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89002285 OMB No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form 0 # 1999 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 orby 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 ail entries. 1. Name of Property historic name F. A.
Kennedy Steam Bakery other names/site number Kennedy Steam Cracker Bakery/ Kennedy Biscuit Factory 2. Location street & number 129 Franklin Street city, town Cambridge (Cambridgeport) state MA code 025 N/A not for publication N/A vicinity county Middlesex zip code 02139 3. Classification Ownership of Property X private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property X building(s) district site Structure object Name of related multiple property listing: Numberof Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing 1 0 buildings sites structures objects 0 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 LX 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 property X meets does not meet the National Register criteria. L See continuation sheet. Laxmaes Signature of certifying official 4|28|59 Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Date Commission; State Historic Preservation 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: /entered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register. L See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. Aebmßgun Latered the Metlopel Begistep 4/9U removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) Date of Action F.A. Kennedy Steam Bakery, Cambridge MA 02139 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Industry/Manufacturing Facility-Bakery Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Industry/Manufacturing Facility-Shoe Manufacturing (1952-1986) Vacant/Not in use Work in Progress 7.
Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) No Style Materials (enter categories from instructions) foundation_ Concrete, Fieldstone walls Brick roof_Tar and Gravel, Ashphalt other Describe present and historic physical appearance. The Kennedy Steam Cracker Bakery is a large, red brick industial complex that evol ved over a sixty year period from 1875 to 1937 to meet expanding operational needs. It is located in Cambridgeport, one block south of the major intersections formed by Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street; and a short distance east of Central Square. Specifically it occupies the block bounded by Green Street(N), Sidney Street(E), Frankin Street(S), and Brookline Street (W).
The level rectangular parcel of land is largerly taken up by the building complex except at the east where an attached bullding belonging to the Simplex Wire and Cable Company was demolished in the 1960's; this area is now planted with grass. Much smaller paved parking/loading dock areas are found on the south (Franklin Street) and west (Brookline Street) ends of the building (see assessors map and diagram). Historically, this area developed with mixed residential, commercial, institutional and industrial uses. Much of this growth occurred during the second half of the 19th century, following the 1853 introduction of the Grand Junction Railroad and the subsequent filling of tidal marshes associated with the Charles River.
The combination of newly created vacant land and improved transportation attracted many industies to the area including sheet metal, soap manufacturing, printing and confectioneries. Most of the buildings associated with these industries were demolished in the 1960s in a private renewal effort. A notable exception is the NECCO plant located a few blocks to the east (see 1916 land use plan). Today, the building occupies the northwest corner of a 27-acre development site known as University Park. Much of the land to the south and some to the east is presently vacant but will soon be developed for offices, research and development facililties, a hotel, public parks, and residential housing.
The Massachusetts Institutelof Technology borders the University Park site on the east, while Memorial Drrive and the Charles River Basin Historic District (NR:12/22/78) are the dominant features to the south. Directly west of the bakery site is a predominantly residential neighborhood. Massachusetts Avenue is one block north of the bakery site. X See continuation sheet Approvel Mc. 10260018 100000 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number. 7 Page - 1 F. A. Kennedy Steam Bakery Cambridee, MA industrial complex that exists today. It remains basically intact with the exception of three minor sections that have been demolished.
These include a landing/washroom area (map E; 1890) and a wagon shed (map H; 1902) both of which had been substantially remodeled as loading or temporary storage functions (map M). Reflective of its evolutionary history, the resulting U-plan building is irregular in form and detail, but is unified by several factors. Chief among these is the consistent use of red brick bearing walls and heavy timber construction. All of the major building sections also rise four stories from high basement to flat tar and gravel roofs, thus achieving a consistent height. Another unifying feature is provided by the segmental arched window openings with granite sills and multi-pane sash which characterize the seven dominant 19th century sections. other features of note include the brick pilasters that articulate sections A and F, and a wealth of painted signs from various periods.
