Nomination for Rockland Trust Company

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 8-86) 2/8 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form FEB 2 1 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 Rockland Trust Company othernames/site number 2. Location street & number city, town state 288 Union Street Rockland Mass. code 025 county Plymouth code pot forpublication Naicinity 023 zip code 02370 3.

Classification Ownership of Property *private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property building(s) district site structure object Name ne of related muitiple property listing: Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing buildings sites structures objects 0 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the NationalHistoric Preservation Act of1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this X nomination Jrequest for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the NationalRegister ofHistoric Placesand meets theprocedural and professional requirementsset forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property_X meetsdoes not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet.

valeue A demase 2/8/89 Signature of certifying official Date Executive Director of Mass. Historical Commission, State Historic Pres. Officer State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property 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 I, hereby, certify that this property is: Ventered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. Bethof Saase 4-7-89 removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) J signature of the Keeper Date of Action 6.

Function or Use Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Commerce: Trade: Financial Institution: Bank Rockland Trust Co any, Rockland, MA Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Commerce: Trade Financial Institution: Bank 7. Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) Later 19th & earlier 20th Century Revivals Georgian Revival Materials (enter categories from instructions) foundation_ walls - roof - other Brick Brick; Cast Stone Tar; Stone Describe present and historic physical appearance. The Rockland Trust Company stands on the southwest corner of Union Street, Rockland's major commercial thoroughfare, and Taunton Avenue.

The stretch of Union Street that constitutes the town's commercial center (between Water Street and North Street) is a scattered collection of commercial buildings, many of which are converted nineteenth century residential buildings or mid-twentieth century construction. Although there are other historic properties in the immediate vicinity, a cohesive district does not survive. The secondary streets surrounding the commercial center are residential in character, comprised primarily oflate-nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings of moderate style. The Trust Company is rectangular in plan and occupies only a small portion of its irregularly shaped lot. The existing structure is the result of several phases of construction, the first being the original two-story main block in 1917.

A small one-story wing had been added to the west elevation prior to 1923 In 1923, the west elevation addition was raised to two-stories and a one-story addition was constructed at the south elevation. In 1947, a second story was added to the south wing and a two-story addition was built on the west end of the building. In 1974 a three-story addition was constructed at the rear of the building. The original building is constructed of red brick (laid in Flemish bond) trimmed with cast stone elements and rises to a flat roof framed by a brick parapet with cast stone coping. : The facade (east elevation) possesses the bank's main entry, which consists of fourteen-panel pocket doors designed to secure the intenior when the bank is not open fon transactions and a large two-pane transom recessed within a cast stone enframement with consoles and a dentilled entablature.

Above the entry an arched window opening formed by radiating bricks and decorated with a scrolled keystone contains a four-part window. All fenestration at the facade is set within massive fluted columns and wide pilasters supporting a full entablature. Above the entablature, a brick parapet contains a granite balustrade. The north and south elevations of the original building are identical, each is symmetrically composed and is part of three two-story arched window openings which are formed by radiating bricks and possess simple granite imposts and scrolled keystones. Above the windows a cast stone belt course and dentilled cornice extend across the building. [x See continuation sheet NPS Form 10-9004 (8-83) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page _1 OMB Approvei No.

10240018 Rockland Trust Company Rockland, MA possess detail which is similar to that of the original structure. The south addition possesses a moulded stone cornice beneath a brick parapet. The 1974 addition is contemporary in design, with fenestration emphasizing verticality. The addition possesses few ornamental details. Continued NP9 Form 10-900# (8-/25) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section numberz Page - 2 OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Rockland Trust Company Rockland, MA Archeological Statement No prehistoric sites are currently recorded on the property oar in the town of Rockland. The lack of sites likely results from underreporting, more sites probably exist.

In general, however, the potential for prehistoric or historic sites seems low as a result of the size of the parcel, Trust Company construction and the location of the parcel within the major commercial thoroughfare of town. Rockland Trust Company Rockland, MA 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: nationally statewide x locally Applicable National Register Criteria xA Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Arcitecture Commerce Economics -G Period of Significance 1917-1923 Significant Dates 1917 1923 Cultural Affiliation N/A Significant Person Architect/Builder Thomas E. James & Co., Boston MA State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. The Rockland Trust Company possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and association with the development of Rockland as independent from the town of Abington.

In addition to being a stronghold of the community for over seventy years the building remains a major architectural monument on Rockland's major thoroughfare. The Rockland Trust Company is of local significance and meets Criteria A and C for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Rockland is a town occupying about ten square miles, located approximately twenty miles southeast of Boston. Prior to 1874, Rockland formed the east Ward of the town of Abington and was known as East Abington. Settled in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, the area was attractive for its rich woodlands and developed a lumber industry early in its history. The shoe manufacturing industry first appeared in Rockland in the late eighteenth century and became the focus of the community's economy by the mid-nineteenth century.

Rockland was incorporated in 1874 as the result of a dispute over the construction of an expensive school building in Abington Center in 1871 and the belief that East Abington could develop into a more successful industrial community if separated from Abington.The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw the continued dominance of the shoe industry with fewer, but larger, manufacturers and an increase in related industries such as the Thompson Shoe Shine Factory and S. E. Packard & Sons paper box factory. Rockland's most prosperous period included the years leading up to and including World War I. The subsequent years of the Great Depression resulted in the decline of the local shoe industry. The Rockland Trust Company was established on September 30, 1907, succeeding the First National Bank of Rockland.

