Nomination for Union Station

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 8-86) 0143 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form JAN 3 0 1989* NATIONAL REGISTER This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, . and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1.

Name of Property historic name Union Station other names/site number Concord Junction Depot 2. Location street & number city, town state Massachusetts 20 Commonwealth Avenue Concord code 025 county Middlesex N/A not for publication N/A vicinity code 017 zip code 01742 3. Classification Ownership of Property private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property X building(s) district site structure object Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing 1 buildings sites structures objects 0 Total Name of related multiple property listing: N/A Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 4.

State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 1 hereby certify that this Xnomination Jrequest for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National RegisterofHistoricPlaces and meets theprocedural and professional requirementsset forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property X meets does not meet the National Register criteria. [ See continuation sheet. Veeue lalmag 1/23|89 Signature of certifying official Date Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau State Historic Preservation Officer In my opinion, the property L 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 1, hereby, certify that this property is: 1entered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register. L See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. AeloBya Entered in the 2etional Regiater 3/2/89 removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) Signature of the Keeper Date of Action 6. Function or Use Union Station, Concord, Massachusetts Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Iransportation/rail-related Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Vacant/not in use 7. Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) Queen Anne Materials (enter categories from instructions) foundation walls Granite Asphalt Weatherboard STate roof _ other Describe present and historic physical appearance.

Union Station stands on a level lot approximately 100 feet north of Commonwealth Avenue in West Concord at the former junction of the Fitchburg and 0ld Colony Railroad lines. The commercial area in which it is located consists of a mixture of late 20th-century, one-story commercial buildings, parking lots, and a few modest one, two and three-story wood-frame butldings dating from the late 19th century. Erected in 1893, the depot is the visual focal point of West Concord, and a notable example of a Queen Anne-style railroad station. The depot is a one-story, L-shaped, wood-frame building sheltered by a broad, slate hipped roof.It stands at the northeast corner of its L-shaped lot, with its eaves extending over the railroad platform, with tracks to the north; a small park is adjacent to the east.

The station consisted originally of three unconnected sections, the waiting room (26' x 30' ,northeast), baggage room (15' x 17' , southeast), and freight office (15' x 20', northwest), all contained beneath the broad eaves of a single hipped roof. The freight office and the portion of the roof extending over it were demolished between 1933 and 1950, and the 8' gap between the passenger station and the baggage room was enclosed by temporary partitions in 1982. The building, rises from an uncoursed rubble and cement foundation (not visible). Originally sheathed with wainscotting to the windowsills and clapboard above, these materials have been covered by brick face asphalt siding. A description of the new building in the Boston Daily Globe, January 22, 1984, indicates that the wainscot was painted dark red, the clapboards were chrome yellow, and the trimmings were bronze green.

The waiting room portion of the depot is a rectangular building with a round bay at the northeast corner. The north and east elevations are, essentially unaltered, while the less prominent west and south elevations have been partially obscured by 20th-century additions. The north elevations possesses an off-center entry, with two windows to the west, and one to the east; the circular bay contains five narrow windows. Above the entry is an eyelid dormer containing a rectangular window with twenty-eight lights. The window [X See continuation sheet NPS Form 10-900-e (8-85) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number. Page - 1 OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Union Station Concord, Massachusetts is flanked by carved wooden panels.

The east elevation is similar, having an entry flanked by two windows, and an identical dormer above. Fenestration consists of 1/1 sash bordered on the vertical sides by square and rectangular lights; all windows and doors have lead stained glass transoms. The three original doors (waiting room, north and east; baggage room, east) are ash with plate glass panels. Windows and doors are set in molded surrounds and cornerblocks. The south elevation of the waiting room is partially obscured by the addition of temporary partitions (1982) connecting it to the baggage room, and by the addition of a small vestibule near the west end (ca. 1982). The west elevation has had two shed-roofed additions (ca. 1964 and 1982), which extend across much of the elevation. The baggage room stands to the south of the waiting room, and is now connected to it, obscuring its north elevation.

The east elevation contains an entry identical to those in waiting room, while south and west elevations contain single window each. One of Union Station's dominant features is its L-shaped slate hipped roof. The eaves project nine feet, and are supported by bevelled posts and diagonal braces with jig-saw designs. The roof retains its decorative copper ridge flashing, hip knobs and ridge finials, as well as bronze snow guards.

The interior of the waiting room consisted originally of a ticket office in the circular bay (northeast), lavatories (southwest), and a waiting area, which included at one end "a reception room for the use of women." According to the 1984 Globe article: The seats in the waiting room, 42 in number, have perforated seats with ornamental arms, and are place against the sides of the room....The General finish of the rooms is in cypress, the wainscot 6 feet high, with an ornamental top. The ticket office is finished entirely with this wood....The ceiling is plastered, and is painted a warm orange with the walls a darker shade of the same color. The baggage room retains most of its interior finish, including an oak floor and tongue-and-grove wall sheathing.