Specific details are described below by building section in chronological order. Please refer to the attached diagram for information on how the components interrelate. The letter that precedes each description refers to the diagram. A. The original building, dating from 1875 and now encased in later additions, is visible as the center portion of the Green Steet (N) elevation. It is a four story plus basement structure whose eight window bays are divided by wide brick pilasters. In addition to the pilasters, the building is articulated by a handsome sawtooth corbeled cornice derived from the contemporary Panel Brick style. Windows are framed by stilted segmental brick arches and rough faced granite sills. First story windows contain 9/9 double hung sash; basement and second story windows are bricked in; third and fourth story windows contain 6/6 double hung sash.
A feature of special interest is the faded but still clear painted sign at the upper stories which reads: F A KENNEDY STEAM BAKERY COMPANY. Sometime before the 1891 construction of section F, two additional bays were added to the east end. They are differentiated from the rest of the facade by their lack of cornice, exclusion from the sign and the larger 9/9 size of the fourth story windows (photo #4; ca. 1875 (continued) Cete nosronel Ma. 107-0010 tom 108000 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page 2 . A. Kennedy Steam Baker Cambridge, M pilasters and cornice.
The upper three stories of the eight bay east elevation appear to have remained visible throughout their history; the lower stories which feature later rectangular window openings and several entries have recently been exposed by the demolition of the Franklin Street loading dock which they face (photo #1). C, D. These two sections housed additional ovens to increase the company's baking capacity; they were added to the west flank of section A and B ca. 1890. They maintain the established feature of segmental arched window openings with granite sills and 6/6 sash. The full four story plus basement height and two bay width of section C remains exposed on the Green Street (N) elevation. A third bay, rising an extra story to form a tower appears to have been added to the west ca.
1937 along with sections L; a painted sign reading NATIONAL BISCUIT COMPANY accompanied by a logo remains on the upper portion of the west elevation (photo #3). Sections C and D are indistinguishable on the Brookline Street (W) elevation where the upper three stories are visible above the one story height of sections I and L. This long seventeen bay elevation is broken up by a series of five setbacks. The fenestration pattern is irregular, and in some cases, most notably the second and third bays from the south, the window opening have been bricked-in. Star-shaped tie rod heads remain visible. Another painted sign reading "KENNEDY BISCUIT WORKS" remains visible above the three southernmost bays (photos #2,3,4). E. A one story wood-frame landing and washroom was added to the east side oi section B ca. 1890 as well.
It was substantially rebuilt however, and most recently appeared as a brick-faced, one story loading bay with four overhead vehicular doors and one pedestrian entrance. Due to its strategic postion and lack of significance, it was demolished in May 1989 and now forms a courtyard with access onto Franklin Street (photo #1). F. Referred to as a manufactory, this section extended the original building to the east in 1891 and remains as the largest single bullding addition. An August 22, 1891 article in the Cambridge Tribune stated that Albert Hopkins provided plans and carpentry work, and that Marshall Stearns was the mason. The article also indicated that it contained eight ovens, and that it had been (continued) - United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 10260010 F. A.
Kennedy Steam Bakery Cambridge, MA Section number _1 Page out inte bsge berocke cokelotins dbtoasendeta le basines ew along the east wall. With exposed elevations on the north and south, section F is characterized by brick pilasters articulating triple window bays, and segmental arched window openings containing 9/9 or 6/6 sash; it thus makes references to some of the features of the original building. The full four story plus basement height and twenty-one bay width remains exposed on the Green Street (N) elevation. Basement story windows are bricked in; first, second and third story windows generally contain 9/9 sash although some are bricked in and in most cases the sash is in deteriorated condition. A parapet of slightly different brick than the rest of the elevation appears to have been added above the pilaster tops (photo #5).
The three upper stories have always remained exposed on the twenty bay Franklin Street elevation (S); first story windows have recently been exposed by demolition of section E. The regularity of the triple bays framed by pilasters is intèrrupted near the center of the elevation where the wall is stepped out and continues up an extra story to form a tower. All of the visible windows contain 9/9 sash (photo #1). G. This small addition that was extended south from the southeast corner of section F in 1899 originally functioned as an ice house. It consists of two brick faced upper stories rising from a cast faced basement story. The three bay Franklin Street (S) elevation is characterized by an irregular fenestration pattern, windows with cast stone lintels and sills and 1/1 sash, a corbeled cornice, and a stepped parapet with metal coping.
The most prominent of this elevation is a three sided metal oriel centered on the upper story and looking oddly out of place on an industrial building. A pedestrian entrance occupies the west bay of the basement The other exposed portion is the west elevation which faces over the Franklin Street loading dock area. It continues the irregular fenestration pattern and window details of the south elevation. The only notable feature is another painted sign at the southern end reading "UNEEDA BISCUIT "above a finger bearing the word "OFFICE" which points down to the door on the street elevation (photo #1). H. Located at the southwest corner of the complex, this was a minor one story ell of wood and corrugated iron that was built as a wagon (continued) OMe Approvel No.
1024-0018 (es Fom 10.0000 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page. F. A. Kennedy Steam Bakery Cambridge, MA shed in 1902. It was subsequently altered/rebuilt to function as another loading bay on Brookline Street, and has recently been demolished (photo #2)- I. A boiler house was added to the east flank of section E in 1905. It is a small one story structure from which the tapered, smokestack rises to a height almost twice that of the building. cr crico thtr or h ou g four-sided The south elevation is headed by a stepped parapet that collides disconcertingly into section D; a loading door has recently been revealed by the demolition of section H. Iwo large square windows with metal multi-pane sash are found on the west elevation (photo #2). J.
This long narrow section which extends the entire length of the east elevation, once again expanded the bakery operations with additional oven capacity in 1927. It is a four story plus basement structure whose four bay north and south elevations are trimmed with cast stone lintels and sills, and a buff brick cornice band. These elevations are identical with single windows occupying the remaining three bays. All of the windows contain 6/6 sash and, at the first story, are headed by six pane or boarded transoms. At the basement story, entries are located in the western bays, while bricked-in windows occupy the remaining bays (photos #1 and #5). The long east elevation served until recently as a party wall with an adjoining structure.
It is almost entirely blank except for one of the center bays which contains large paired windows with multi-pane metal sash at the three upper stories, and a pedestrian entry approached by a handicap ramp at the first story (photo #6). K. This is a narrow, five story section that was added to the Franklin Street (S) end of sections B and D in 1931, and may have only consisted of a facade alteration. The brick is of a different color and the pointing is noticeably crisper. It is thirteen bays long with segmental arched window openings containing the vertical pane sash that was popular in the early 20th century. Window size varies from story to story. First and second story windows are moderate sized and contain 3/3 sash; third story windows are smaller and contain three panes each; fourth and fifth story windows are the largest and contain 3/3 sash (photo #1). L.
This final section was added to the northwest corner of the building in 1937 for additional bakery and storage space. It is a utilitarian one story structure with sawtooth clerestory to admit the western light. Overhead garage doors are located on the south (continued) OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 MPS Form 10-000 8-80 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - - Page - 5 F. A. Kennedy - Steam Bakery Cambridge, MA elevation that faces the Brookline Street loading/parking area. Five windows containing 4/4 vertical pane sash with textured glass are found on both the Brookline Street (W) and Green Street (N) elevations. While no prehistoric sites are currently on the property, it is possible that sites are present.
Iwo known prehistoric sites are recorded in close proximity (within one mile) to the property. In general, however, the potential for significant archaeological cemains, elther prehistoric or historlc, 1s low because of factory construction and extensive development in the general area. (end) F.A. Kennedy Steam Bakery, Cambridge MA 8.' Statement of Significance