Nomination for US Post Office--Arlington Main

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-306 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES RECEIVED MAY 7 1986 - INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM JUN I 8 1986 DATE ENTERED FOR FEDERAL PROPERTIES SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 2 3 6 NAME HISTORIC United States Post Office AND/OR COMMON Arlington Main Post Office LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 10 Court Street CITY.

TOWN Arlington STATE 02174 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION NZA VICINITY OF CODE 0037 _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Eighth Congressional District COUNTY Middlesex 017 CATEGORY DISTRICT XBUILDING(S) -STRUCTURE -SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP X PUBLIC -PRIVATE -BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION N/AIN 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 XGOVERNMENT _SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION MILITARY _OTHER: AGENCY REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS: (If applicable) New England Field Real Estate and Buildings Office STREET & NUMBER 1050 Waltham Street CITY. TOWN Lexington N/A VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE Massachusetts 02173 COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC.

STREET & NUMBER Cambridge Registry of Deeds, Cambridge Courthouse 208 Cambridge Street CITY. TOWN Cambriage REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS STATE Massachusetts 02140 TITLE None DATE -FEDERAL _STATE COUNTY_LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN STATE 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION XEXCELLENT _GOOD FAIR -DETERIORATED _RUINS CHECK ONE _UNALTERED X ALTERED CHECK ONE X ORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE. _UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

_PHYSICAL APPEARANCE_ The building sits on the front part of the site with the main vehicle maneuvering area to its rear with access to it on the north edge, and a staff parking area to the south. The site is landscaped with lawn, shrubs and several trees. The Arlington Post Office is designed in a simplified version of the Georgian Colonial Revival style. It's distinctive features include a slate hipped roof, wood cupola, brick quoins, and a limestone entrance architrave. The building is symmetrical in both plan and elevation with a later addition that almost doubles the size of the original structure. In plan, the building is fronted with a small vestibule and a public lobby flanked by the Postmaster's office and service areas to the right and workroom space to the left. Behind the service screen is the workroom, mail vestibule, and platform.

Seven granite steps with wrought-iron railings create the main approach. The building rises above its granite base with brick laid in Flemish bond and limestone detailing. The front (east) elevation divides the seven-bay structure into a three-bay central, slightly projecting portion with two-bay wings. The center portion contains three arched openings; the center arch houses the replacement aluminum and glass entry doors framed by a limestone architrave with keystone, fan light, and rusticated pilasters supporting an entablature; cast bronze lamps are to either side of the entry. Double-hung, 15/15 light wood sash windows with fan lights flank the entry in the recessed outer arches with limestone keystone, springer stones, and panel below. The windows in the flanking bays are double-hung with wood sashes, 12/12 lights, limestone sills and flared lintels with keystones.

The original part of the building is marked by its brick quoins and limestone cornices. The roof of the center portion is raised above the flanking sides; the cornice features a small limestone (-62) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Arlington Post Office Item number 1 Exp. 10-31-84 For HPS uee only recelved dete entered Page 2 band with a larger limestone denticulated cornice above and is topped with an octagonal open columned wood belfry and copper cupola. A metal rain diverter has been added above the entry, weakening the effect of the simple rooflines. The side elevations are similar in detail to the front of the Post Office. The mail platform is located in the back.

One enters the building through an original vestibule which has a white marble wainscot with nicely carved stained oak and glass panels above. The inner doors to the north and south are also of replacement aluminum and glass. A partition wall of plaster, glass and aluminum runs along the south end of the vestibule to separate the post office box area from the service area. The lobby area has a white marble wainscot three and one-half feet high with a black marble base and a beige and black checker- board terrazzo floor with black marble edging. The walls and ceiling are of plaster; the east and west walls curve to meet the ceiling molding, also of plaster. The window sills and postmaster's entry are of stained wood. _ALTERATIONS_ The major changes to the building, the addition, metal diverter, and the lobby alterations were done in 1964.

