Nomination for Union Station

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 8-86) OMB No. 1024-0018 RECEIVED United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form MAY 1 3 1988 NATIONAL AEGISTER This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1. Name of Property historic name other names/site number Union Station none 2. Location street & number city, town state MA Depot Street Pa lmer code MA 025 county Harpden NA not for publication NA vicinity code MA 013 zip code 01069 3.

Classification Ownership of Property private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property xbuilding(s) district site structure object Name of related multiple property listing: N/A Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing buildings sites structures objects Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register _ 0 4. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this X nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the propertymeets does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet.

A Signature of certifying official 5 4/88 Daté Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Camission; State or Federal agency and bureau State Historic Preservation Officer In my opinion, the property meets _does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet. Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 5. National Park Service Certification hereby, certify that this property is: entered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. Entered in the ZelieDyun rationa) roelatore- 6/9/88 removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) _ Signature of the Keeper Date of Action 6.

Function or Use Union Station, Palmer, Massachusetts Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Transportation/railroad station Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Vacant 7. Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) Late Victorian/Richardsonian Romanesque Materials (enter categories from instructions) foundation Stoneblock walls - Random ashlar, granite roof other Slate Describe present and historic physical appearance. Union Station is located in downtown Palmer at the western terminus of Depot Street. North and west of the Station property is the Palmer conmercial district; to the east is a mixed commercial and residential area; south, beyond the train lines is a mixed residential and industrial area.

Located approximately 650 feet from the westernmost house on Depot Street, the lot on which the Station sits is triangular-shaped and contains 18,695 square feet of land. The Station is bounded by the triple lines of Conrail on the north, by the double lines of the Vermont Central Railroad to the south, and by a forty five foot wide gravel and stone parking lot to the east. The two sets of tracks cross and form the triangular lot on which the Station stands. The remaining portion of the original railyard (1 l/2-acres) is a vacant lot enelosed by a chainlink fence and used by the Vermont Central Railroad to store equipment. The original passenger sheds for the Station extended from the northeast corner of the building (160 feet); these were removed ca. 1940 (see Map #1).

Union Station has a trapezoidal plan and rises from a sandstone foundation through one full story to a second story contained beneath a slate-covered complex hipped roof. The roof originally extended beyond the building's walls to a depth of approximately thirteen feet forming porches on all four sides of the Station, these overhangs were removed from the north elevation (1986). Two stone chimneys rise from the roof, one at both the east and west ends. Designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, the building has walls of random ashlar Monson granite trinmed with Longmeadow sandstone. Windows, doors, and arches are framed with rusticated sandstone surrounds. Windows are of varying sizes; most are three tiers high with the bottom level being the largest (containing 1/1 sash) and the top two of smaller but equal size (single-pane sash).

Window widths are either of single, double, tripartite or quintuple glazing separated by sandstone mullions. Doors are capped by heavy sandstone lintels. Of the twelve entries, seven retain their original doors. The Station's primary entry is at the east elevation from Depot Street. The east elevation is composed symmetrically around a central tripartite arched window, behind which the ticket office for both the Boston & Albany Railroad [X See continuation sheet NPS Form 10-000 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number_/ Page - OMB Aoprovei NC 1024-0018 Union Station, Palmer, MA and the New London Northern Railroad. Flanking the central arch are identical entries, each consisting of a wide doorway topped by a large arched transom (now blocked with plywood).

At each end of the elevation is a large three-tier quintuple window. Behind the southern window was the New London Northern baggage roan was housed behind the north window. Rising above the first story, is a central cross gable containing an arched opening (presumed to be a window originally but now blocked with plywood). The north elevation, facing the Boston & Albany tracks, is composed asymmetrically (see Drawing #1).

Fran the east end, the elevation possesses a three-tier tripartite window, an entry which originally opened into the smoking roan, an entry opening into the general waiting area, two three-tier tripartite windows between which was originally a Western Union telegraph office, a second entry opening into the general waiting area, a three-tier tripartite window, an entry leading to the kitehen, a three-tier tripartite window, a single tier window, an entry opening into the Boston & Albany agent's office, and a three-tier single width window. Above the first story, three gabled dormers project from the roof. The largest of these (east) contains three narrow windows over five windows of a slightly larger size. The two smaller domers (west) are identical, each containing three small windows.