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 Approvel No. 1024-0018 Union Station Concord, Massachusetts Archaeological Description At least one prehistoric site, the Concord Junction Site (19-MD-469,) may exist on the railroad station property. In addition, at least sixteen known prehistoric sites have been recorded in the general area (within one mile). Given the railroad station's close proximity to the Assabet River and its associated resources, the area would have been attractive for Native American settlement and subsistence. In general, however, the potential for either prehistoric or pre- to late-19th century railroad associated remains seems 1ow as a result of small parcel size (1/2 acre) and extensive disturbance to the property by the railroad.

Archaeological resources may exist related to station construction (1893) and its subsequent use (trash areas). 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Union Station, Concord, Massachusetts Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: nationally statewide LX locally Applicable National Register Criteria XA B C Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Transportation Architecture E IG Period of Significance 1893-1938 Significant Dates 1893 Cultural Affiliation N/A Significant Person N/A Architect/Builder Unknown State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. Union Station retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, feelings, workmanship, and association, and meets Criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places on the local level.

Built in 1893 at the junction of the Fitchburg Railroad and the Lowell and Framingham branch of the New Haven Railroad's Old Colony system, the depot is significant for its role in transportation history in the area. The present Union Stationis the only remaining building associated with the railroad in West Concord still intact and located on its original site. Linking an agricultural area to a national transportation network, the existence of the station and junction led to changes in local agriculture as well as the industrialization and general growth of West Concord. a notable and largely intact example of a Queen Anne style railroad station. The section of Concord which came to be known as West Concord was once comprised of three distinct villages, Warnerville (Concord Junction), Westvale (Damonda le), and Prison Village.

Prior to the late 19th century the area was primarily agricultural with scattered houses, farms, and a few mills. Several farms in this vicinity, including one directly across the tracks from Union Station, remained until the mid-20th century. The Fitchburg railroad was built through West Concord in 1844, and had one stop near the Damon mill. The arrival of the railroad brought a change in the nature of the area's agriculture from grain to market gardening. Perishable items like vegetables, fruit, and dairy products, as contrasted with staples like grain, could now be sent expeditiously to Boston. Milk became an important commodity by 1850. In 188, asparagus had become so important that a special car was left daily by the Fitchburg Railroad to be attached to its 7:00 train to Boston.

The construction of the Framingham-Lowell line in 1872 formed the "junction" and precipitated the development and industrialization of West Concord. An earlier depot had existed to the west in the Westvale area of West Concord, and a small station stood on the site of the nominated sud cortindatidr?sheer. 1871. A freight house, engine house and turntable afT existed to the north of 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Union Station, Concord, Massachusetts Goodwin, Doris Kearns. The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys. Simon & Shuster, NY, 1987. Richardson, Laurence E. Concord Chronicle 1895-1899. Concord, MA, 1967. The Boston Globe. January 22,1894. The Concord Enterprise. January 18 and 25, 1894. Committee Report, West Concord Center Study. Interstate Commerce Commission, Division of Valuation, April 16, 1916. Long Range Planning Report. Concord, MA, 1987. Previous documentation on file (NPS): preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested previously listed in the National Register previously determined eligibleby 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-Less than one acre.

UTM References A |9] 303 120 Zone Easting 4703040 Northing See continuation sheet Primary location of additional data: [* State historic preservation office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Specify repository: B D Zone Easting Northing See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description The nominated propertyoccupiestown lot 2200-1, and contains approximately 10,070 square feet. See continuation sheet Boundary Justification The boundary includes the town lot presently associated with the station. See continuation sheet 11. Form Prepared By namertitle_ Kim Withers Brengle, Susan Dean, Barbara Ramsey, Betsy Friedberg-Nat'1 Reg. Director organization_Massachusetts Historical Commission _ date August 10.

1988 street & number 80 Boylston Street telephone_(617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state MA zip code 02116 NPS Form 10-000-e (8-06) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number- Page 1 OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Union Station Concord, Massachusetts the depot, across the Fitchburg tracks, by 1874. The subsequent growth of the Concord Junction led to the need for "a suitable train station" and the present station replaced the earlier building in 1893. The 1870s freight house was replaced or enlarged (84'x24') by 1914, and was demolished in 1970; the engine house was gone by 1937. The 1o/us turntable appears to have been lost by 1889, and replaced by a 60' turntable; its date of demolition is unknown. One or more freight storage sheds were located to the north of the station along the railroad line.

A wood-frame freight storage shed, now sided and roofed with tin, was built ca. 1897-1898 and expanded by the addition of a second story ca. 1905-1906. This survives,but has been altered and is not part of the nominated property. Union Station was located at a key junction of east-west trains between Boston, Chicago, and St. Louis, making it an active center of freight The Fitchburg, the Framingham & Lowell, and the small Nashua, Acton and Boston lines all joined at the depot. The Boston & Lowell/Middlesex Central tracks passed nearly to the north of the Massachusetts Reformatory to link with the Framingham & Lowell line 1 1/2 miles northwest of Concord Junction. An industrial village grew in West Concord because of the proximity to transportation.