Also at that time, two skylights over the original workroom were removed and a suspended ceiling installed. _ART_ On the north wall of the lobby, around the Postmaster's door, is a heavy canvas mural installed in 1938 above the wainscot. Entitled "Purchase and Use of the Soil," it is in excellent condition.

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 -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _RELIGION ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC _CONSERVATION -LAW -SCIENCE AGRICULTURE ECONOMICS -LITERATURE XARCHITECTURE _SCULPTURE EDUCATION _MILITARY -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN XART -ENGINEERING _MUSIC -COMMERCE -THEATER _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _ PHILOSOPHY -TRANSPORTATION _COMMUNICATIONS LINDUSTRY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -OTHER (SPECIEVI _INVENTION SPECIFIC DATES Excavation: July 4, 1935 Ross & Reid Stone Setting Co., builder Dedication: April 26, 1936 UILDER/ARCHITECTMaurice P. Meade, Con. Architect STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

Addition: 1965 Lord & Den Hartog & Assoc.Architects Fenton G. Keys, Assoc. Engineer Built in 1935, the Arlington Main Post Office building is part of Arlington Center's collection of architecturally significant structures dating from the early 19th century - mid 20th century (including Robbins Library (1914) and the Federal Revival City Hall). Architecturally this building is significant as a reflection of 1930's Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) policies advocating standardized construction and more efficient planning. For example, sites for new post office buildings during the 1930's were chosen with an eye toward more efficient service rather than prominent display on a major thoroughfare - the Arlington Main Post Office is located on a residential side street.

The Colonial style was chosen for its design perhaps in reference to Arlington historical associations with British and American skirmishes related to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The Colonial Revival style was the second most popular architectural mode for Federal government building design during the 1930's. Along with the Classical style, the Colonial Revival style was "symbolic of both American past and her future progress and increasingly the architectural symbol of the Federal Government." This modern scaled red brick and white stone trimmed building is characterized by Georgian Revival surface treatments (e.g. fanlights, keystone archs and wedge shaped lintel). It is dominated by a distinctive cupola with arched openings. Its overall appearance is more domestic than institutional rendering it compatible with its residential neighbors.

The appropriation for the Arlington Main Post Office building was $175,000.00. The local Chamber of Congress and more specifically Arthur Birch is credited with securing the funds for this structure. Excavation began on July 4, 1935. On September 19, 1935 the cornerstone was laid. It reads Henry Morgenthau, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury, James A. Farley, Postmaster General, Louis A. Simon, Supervisory Architect, Neal A. Melnick, Supervisory Engineer, Maurice P. Meade, Architect 1935. This building's consulting architect, Maurice P. Meade was also responsible for Somerville's Main Post Office (1935-1936). He was born in Boston in 1883 and graduated from M.I.T. in 1908. Between 1910-1940 his office is variously listed at 44 Bromfield St. and 80 Boylston St. He designed the Church of the Sacred Heart in North Quincy. He retired in 1954 and died October 4, 1955.

At the time of this building's dedication, it was called "similar to some of Harvard University's buildings." Its interior was deemed "handsomely finished." Arlington painter and interior decorator William L. Crooch is credited with the interior treatments. The lobby contains a mural by William C. Palmer of New York City. The mural depicts

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Mural Information-New England Field Real Estate and Buildings Office, Lexington, MA "The Arlington Advocate", Vol. LXVI, July 21, 1938 History of Post Office Construction 1900-1940, July 1982 Boston Public Library Architects File Arlington, The Growing Years: 1875-1975 Arlington Heritage Trust, 1977 Pg. 74-75 Arlington Advocate: 9-19-35-page 1; 4-23-36 pgs. 1 and 3; 4-30-36-pgs. 1 and 8; 8-22-35- 187, 4-3.6 p83. 1 and 3: 4-30.36.pes.

1 am 3: .2-5- pgs 186 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY - 1.06 UTM REFERENCES A 1,9/ 3/2,21519,5J ZONE EASTING 14,6/98/0,8,0 NORTHING LIILL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION South to North - 195' along Court Street East to West - 148.42' along Court Street Place *ZONE EASTINGNORTHING EASTING LaJLLiLi LLILL West to East - 149.58' along side lot line North to South - 7.59' towards inside of site East to West - 116.96' along side lot line North to South - 132.88' along Central Street West to East - 116.55' along side lot line rear lot line Nortb tisSALLSTATESSS0COUNTRS FOR PROPER 1ES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Steven M.