The south elevation, facing the New London Northern tracks, is an asynmetrical assortment of doors and windows (see Drawing #1). Beginning fron the west end, the elevation possesses a single-tier window, a single width three-tier window, an entry which led to the New London Northern agent's office, an entry opening into the kitehen, a single width three-tiered window, a single tier double window, a three-tier tripartite window, an entry opening into the former dining roan, a three-tier double window and a three-tier single width window which light the ladies room, a three-tier double window, an entry to the general waiting area, a three-tier tripartite window, an entry for the New London Northern baggage room, and a large arched window. The original layout of the Station called for a ticket office at the east end flanked by a smoking room (north) and a baggage room (south).

The general waiting roan was thirty feet by fifty feet with entrances fran the platfomm on each side (north and south). A semi-circular glass Western Union office bordered the north side of the waiting roan; to the west was a restaurant with a kitchen and pantry. Two agent's offices completed the floorplan at the building's west end. On the second floor were roans for conductors. Although recently partioned, the Station retains most of its original interior fabric. Notable are the two large Ramanesque arches dividing the waiting roam. Walls of the Station's interior are of pressed brick to a height of six feet with molded red oak sheathing the walls to the celling. The original waiting room was two stories in height with a cathedral ceiling; interior light was from the roof domer and gas lamps. The station has a full basement with a dirt floor.

(continued) OMB ADOrOwei NO 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-000- (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ Page- Union Station, Palmer, MA Significant alterations to the building include the removal of approximately 160 feet of the north passenger shed and twenty five feet of the south shed (ca. 1940), and the partial removal of the roof overhang (1986). A fire in June of 1981 burned through a portion of the west and southwest roof causing minor damage. The original plans called for the construction of a separate baggage room for the Boston & Albany Railroad about thirty feet fram the Station's east entry. Indications are this structure was removed some time prior to 1938; assessor's records fail to identify the exact date of removal or even its existence as a separate structure.

Consequently, nothing is known of this structure's design or construction from local records. Archaeology While no sites are currently recorded on the property, it is possible that sites are present. Two known sites are reported in close proximity (within one mile) to the property. In general, however, the potential for significant archaeological remains, either prehistoric or historic, seems low, as a result of small lot size and the impacts of railroad construction on the lot. (continued) 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Inion Station, Palmer, Massachusetts Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: nationally statewide Xlocally Applicable National Register Criteria XA B Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Architecture Conunity Planning and Development Transportation D Period of Significance 1883-1938 Significant Dates Cultural Affiliation N/A Signitica/A Person Architect/Builder Henry Hobson Richardson, architect Flynt Construction Company, builders State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above.

Union Station in Palmer, Massachusetts possesses integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, and historical association with the development of Palmer as an industrial and transportation center in the nineteenth century. Designed by Henry Hobson Richardson for the Boston & Albany Railroad, Station remains a well-preserved example of Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture. Union Station is of local importance and meets Criteria A and C for listing on the National Register of Historie Places. Although it was farming that first drew settlers to the valley in the early eighteenth century, Palmer as it stands today was actually built by the mills and railroads of the nineteenth century. The textile mills were responsible for the development of Palmer's villages of Thorndike, Three Rivers, and residential center grew along the railroad line and was aptly named Depot Village.

The caning of the Western Railroad (later Boston & Albany) in 1839 completion of the New London Northern Railroad (later the Vermont Central) in 1850 connected Palmer with water shipping routes in the south reducing the cost of moving raw materials and finished goods to and from the mills. In the first fifteen years after the coming of the Boston & Albany, the population of the town doubled and continued to increase until it peaked in the early 1920s. Depot Village grew to be by far the largest of the four villages comprising the town of Palmer. The large amount of transportation activity at Depot Village and the expansion of the Boston & Albany line impelled the building of a large new station to replace the two smaller and inconvenient stations serving the village. Construction began in May of 1883, with Union Station being opened to the public on June 1, 1884.