At the outset the Company had a capital surplus of $120,000 and deposits of less than $250,000. Organized to "promote the business activity and growth of Rockland" , thenew bank was headed by James W. Spence, & Company (shoemaker) and its vice-president Alfred Donovan, president of shoe manufacturers E. T. Wright & Company. For the first ten years of its existence, the bank's offices were located across Union Street at thecornerofChurcStreetintheoldRocklandSavingsBaRKNhThe 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Hurd, D. Hamilton. History of Plymouth County, Massachusetts. (Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co.), 1884. Rockland Standard, May 11, 1917. Rockland Standard, December 17, 1917. Rockland Standard, October 26, 1923. Rockland Standard, Research Reporter, Martha G. Campbell, February 12, 1969. Rockland Trust Company Aechives. Previous documentation on file (NPS): Lpreliminary 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 Over 1.5 Acres UTM References USGS Quad: Weymouth, MA 1:25,000 Scale A 1 9 1314,116,2,0 Zone Easting 14,616,614,5,5 B Northing CL Zone D See continuation sheet Primary location of additional data: X State historic preservation office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Specify repository: Mass. Historical Commission Easting Northing See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description Beginning at the southwest corner of Union Street and Taunton Ave., running west 479 feet, then south approximately 160 feet, then east approximately 240 feet, then south approximately 100 feet, then east approximately 83 feet, then north approximately 120 feet, then west approximately 35 feet, then north approximately 103 feet, then east approximately 153 feet to Union Street, then north 64 feet to begining.

See continuation sheet Boundary Justification The boundary contains the present property of the Rockland Trust Company building. See continuation sheet 11. Form Prepared By name/title Christine Scott Beard, Pres. Consulaand with Betsy Friedberg, NR Director, MHC organization Mass. Historical Commission date _ street & number 80 Boylston St. .telephone 113148927-8470 Boston city or town state MA _zip code 02116 NPS Fom 10-000- (8-36) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number. Page OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 - Rockland Trust Company Rockland, MA Rockland Savings Bank Building was the largest building in Rockland at the time of its construction in 1891, with five full storefronts along Union Street and four more along Church Street.

At the principal corner of the building,, Union and Church Streets, stood a 3 1/2 story diagonal tower which contained the building's main entry. This entry was used by the First National Bank of Rockland, later the Rockland Trust Company, while the Rockland Savings Bank was at 5 Church Street. By 1917 the Rockland Trust Company had grown to show a capital surplus of $200,000 and had deposits of over $1,750,000. Because the Trust Company had grown so rapidly and greater growth was projected, they were compelled to construct a new bank building that would be fitting of a company that had experienced so much success in a decade. The Trust Company selected one of the most desirable properties in Rockland's business section for its new bullaing.

On March 3, 1916 The Rockland Standard reported "one of the biggest real estate transactions in Rockland in recent years"; the Trust Company had purchased the estate of David H. Blanchard, which included five acres of land on the west side of Union Street, south of Taunton Avenue. The property had 70' of frontage on Union Street and was 1,200' deep. A house stood on the property at the time it was purchased, which had been constructed in ca. 1815 by Reverend Samuel Colburn, pastor of the First Congregational Church. When the Trust Company was constructed the house was moved northerly to face Taunton Avenue. Thomas James & Company, to design the new bank, because he specialized in the design of banks. James was born and educated in the Boston area and received James practiced under the firm name Hill & James.

Among James' most important works are the National Bank at Springfield, Massachusetts, Phoenix National Bank in New York, National Bank of Commerce in New London, Connecticut, and the First National Bank at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Continued NP$ Form 10-900+ 8-65) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ Page . 2 - OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Rockland Trust Company Rockland, MA James elected to design the new bank in the Georgian Revival style, imparting an image of security to its patrons; this is one reason the style became popular for banking institutions in the early twentieth century. The Trust Company presents an imposing ediface with its massive columns and pllasters supporting a full entablature.

The structure is typical of Georgian Revival buildings in its use of red brick laid in Flemish bond. It retains all major o *netutng wile elements of its original design, including wide belt courses, dentilled cornices, balustrades, and large arched windows with pronounced keystones. Today the Trust Company is the largest bank in Rockland and has approximately 20 branches in surrounding towns.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Rockland Trust Company NAME: MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Plymouth DATE RECEIVED: 2/21/8 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 3/07/89 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 3/23/8 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 4/07/89 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 89000218 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N OTHER: PDIL: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: Y NATIONAL: SEA BAT: C PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N COMMENT WAIVER: N LACCEPT RETURN REJECT 4/7/89 DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: antery oplandante ia poutoi aoraerera.

RECOM, /CRIPERIA Aceept QVC REVIEWERO Bane B falgtuae Sttistony DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached conments YAsee attached SIRX 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 _USGS maps photographs presentation OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone Signed Date Rockland Trust Company Rockland, MA North Elevation Rockland Tast Co.

Rockland, MA North Elevation ROCKLAND TRUST COMPANY Rockland, Massachusetts PHOTOGRAPHER: Christine Scott Beard February, 1987 ACT for Massachusetts 45 School Street Boston, MA VIEW: Looking west at Rockland Trust Company (288 Union Street) Rockland Trust Co. Rockland, MA Photographer: Christine Scott Beard February, 1987 ACT for MAss 45 Schoo! St. Bestor, MA View: Looking west at Rockland Trust Co. 288 Union St. *COMMISSIOTA LACIDANS February 2, 1989 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 following nomination forms: The Rockland High School, Rockland, MA The Rockland Trust Company, Rockland, MA Lower Union Street, Historic District, Rockland, MA The Phoenix Building, Rockland, MA The Rockland Memorial Library, Rockland, MA The Pond Hill School, Wellfleet, MA All have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination forms. Sincerely, Betoy Frudbierg Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosure: BF /di 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