Smith, Project Manager ORGANIZATION SULLIVAN DESIGN GROUP, INC STREET & NUMBER 44 Adams Street CITY OR TOWN Braintree DATE September 24, 1985 TELEPHONE (617) 848-1545 STATE Massachusetts 02184 12 CERTIFICATION OF NOMINATION STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER RECOMMENDATION NONE Valeui Laemade STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE In compliance with Executive Order 11593, I hereby nominate this property to the National Register, certifying that the State iIStoric Preservation Officer has been allowed 90 glays in ymich to presenf the nomination to the State Review Board and t evaluate its significance. The evaluated level of sighificanee is. FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE. TITLE Realty Specialist Senior DATE 4/28/86 FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER ratick Andus DATE DIRECTOR.

OFFICGOFARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION DATE 6/18/56 6-17-86 KEEFER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 899-214 (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form UMD NO. IU24-UU18 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only recelved date entered Continuation sheet Arlington Main Post Office Item number 8 Page2 scenes from old Menotomy (now Arlington and vicinity) including the purchase of Menotomy from Squaw Sachem. Palmer is known for a mural in the former Washington Post Office Department building. The Arlington Main Post Office building provided jobs to local citizens during the Depression, including Ralph Hoffman, Plumbing Contractor, The Columbia Cornice Company and the Smalley Granite Company. At the end of 1935, 650 persons were working on Work Progress Administration (W.P.A.) jobs.

The Arlington Main Post Office was built to meet the mail service needs of a rapidly growing community. In 1915, Arlington encompassed 2,470 dewlling houses. By 1935 the number of residences had risen to 6,893 representing an increase of 179% in twenty years - even though construction came to a virtual halt after 1931. 2 Story Wood-Frame House 2 Story Wood-Frame Offices Academy Street Limestone Federal City Hal1 Building upen Park Classical Revival Publ1c Library Library Way [] AVENU TTS SSACHUSE M A 2 Story Greek Revival Orthodox Church Wood-Frame 2 Sto: Brick 2 Story Wood Retail Frame Residences CENTRAL U 1 Story Brick STR 132,881 E E T Retail 2 Story Brick Colonial Revival Old Police Station - 1927 116.

8 116.96' 55,541 7,59' Parking 8 5 Limestone Classical Revival 149.58' 148.42' Bank t COUR-T (one way) 195' STREET 2 Story Brick Retail/Office Building Private Parking 2 Story, Wood-Frame Offices Hous? Parking 1 Story Concrete Offices 2 Story, Wood-Framed Private Residences Retail UNITED STATES POST OFFICE - ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 1 - Vestibule 2 - Service Part of Lobby 3 - Postal Boxes part of Lobby 4 - Postmaster's Office 5 - Workroom 6 - Mail Vestibule 7 - Mail Platform 8 - Vehicle Areas 1 Story Concrete Block Shed 2 Story Wood- Frame House ? Story Wood- Frame House -0- 2 Story Wood- Frame House 3 Story Wood- Frame House COURT STREET PLACE (Private Way) 2 Story Wood-Frame Residences N Arlington Reservoir E MC LEAN SHOSPTA Waverle B0s 6 Clypit Pond Mystic Upper VALLEY P0.

-Lakk Louer MYSTIC Mystic/ MiiPibafang Apnes HieArlingion MISTH- Pond SPY V/sch Las oigton Cem AlewAre MigKSch Little Pond AMERIDGF. CONCORD Course Golf Belmdet demetery Playgroundo (2) Rirer Drivemn! Theater. City Infirmary Fresh Filtration Pond Plant knsiy Athletic Field Shopping Center! St Peters Radio Field, "CAMBRIDG Plsygloted Cahanán Playgtoyncy 8600/351 WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET U.S. Post Office--Arlington Main Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS Substantive Review Working No.