Among the factories built along the, tracks nearby were the Bluine Co., (erected 1897-1898), and the Allen Chair Factory (1906), built with loading platforms adjacent to the tracks, as well as a foundry, garnett mills, and an elastic webbing manufacturer. An August, 1894 edition of the Concord Enterprise stated, "A large amount of freight business was done in West Concord, an average of 4000 cars being received and delivered during the month." At the end of the 19th century, 125 trains per day passed through the junction. Freight activities at Concord Junction continued well into the mid-20th century. Service was heaviest on the Fitchburg line, declining gradually in the 20th century as the use of trucks to move freight increased. Freight activity on all the railroads again increased for several years during World War Il, declining again after the war.

In addition to its role as a freight station, Union Station was actively used for passenger travel. Areas like West Concord, remote from the large cities of Boston and New York, became accessible by trains to immigrants arriving to OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-000e (8-85) United States Department of the Interior National ParkService National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ Page - Union Station Concord, Massachusetts work on the railroad and in the mills. Congressman John (Honey Fitz) Fitzgerald lived on Main Street in West Concord from 1897-1903, and travelled regularly to WAshington by train from the Concord Junction station. Passenger service and ridership followed a somewhat different course than freight activity.

The peak period for passenger service was from 1894 to 1910, with a subsequent steady decline that was caused by several factors--the advent of World War I, internal economic and legal problems of the railroad companies that led to cutbacksand deteriorating equipment,and competition from both the automobile and streetcar lines. A streetcar line ran through West Concord on its way from Boston to Hudson beginning in 1901, and had an increasingly major effect on ridership on the railroads. In 1910, "turnarounds" of passenger trains at Concord Junction ended, ridership on the shorter runs having been severely affected by the streetcar line. Wartime led to more cutbacks in service, and by 1924 competition from the automobile was so great that the streetcar line went out of business, and service on one Concord Junction railroad line, the Nashua, Action and Boston, ended for good.

Passenger service ended on the Old Colony line in 1959. In 1975, the Fitchburg line was reorganized under MBTA management, leading to an upgrading of service and equipment. Concord Junction is again a stop on an active railroad line with thirty-two daily passenger trains. The depot has been used as a restaurant in recent years, but is currently vacant, with plans underway for its purchaseby the Town of Concord and eventual restoration. Union Station possesses architectural significance as a well-detailed, largely intact example of a Queen Anne style railroad station. Its physical separation of functionally distinct areas (waiting room, baggage room and freight office) into separate buildings sharing a common roof is noteworthy.

Characteristic features of the depot's style and use are its assymetrical plan, the slate hipped roof with deep, bracketed eaves and its eyelid The circular bay facing the junction served a decorative purpose, but also afforded the station master a clear view of trains on both lines. Other notable architectural details include the leaded stained glass transoms and molded surrounds with cornerblocks at all doors and windows, and decorative copper ridge flashing, hip knobs and ridge finials at the roof. The depot is the only intact railroad-related building surviving in West Concord, other buildings in the immediate area also date from the late-19th and early 20th centuries, they are more modest, vernacular residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Other architecturally significant buildings in the area include the Mission-style Harvey Wheeler School on Main Street, the Victorian Gothic Roman Catholic Church, and the Queen Anne style Union Church. NPS Form 10-900# (8-85) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 Page. 3 OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Union Station Concord, Massachusetts Archaeological Significance Potentially significant archaeological survivals may exist if materials or outbuildings related to the stations early use or construction could be located. These materials could contribute information regarding railroad construction techniques during the period, types of equipment used during depot operation and the people who worked in or used the facility.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY NAME: Union Station MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNIY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: 1/30/89 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 3/02/89 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 89000143 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: DATE OF PENDING LIST: 2/14/89 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 3/16/89 APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N !

LESS THAN 50 YEARS: OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: COMMENT WAIVER: N LACCEPT RETURN REJECT 3/2/89 0ATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: N Intered in the Mational Rogister RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N CLASSIFICATION count -resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION FUNCTION historic current DESCRIPTION architectural classification materials descriptive text SIGNIFICANCE Period Areas of Significance--Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) 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 BIBLIOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHICAL DATA acreage UTMS verbal boundary description boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION _sketch maps OTHER COMMENTS USGS maps photographs Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone presentation Signed Date Union Station 20 Common wealth Ave,.

Cancard, MA Photographer- Barbara Ramsey Dare: 1987 Location of negative: Barbara Ramsey 82 Ridgewood Rd Concord, MA 01742 Photograph#1 of 3 View facing northwest, showing south and east e levations. Union Station 137 20 Commanwealth Ave Concord, MA Photographer Barbara Ramsey Date: 1987 Negatives : Barbara Ramsey 82 Ridgewood'Rd Concord, MA 01742 Photograph#2 of3 View of north andeast elevations facing southwest. Union Station 20 Commonwealth Ave. Concord, MA Photographer: Barbara Ramsey Date: (987 Location of negatives: Barbara Ramsey 82 Ridgewood Rd Photograohh #3 d3 Concord, MA 01742 View of west and south elevations facing east