For passengers in the late 1800s, the Station became a stop on a long trip or a transfer point between railroad lines. Among the largest number of travelers to pass through Union Station were the inmigrants coming to work in the textile mills. The village soon provide three hotels to serve the [X] See continuation sheet 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Union Station, Palmer, Massachusetts Previous documentation on file (NPS): preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested previously listed in the National Register previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 10.

Geographical Data Acreage of property Quad- Palmer UTM References A1 8 7 210 6210 Zone Easting less than one acre Scale- 1:25000 416 7028,0 Northing 11L [X] See continuation sheet Primary location of additional data: X State historic preservation office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Specify repository: Massachusetts Historical Commission's Inventory of Historical Assets #A-275 Easting Northing See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description see assessors map See continuation sheet Boundary Justification The boundary of the nominated property is the lot historically associated with Union Station. See continuation sheet 11.

Form Prepared By name/title Betsy Friedberg, National Register Director/MHC with Christine Beard/Sandra Nichols organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date January 21, 1988 street & number 80 Boylston Street telephone_(617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state Massachusetts zip code 02116 wps torm laokkre United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historie Places Continuation Sheet UMD ADDrINE M 1064-0018 Section number . Page - Union Station, Palmer, MA transient population while boardinghouses grew in number to temporarily house the new arrivals. Many people passed through Palmer to make connections on their way to mills in Ware, Athol, Hardwick, Winchendon, and Northampton. For industry, the Station provided a shipping outlet for its goods.

Sane of the larger accounts to use the railroad were the Thorndike Company, the Boston Duck Company, The Paimer Campany (all textile mills), The Holden Woolen Mill, Ridge's Food for Infants and Invalids Company, and the Palmer Carpet Mill. Union Station was a stopping point for many trains during World War I; men being moved from the north paused long enough in Palmer for a hot meal on their way to join ships docked in New London Harbor. By the turn of the century, thirty to forty trains stopped daily at Union Station. Railroad activity was at its peak in Palmer with five railroad companies serving various sections of town. The Boston & Albany, the Vermont Central, the Ware River Line, the Athol-Enfield Line, and the Boston & Maine Railroad were all in operation; building had commenced but was never completed on the Hampden Line and the Southern New England Railroad (Grand Trunk).

Although finaneing for the construction of the Hampden line was secured, operating monies and management expertise were anticipated to came from a merger with the Boston & Main Railroad. When this merger failed to occur, the line was unable to profitably continue. Construction of the Grant Trunk was haled for financial reasons. When funds ran short the builder, Charles Hay, returned to England seeking further financing. Unfortunately, Hay booked return passage to the United States on the Titanic. Without Hay's leadership, construction on the line halted shortly after his death. The village of Thorndike had a small depot of its own while Three Rivers and Bondsville each supported two train stations, though very modest ones.

In 1912, the citizens of Palmer erected a sign just east of the town center proclaiming "Palmer, The Town of Seven Railroads." Many of the residences on Church, Pleasant, and South Main Streets in Depot Village were built by employees of the railroads: agents, engineers, and operators settled near Union Station and built a number of fine Victorian homes. Along with the permanent residents brought by the railroads were many visiting dignitaries and politicians. Abraham Lincoln stopped briefly in Depot Village on March 5, 1860, as did U.S. Grant (July 29, 1865) and James Polk (June 28, 1847). Andrew Johnson addressed the town's population from the rear of a train on June 29, 1867. Jenny Lind stopped long enough in July of 1851 to stroll down Main Street. On August 20, 1914, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt broke his trrin trip long enough to dine at the Nassawana House Hotel on Main Street.

Alfred Smith became lost during his 1928 Vice-Presidential campaign (cont inued) NPS Form 10,000 (8-06) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB ADOFONRN NC 1024-0018 Section number. Page - Union Station, Palmer, MA and found himself in Palmer; he ate at the station restaurant before continuing on nis way to Amherst. Of the more permanent visitors was Erasmus S. Fields (1833-1847 and 1854-1859) who painted the portraits of a number of prominent citizens in his studio on Main Street. By the 1930s, with the closing of the textile mills and the increase of automobile and truck transport, the railroad began a slow decline. Little used, Union Station remained the property of the railroad until it finally discontinued passenger service in 1960.

After 1960, the station served as a pool hall and luncheonette; the building is currently vacant. Union Station is the earliest surviving example of Henry Hobson Richardson's work for the Boston & Albany Railroad and is in itself an outstanding example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture. Cormissioned in August 1881, Richardson was challenged to design a station that would serve both the New London Northern Railroad and the Boston & Albany, replacing the existing two station fomat. The result was a unique trapezoidal design placed in the triangular area formed by the crossing of the lines. The critical elements of Richardson's style are present in the massive but simple structure with polychramatie rock faced masonry, Romanesque arches, and broad roof plans.

This station also successfully exhibits Richardson's intent of design as described by Marianna Griswold VanRensselaer in 1885: A glance at anyone of them shows that Richardson strove first of all clearly to express the building's purpose -- to mark the fact that a station is not a house but a shelter, not a place to live in but, so to say, a place to wait under. The roof is the chief feature not the walls". Significant involvement by H.H. Richardson is evidenced by the existence of the Study Plan for the Station drawn in his own hand (this is reproduced in H.H. Richardson Camplete Architectural Works by Jeffrey Karl Ochsner, see bibliography). Although the interior plan was later modified, the original shape, entrance, and platfom treatment was maintained.

Union Station, therefore, embodies the influential characteristics of Richardson's designs and the pride of the railroads which built it. Although portions of the been renoved, the station retains enough originati fabrle that the essence of H.H. Richardson's style remains. The Flynt Construction Company of Monson, Massachusetts (later of Palmer) received the contract for the building of Union Station with a bid of $40,000, although the actual cost was $53,616. The Flynt Campany was chosen for the fine quality of granite in their Monson quarry and their recent success in the Coratro Lyon Memorial Library, andSt Patrickse Chered athe ofowuntanl, atde construction of numerous local buildings.

(continued) OMB AaproNel NO 1024-0018 NPS Form 10,800e (B-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 Page - 3 Union Station, Palmer, MA St. Paul's Universalist Church of Palmer. During the 1880s, the company expanded their operations to include all of New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. Among the major conmissions received and completed were as follows: South Park Avenue Church, Chicago; St. Franeis Zavier Church, New York City; East Orange, New Jersey High School; Post Office, Skowhegan, Maine; and the Mills in Biddeford/Saco, Maine. By 1896, the company employed between 800 and 1,000 men. Within twenty-five years, however, with the deaths of most of the original partners, the company found itself in financial trouble. The business was liquidated in 1921.

Also conmissioned at the time of the Station, but no longer intact, was Union Station Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. The park was located in the entrance to the depot yard. The approach to the Station was down a slight decline with the Boston & Albany tracks on the right and the park on the left bordered by the lines of the New London Northern Railroad on its far side. Olmstead designed the approximately one-acre park as a peaceful warm weather waiting area with roofed circular benches connected by gravel walkways. The focal point was a twenty foot stone grotto with pool and fountain. The park was maintained until filled in during railroad excavations (ca. 1950). The town's six original railway stations were of typical mid-nineteenth century rectangular plan with pitched roofs and high walls.

Consequently, Richardson's unique design for Union Station was first viewed by local citizens with skeptieism: "Architecturally the building will be about as handsome as a flat iron with the handle off. It will appear very 'squatty' in fact -- all length and no height. For the amount of money to be invested in the structure the roads ought to have a much handsomer and considerably larger building..."(Palmer Journal. July 20, 1883). Palmer's architectural tastes lagged behind the more stylish eastern areas; Greek Revival houses were the dominant building type as late as 1875 in the town's villages. By May 1884 the tone of the Palmer Journal artieles had dramatically changed: "Although the building may not be classified as belonging to any particular style of architecture, it certainly has a very picturesque external appearance." With this modicum of acceptance, the town chose H. R.

Robertson of Springfield in 1890 to design Memorial Hall in a modified Richardsonian Romanesque style. Although of pressed red brick, the building contains Ronanesque arches and window treatments similar to Union Station. The balance of publie buildings constructed in Palmer in the late nineteenth century were of Classical Revival design while the residences were of conservative Victorian styling. OMB Approwei NO 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-000 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page - Union Station, Palmer, MA BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Eddy, Charles W. Palmer Illustrated with Pen and Camera. 1884, Ware, Mass. Hitheock, Henry Russell. The Architecture of H.H. Richardson and His Times. MIT Press, 1977, Cambridge, Mass. 3. Ochsner, Jeffrey Carl. H.H. Richardson: Complete Architectural Works. 4.

O'Gorman, James F. H.H. Richardson and His Office. Harvard, 1974, Boston, 5. Pictorial Palmer. Carpenter & Cady. 1896, Palmer, Mass. 6. Temple, J.H. History of the Town of Palmer. Town of Palmer, 1889, Palmer, Mass. 7. Van Renselaer, Mariana Griswold. Henry Hobson Richardson and His Works. Dover Publications, 1969, New York, New York 8. Palmer Journal. April 27, 1883, Palmer, Mass. 9. Palmer Journal. May 18, 1883, Palmer, Mass. 10. Palmer Journal. May 24, 1884, Palmer, Mass. 11. Palmer Journal. December 26, 1884, Palmer, Mass. 12. Palmer Journal. August 20, 1914, Palmer, Mass. 13. Palmer Journal. July 1851, 1847, 1848, 1860, 1865, 1892, Palmer, Mass. 14. Springfield Daily News. April 17, 1943, Springfield, Mass. 15. Springfield Daily News. June 30, 1981, Springfield, Mass.

88000715 ASO Form - 17 'R" June 1984 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Union Station Hampden County MASSACHUSETTS L resubmission L nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: -sample Reviewer's comments: _request Working No. MAY 13 1988 270 Date Due: - 6/21/88 Action: VACCEPT - 6-988 Entered in the - RETURN National Registe _REJECT Federal Agency: . Lappeal -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 Junexposed Check one - unaltered J altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance I summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use Check one Loriginal 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 compléteness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other bc noltsl 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 Union Station Depot street ralmer, Ma. S. Nichols March 1986 Palmer Historical Commission Photo number 1 of 2 North & West Facades union ttatior sepot Stree Palmer, MA Photographer. 3.Nichds March, 198l0 negative: Palmer Hlistark P.O.Box 81 Palmer, MA View: Photo : prior to remo porches 10f3 Union Station Depot Street falmer, Ma. Photographer: S.

Nichols 3/1986 Palmer Historical Commission Photo number 2 of 2 East & North Facades Unon Station Depot Street Palmer ,MA Photographer S.Nichds March, 19ale negative: Palmer Historkal Commissid P.O.Ba 81 Palmer IMA 01069 View Latunt cuhueteat noth removal O Ferches. Phoo: 20f3 May 4, 1988 Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service P.O. Box 37127 Washington, DC 20013-7127 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed you will find the nomination forms for the following properties: Leominster, F. A. Whitney Carriage Company Complex Historic District; off 124 Water Street; HPCA #10369MA Medford, Joseph K.

Manning House; 35-37 Forest Street Palmer, Union Station; Depot Street Peabody, Moore-Hill House; 82 Franklin Street Worcester, Holy Name of Jesus Complex; Illinois Street; HPCA #10814MA (schoo1) HPCA #11040MA (convent) They 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 consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. No comments have been received to date. Sincerely, piluy Fredherg Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission BF /es Enclosure MAY | 3 1988 Massachusetts Historical Commission, Valerie A. Talmage, Executive Director, State Historic Preservation Officer 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470 Office of the Secretary of State, Michael J. Connolly, Secretary