Historic District Allison M. Crump, 1979 Salem Redevelopment Authority Looking northeast at 13 Crombie (foreground), 9 Crombie and the Crombie Street Church. Photo #3 of 6 L682.
CROMBIE STREET CHURCH 68VEIC Crom bie street District Dountomn Salem MRA, Ma 11-23A Downtown Salem MRA, Ma crumbie St. District 18 Crombie St. Keypeg /g 6L6I AON 4 HP-29 1-26 16 Grambie S% crambie St. Orstrict Dauntows Sedem MRA, Mr YOV 1979 Prestige Prints OY B HP-30 1-27 NOV 1979 tige Prints Downtown Solen MRA, Ma Crambie St. Distritt 15 Urambie ste 1979 HP-31 1-25 NOV 1979 1-29 HP-32 NOV 1 979 restige by Berl e NOV 1979 13 Grumbio St. Crombio ST. Destrict Domntau Saben MRA, Ma Downtows Salem ARA, Ma Crombiè sT. Destrict 9 Grambie st, A by Berkey NOV 1979 HP-33 1-28 1832. Dounteun salem MRA, Ma Crambie St. Destrict Crambie St church NOV 1 979 by Berkey HP-34 1-30 Dowrtaun Salem MRA Ma Grambie st. Distriit 13 Barten Square DEC 1979 Prestige by Berkey HP-35 9-18 DUenfi, à Frame SSTOP) GIARDI LODGE 10OF DAVID FRYE REALTORS ESSEX FLOWER SHOP Paunteu salem MRA Ma Crambie st.
Dastrict NOV 1979 HP-36 8-8 by Berkey Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000277