MAY 1986 resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Date Due: _ 6/5/86- 6/21/86 Action: LACCEPT 6-18-86 -RETURN _REJECT Federal Agency: - USPS Substantive Review: A sample Jrequest _J appeal LNR decision Reviewer's comments: significant representatine of Colonial locallyed-preerved lobley is lue to mural enstitle propety's significance Recom./Criterja Accept A +C vavage Purchase+ Uu oftle Discipline architetural History Date- 6-17-86 Soil" by W'illiam C. Jalmer. -see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: . _ technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition Status Accessible Present Use 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 J fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one -unaltered J altered Check one Joriginal site moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 8. Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Builder/Architect J 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 Bdue 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 title date 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 ICE Arlington Post Office ARLINGION MAIN POST OFFICE Arlington, MA David R. Hooker Ear1 R. Flansburgh and Associates May 1983 Front elevation Arlington Post Office ARLINGTON MAIN POST OFFICE Arlington, MA David R. Hooker Earl R. Flansburgh and Associates May 1983 Front elevation. Left view NE WAY P'NLEED SENES TUSE Arlington Post Office ARLINGTON MAIN POST OFFICE Arlington, MA David R. Hooker Earl R. Flansburgh and Associates May 1983 Front elevation.

Right view 102 SUPERINTENDEN Arlington Post Office ARLINGTON MAIN POST OFFICE Arlington, MA David R. Hooker Earl R. Flansburgh and Associates May 1983 Mural WATES POSTA FIELD REAL ESTATE AND BUILDINGS OFFICE P.O. Box 324 g MA 02173-0324 August 19, 1985 The Honorable Donald Marquis Town Manager, Town of Arlington Arlington Town Hall 730 Massachusetts Avenue Arlington, MA 02174 Dear Town Manager Marquis: The U.S. Postal Service in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer in Boston has evaluated the Main Post Office in Arlington and has determined it is significant from an historical viewpoint. In view of the above evaluation, the U.S. Postal Service intends to nominate this building to the National Register of Historic Places. We would, prior to our taking formal action, appreciate receiving your concurrence.

If you concur with our proposed action, kindly return a signed copy of this letter in the enclosed envelope. Sincerely, ofry &ritiand Concur: ( Enclosures JPC/1jr TOWN OF ARLINGTON AUG 2 6 1985 ACRONR PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENI RECEIVED BS POSTAL SERVICE SEP 10 10 31 PM*85 NEW ENCLAND FIELD REAL ESTATE& ELD0 OFFICE LEXINCTON C8PE ,P1 deuQuA empict blanod eldstondil ort nosparia to nwot,Jopsral rwo!

LEst nwat neapnEisa PurSVA asJseumpreed4 08T ATISO AM ,nospnrlsA :aLUpTEM tOpSREM AwOT 16S0 oigoderh otsda eddesurbseael odt daiw cordonutnoo nu boivmsa .2.0 s.Tl nosgatia nt enilio jecs atel erg bedsulsve asri nodec mu 1og.130 goitsvseserl gug uge AtevbotuE- TU AIGM OE FUO OPOAS GASTURTON FUG Nº2 FOSCST BSLAJOE TUPSUCE CO DOUTUSTE Secotdel erd oa entbliud eida -sorelanos suoy erivieset sisteggs poldos Ismol prioiss tud aa do goo bempra s muder yionia noidas betogong mo duin tuonos voy ti ,scolovne becolone ora mi xepdej ,yigieonta Jesone8 astusoions TE0090 JATES U.S.MAIL UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20260 May 5, 1986 Ms. Carol D. Shull Chief of Registration National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of Interior Washington, D.C. 20240-1002 Dear Ms.

Shull: The Postal Service hereby submits a nomination for the post office located at 10 Court Street, Middlesex County, Arlington, Massachusetts. If you have questions concerning this nomination, please call me at 202/268-3107. Sincerely, falAsamu Senior Office of Real Estate Enclosure MAY 7 1986