Nomination for Warren Block

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

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 FEB date entered 8 1983 historic Warren Block and/or common Eagle Building 2. Location street & number 155 Main Street N/Anot for publication city, town Marlborough N/Avicinity of congreccienat dietriet state Massachusetts 3.

Classification code 025 county Middlesex code 017 Category district Lbuilding(s) structure site object Ownership public X private both Public Acquisition N/Ain process being considered Status _ occupied - unoccupied X work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted no Present Use agriculture X commercial educational entertainment government industrial military museum - park - private residence _ religious _ scientific - transportation X other: apts. 4. Owner of Property name Franco and Lina D'Annunzio street & number 11 Meadow Drive city, town Sudbury N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Middlesex County Registry of Deeds street & number 208 Cambridge Street city, town Cambridge 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of Historic title Assets of the Commonwealth #120 state Massachusetts has this property been determined eligible? - yes X no date 1979 _federal X state _ county local Massachusetts Historical Commission depository for survey records 294 Washington Street city, town Boston state MA 7. Description Warren Block, 155 Main Street, Marlborough Condition -X excellent - good fair _ deteriorated - ruins unexposed Check one unaltered X altered Check one X - original site moved date N/A Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Warren Block is a four-story brick commercial structure located on Main Street in downtown Marlborcugh. It is sited flush to the sidewalk and bounded on the west by a small landscaped park, on the east by the 1879-80 Temple Building (National Register eligible) with which it shares a party wall, and on the rear by a steep rocky ledge. When the building was erected in 1891, it was an important addition to an impressive street lined with late 19th century two-to-four story masonry commercial structures. However, due to demolition, loss from fire or extensive remodeling, the Warren Block and the adjacent Temple Building stand today as the most intact portion of the Vic- torian streetscape. Ihe warren Block 15 an impressive structure whose facade is distinguished by a veneer of Roman buff brick laid in ornaniental patterns.

iThe brick is offset by readish-brown mortar which is similar in color to the sandstone trim. .The ground gloor is divided into three. bays separated by fluted iron posts. Storefronts occupy the outer bays, and a recessed entrance to the upper floors the narrow center bay. The storefronts have been aluminum, and the recessed entrances of each shop are no longer centrally positioned. hardware and paneled and fluted trim. The upper three stories have undergone no alterations. The tripartite bay division is a reverse of the ground story: narrow outer bays and a wide center section. Three=. story vertical brick piers with, three-quarter rounded edges define the bays. A hor- izontal band of curved brick laid in a basketweave pattern separates the three stories. The upper band contains an inscribed nameplate; and the lower band a dateplate.

Fenestration of the outer bays is paired one-over-one sash set between brick voussoirs and shared sandstone sills. The center bay contains pairs of one-over-one sash and a wider, single window above the center entrance. Fourth story window openings in this bay are round-arched. A single sandstone sill extends across the width of the bay at each story. The building is surmounted by a corbeled cornice and a paneled metal parapet. The other exposed elevation (west) is faced in rough-finished red brick, portions of which have been sandblasted. Until recently, a 2½ story mansard-roof building adjoinec the Iront section of the elevation. The rear section has groups of seomental-arched windows resting on gratis sills. The interior of the Warren Block is handsomely finished with reeded fir door and window casings.

Marble stairs lead from the tiled foyer to the second floor where an open stairwell with oak and fir trim and lit by a leaded skylight occupies a large portion of the upper three floors. An intact, paneled elevator cab still functions. The building is currently being rehabilitated and adapted to apartments following the Secretary of Interior's standards for rehabiliation.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Warren Block, 155 Main Street, Marlborough Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 -1800-1899 1900 Areas of Significance-Check and justify below _ archeology-prehistoric - community planning _ archeology-historic conservation agriculture _ economics _ architecture education art engineering . commerce exploration/settlement . communications industry invention landscape architecture law literature - military - music philosophy politics/government _ religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1891 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Joseph E. Warren (probable) Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Warren Block possesses integrity of location, design, workmanship, feeling and association. The building is significant as a rare survivor of Marlborough's period of commercial prosperity during the late 19th century and as a fine example of the period's eclectic architecture. Erected by a prominent lacal citizen, the building meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places. In the early 20th century, the Warren Blockwas one of many two to four story masonry commercial blocks which lined Mariborough S Main Street. Ine city's growth,' like many of New England's industrial centers, 15 directly attributed to the arrival of the rallroad which came to Marlborough in the 1830 s.

Raliroad access to Boston brought idating and mechanizing the process into an industry of considerable an inmediate boost to the cottage production of shoes, begun in 1835, importay consol- 1860, the city's boot and shoe industry peaked sales of $10 million. The manufacture of related products, particulary boxes, further added to the community's capital growth. In 1927 Marlborough ranked fourth in New England in shoe production and was recognized as the largest producer of footwear per capita in the nation. Marlborough' s commercial district was erected by both shoe industrialists. and other businessien to serve the private market.. The Warren Block was erected by Wins1ow Morse Warren, a prominent businessman who was born in Marlborough in 1828.

