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NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service 498 MAY - Z 1997 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NAT RE NATIONAL PANK SERVCCE STORIC PLACES This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented,enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a).
Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name_Rockport High School other names/site number_N/A 2. Location street & number 4 Broadway N/A not for publication city or town Rockport _N/A vicinity state Massachusetts code_MA county_Essex _ code_009 _ zip code_01966 3. State/Federal Agency Certification Asthe designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this 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 meets - does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant J nationally - statewide X locally.
(- See continuation sheet for additional comments.) aditB. M.Danough Signature of certifying official/Title Judith B. McDonough, Executive Director 42397 Date Massachusetts Historical Commission, State Historic Preservation Officer State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property -meets - does not meet the National Register criteria. (O See continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby certify that this property is: Mentered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined not eligible for the National Register - removed from the National Register - other (explain): Ten , Ball Date of Action, 5/30/97 Rockport High School Name of Property 5.
Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) X private - public-local _ public-State _ public-Federal Essex County, MA County and State Category of Property (Check only one box) X building(s) - district _site _ structure _object Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing 1 Noncontributing 0 Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) N/A 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) EDUCATION: school buildings sites _structures objects Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register N/A Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) VACANT/NOT IN USE 7.
Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) LATE 19TH & 20TH CENTURY REVIVALS: Colonial Revival Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundation BRICK wallsBRICK roof SYNTHETICS: Rubber other_STONE: Granite Trim Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Rockport High School Rockport (Essex County) Massachusetts Section number - 7 Page - 1 7. DESCRIPTION The Rockport High School is a two-story brick building designed in the Colonial Revival style. The building sits on a 34,907 square foot lot which is flanked by a small park to the east and the public library to the west.
There is no formal landscaping around the Rockport High School building; rather, at the front there are two very large trees along with a few shrubs set on patches of lawn flanking a central walkway. Much of the remainder of the site is paved for vehicle parking and access. The school is located on a major thoroughfare, adjacent to Rockport's central commercial district. The setting remains much as it was when the school was constructed in 1925, with open space to the east and a grassy hill rising eastward to the library beyond the parking area. On the opposite side of Broadway are two and three-story residential buildings (a number converted to commercial use) and small shops line the streets of the commercial district to the east and north. Set on a raised basement, the school's plan is that of an inverted T, with the main block containing offices, classrooms, cafeteria, etc.
and the ell containing the auditorium. The building is enclosed by a flat roof framed by a low brick parapet with concrete coping. Brickwork is trimmed with granite sills and a granite belt course above the basement. In addition, there is a broad wood cornice along the roofline. Most window openings contain modern aluminum sash but original wood double-hung sash remain at the basement (3/3, 4/4 & 6/6) and at the rear of the building lighting the two staircases and auditorium (15/15 sash). Windows are both paired (at facade) and single. The main entry is centered on the facade (south elevation). It is set on a shallow pavilion which is five bays in width. Bays of the pavilion are separated by narrow brick piers that rise to stylized wood capitals.
The facade would be symmetrical except for the insertion of two very narrow bathroom windows (1/1) between the two piers just west of the main entry. The main entry contains modern aluminum double doors but retains its sidelights, transom, and wood entablature with dentils. The original granite stoop with modern iron railings leads to the entry. Flanking the pavilion are two flush brick panels covering both stories which are decorated with orange header bricks set in a diaper pattern. Side elevations are identical and symmetrically composed; each consists of 10 bays. Each bay has one window at each floor. The rear (north) elevation of the main block has less in the way of fenestration. In addition to the two large end windows lighting the stairwells, there are seven windows near the center of the second story above the auditorium block.
The one and one-half story auditorium ell has three large windows on each side and a single entry centered on its rear (north) elevation. