BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS THEMATIC GROUP NOMINATION LIGHTHOUSE INFORMATION FORM MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 NUMBER 8 PHOTOGRAPH KEY Leslie Fox, MHC - 1981 1. Lighthouse from Clark's Point, Photo #1, by Fox, July, 1981 HISTORIC NAME: Butler Flats Light Station TOWN: New Bedford LOCATION:_New Bedford Channel, Acushnet River COUNTY: Bristol CODE:_005 2. Aerial View, Photo #2 by the U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 10th Coast Guard, Boston, date unknown LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Bristol County Southern District Registry of Deeds (Book 174, p. 305, 305, Comn. of Mass. to U.S.) VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: The nomination is confined to the liaht and its man-made foundation SKETCH MAP New Bedfarn E. R.
FRENCH Butler - Flat Light hoase New Bedford Harbor LAT./LONG.: LAT41° 36'3"N LONG 70°53'42'M UTM COORDINATE: 19/341/800/4607/100 USGS QUADRANGLE:Prov.., RI., Mass., Conn. SCALE: 1:250,000 ACREAGE: Marine Site - less than one acre OWNER (S): U.S. Coast Guard has right of way; maintenance done by the Coast Guard Commemorative Exhibit, New Bedford (private organization) Active/Unmanned N STATUS: RECORDED BY:L._Fox/N. SalzMan ORGANIZATION: Mass. Historical Commission DATE: August, 1981 LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS THEMATIC GROUP NOMINATION Lighthouse #S page 1 SITE DESCRIPTION The Butler Flats Light Station is located in New Bedford Channel at the entrance to New Bedford Harbor. Surrounded by water, it can be seen eas ily from the approach from the sea or from the Clark's Point Light (#12) at the very end of the peninsula, a remote end of the city of New Bedford.
The pen insula, known as Clark's Point, has a scattered residential section, abandoned World War II barracks, acivil war fort, and a water-treatment plant. Access to the lighthouse is made only by boat. LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS THEMATIC GROUP NOMINATION Lighthuose #8 page 2 MAJOR ELEMENTS DESCRIPTION The 53' caisson tank light was built on a marine site in 1898, and is a white and black cylindrical lighthouse that is very similar to the Borden Flats Light (#5) in Fall River. Butler Flats Light consists of a cast iron caisson foundation with curved wave deflecting plates at the top of the caisson. Butler Flats Light is unusual and perhaps unique among the caisson harbor Iights in that the three story tower is constructed of brick and incorporates deta il ing of building architecture such as brick window sills and arches and raised brick below the watch deck level.
The watchstanders room and Tanternhouse are of cast iron construction. The tower was des igned by F. Hopkinton Smith. Construction was completed April 30, 1898. It houses 1091 square feet: office space-201', housing-201': mess deck-254': storage or basement-530'; fog deck-78'; light deck-28'. This offers an example of the way in which the light station was used. Until the station was unmanned, two officers and five enlisted men lived there and maintained the light and fog signal. The light station was built on the soft mud bottom of the channel, upon which the concrete and filled stone foundation was placed. Exterior: Access is gained from an iron ladder that leads directly up to the first balcony, or fog deck, that extends around the tower. There are at least three windows on this level, and a door leading into the tower.
The fog or first deck is quite wide, and its roof is composed of many segments of steel and concrete fixed together. The Light balcony is located on the lamp room level. It is supported by Italianate brackets but the railing and balusters are of a simple design (though not a common one in New England). Nine thin iron vertical railings compose each section of the balustrade. Each baluster topped by a round finial. Lens Room - The balcony around the octagonal lens room has a very simple iron railing that consists of single balusters and railings. It an iron segmented roof (8 triangular segments) topped by the ball-shaped air vent and a lightning rod. LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS THEMATIC CO^!- CNATION Lighthouse#8 page 3 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY 1898 - Station des igned and built by F. Hopkinton Smith, "famous writer-architect-builder"; completed April 30.
A navigational aid with lighthouse tower, light, and fog signal. 1975- A local campaign was begun to save the liahthouse when the Coast Guard determined it was no longer required for safe passage into New Bedford, as the recently built Hurricane Barrier was more effective (1/2 mile closer to Harbor). A small dyke light was installed there. 1978- 1979 - 1981 - The station was unmanned and fully automated by April, and automatic signals and a speed call 7843 encoder/ decoder were installed. The fog signal was moved to the Hurricane Barrier. A private, non-profit group that had organized a successful New Bedford mar ine campaign for the Bicentennial (the Coast Guard Commemorative Exhibit) expressed interest in maintaining the A Revocable License and Standard Department of Transporation Title VI Assurance was given to the city of New Bedford to operate the light as a private aid.
The Coast Guard Commemorative Exhibit plans to make necessary repairs and ma inta in the light. LIGHTHOUSES OF MA3SAAMUSETTS THEMATIC GRUUP NOMIWATION Lighthouse #8 page 4 Level of Significance he Butler Flats Light possesses integrity of location, design, setting, naterlals, and workmanship as well as important associations with the development of aids to navigation in Massachusetts. Erected in 1898, it is a well-ma inta ined example of caisson type construction and the only one of its type designed by a known mar ine architect. The Station meets criteria A, B and C of the National Register of Historic Places. It also meets survey criteria 1c, le, and 4a. LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS THEMATIC GBatler PlatSZigNt-Station, New Bedford Harhor:Mass. mindow Sills Id Ei 2~d Storiar. Window Sills &Oaps 3rd Story Plate. 2 Plan Frent Zlere Windon Caps. l462-dSlorier.
1g.24 _ 1tr% ngo chimnrg Pianof /Story IigS CellarPlan. Jigr Pan. Tg15. ENTRANCE DOOR CAP Nº560 SHEET 2 oF 10 Fardaon ayürder Butler Fluts Light-Station, New Bedto Euvacion +-57-- Gytinder Plates. Elevation F4z0 bor: Muss. Euva Elonation Fig.57. Pan Figse STORM SMUTTER crY of this :Jare.1868. IGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSET THEMATIC GROUP NOMINATION Plate. 3 Plan Fig1s 220/this Try.n -- 17$-17--29: Nº560 SHEET 3 OF 10 - §LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS THEMATIC GROUP NOMINATION h: 52* (malti ber) jegtich :341 ,"prnd Storu Mindorus Butler Flats Light-Station, New Bedford Harbor, Mass. Cellar Kirdore. 3 orchis Hory Hindor Plate 9 Closet Door Frame 2 ofthis and/modyju.lir s sco. Nº 560 SHEET 9 OF 10 Buvation Iig1k Euvacioru Figt watck Ra slavaz sectiar Pig.
24 Sink.19th Secaane 9 sig es LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS IHEMATIC GROUP NOMINATION Plan of 3w Stery Fig1 Butler Flats Light-Station, New Bedford Harbor, Mass. Nüsherand ScaveBolt WATCHROOM FLOOR. PLAN. Half wnx. Flan. ENTRANCE DOOR OILL 9. Plaro enScory. Tig2 SECTION GG. ng. 1 GALLERY PLATE. Tig 21 s.uie PLAN. s.vis Plate 7. Buiss?. WATCHROPM PLA INVERTED PLAN. SOUTH. WATCH AOOM DOOR Pate 263 cina 7g+5 DOHINE. OETAILS& CALLERY RAILIN Pian s'Qalleryand rãich ruim Tho sig.27 SECTION' CC. rg. SECTION HH Copper Pipa. 8: of" Sig s1 8 SECTIONSO As'cest Hondle Uumside sardiu. Syonis Door L Nº 560 SHEET 7 OF 10 #8 LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSFTTS THEMATIC GROUP NOMINATION Fairhaven N New Bedord Harbor New Bedford cark's Point Butter Flats Light Station 1.
Taver NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Item number OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received MAY 4 1987 date entered Page 374 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Lighthouses of Massachusetts TR MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review MP21. Hospital Point Light Station Deihsd Date/Signature 22. Graves Light Station 23. Annisquam Harbor Light Station Iatered im t Intdoned Regdistoz The Beacon 24. Satered 1a Mational Regieter Tpute 25. Bird Island Light Bogh ar fKeeper, delous Byua 9/9t. Attest feeper AuloresBye 6/15/8; Attest fReeper DelouByau6/ito; Attest Iatered in National Begister) okeeper HebmsBruspeti; 26. Borden Flats Light Station Batored 18 Matiomell . Jeylahox Attest Jtkeeper AeluseaBgus 6457 27.
Boston Light Station Iatorad fereper Attest DeluresByur 61578, 28. Brant Point Light Station Mattoned 18602 WKeeper Albru Bzu 919657 29. Butler Flats Light Station imtered Natiosel Attest Mheeper Attest AelaresByer 6/15/8, 30. Cape Poge (Pogue) Light latored National Roglatez Keeper Attest Aelovaßzan9986 87001530 WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Butler Flats Light Station (Lighthouses of Massachusetts TR) Bristol County MASSACHUSETTS X resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: J sample Lrequest Working No. 428/82 Fed. Reg. Date: 2 22/88 Date Due: _ 6/18/81 Action: LACCEPT_ 6-/5-87 Entered in the RETURN.
MationeL BOgLaVeL -REJECT Federal Agency: U SCG LJappeal -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 Iruins 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 title date 13. Other - Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed..
- Date Phone: GPO 918-450 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet File No. ISubject PLEASE CREDIT U.'S. COAST GUARD OFFICIAL PHOTO FIRST CUAST GUARD DISTRICT 01 104 -06 Butter Filate I1 Location Photographer THEMATIC GROUP NOMINATION LIGHTHOUSES OF MASSACHUSETTS BUTLER FLATS LIGHT STATION NEWV BEDFORD #E PHOTO #ZOFZ Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000282