For over forty years warren was engaged in the express business of Dart, G Company which operated between Boston and Marlborough (and of which he ultimately became proprietor). During this period he managed an insurance business in Marlborough as well. Warren's active role in local affairs extended to trusteeship of the Marlborough Savings Bank, direct- orship of the People's National Bank and treasurer of the town. When he erected the Warren Block in 1891, the fourth floor was designed as a club room. Its first occupant was the Union Club of which Warren was a trustee. The lower two floors house offices and, on the ground level, two stores. Though not documented, the probable builder of the block was Joseph E. Warren & Company, the leading building contactors in the vicinity.

Among Warren's known buildings are the Grand Army Building and the People's National Bank, located a few yards west on Main Street. No relationship between the two Warrens has been established. Note: Little research material relating to the City of Marlborough and specific buildings is available due to major fires in both the city hall and library. Accord- ingly, this nomination draws heavily upon general histories and architectural sign- ificance.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Bigelow, Ella, Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough, 1910 Biographical Review Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Middlesex County, MA. , Boston: Biographical Review Publishing Co., 1898, voI. XXVII City Maps, atlases and directories (Continued) 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property less than one Quadrangle name Marlborough UMT References A19/2900401 Zone Easting 4691250 Northing CLL E Quadrangle scale 1:25,000 Zone LLLLLL Northing uuL F GLULL Verbal bourdary description and justification The nominated property includes the entire lot occupied by 155 Miain Street. From the southwest corner, the lot extends north 82', east 60½', south 82' and west 63' to the starting point. 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/tifle Candace Jenkins, Registration Director and Elizabeth Durfee Hengen, Preservation Consultant for Marlborough Community Development organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date street & number 294 Washington Street October, 1982 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 Vatuns LWeslowsk 2/3/83 title date Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Kooper of the National Hessier Attest: Chief of Registration Intered in the date Natlenal Regteter 3/10/83 date NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Warren Block, 155 Main St. Continuation sheet Marlborough, Massachusetts Item number No.1 -0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPSPuse only received date entered Page 1 9. Bibliographical References (Continued) Hurd, Daniel Levds eacol, Phi Hdetorya, Mi0, esex County, Massachusetts, J.W. City Assessor's records.

ATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES ted States Dopartmo el el she latarias tonal Park Service EYALUATION / RETURN SHE Warren Block Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Roview: Roviower's comments: : FEB 8 1983 Working No. Fed. Reg. Date: , 54 Dato Due:3/18/83 -3/2563 Action: L ACCEPT 300/83 Entered in the - RETURN National Begister _ REJECT- Federal Agoncy:- -sample - request - appeal - NR decision Rocom. /Criteria - Reviower Discipline. Date 8 continuation sheet -Nomination returned for: -technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussad below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification ogon orono Mote Aaodarion Owner of Property Prosous Uos 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys M mlr property toon docammanas dl ngios" 7.

Description good rem eoronoratad rume choca eno - unartoros - arterod moae (ll Leoont P summary paragraph completeness Clarity alterations/integrity -at.a Chock ene - orgmel ara - moros doro- 8. Significance rerted Are d 8 and ttty bot adder kranke gaine 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 arag el contread preperty renge rama. VIIT Poterenmo Farted bouandary doos ad petreete 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Tae mratutad axgrothcence of thla proporty wonen mo arte toca Baute Meatonc Prasormacion Omcer etgneture - 13.

Other Maps -Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed Date Phone: 202 272 - 350 170 - 9000 FOR RENT 481-2055 Bride & Beau. Oyeu coit bat. City Hall Musie - ALEUNS WARREN BLOCK 155 Main St., Marlborough, MA Photograph by Elizabeth Durfee Hengen June 1982 Negative filed at 45 Cabot St., Winchester, MA Photo #1: View looking northeast at facade and west elevation UTM: 19/290040/4691250 FIVED January 3, 1983 Ms. Candace Jenkins Mass. Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Mass. 02108 Dear Ms. Jenkins; I have received notification of the submission of my property, The Temple and Warren Blocks in Marlborough, and fully support their nomination to the National Register. Thank you for the Commission's and your efforts in making this possible.

Sincerely, Franco D'Annunzio 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 February 4, 1983 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief 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: Acton - Acton Center Historic District (local) Cheshire - Hall's Tavern (local) Essex - David Burnham House (national) Framingham - Concord Square Historic District (local) Framingham - Paul Gibbs House (local) Gardner - Garbose Building (local) Hopkinton - Hopkinton Supply Co.

Building (local) Marlborough - Temple Block (local) Marlborough - Warren Block (local) North Adams - Chfuch Street Historic District (local) Weymouth - Fogg Building (local) Winchester - Philemon Wright - Asa Locke Farm (local) All have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have beee goenededothpestang tate le vpew Boazd conofderation 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomina- tion forms. Sincerely, Candace Unkins Candace Jenkins Registration Director CJ/1k (S. RECEIVED 3 1933 NATIONAL RECISTER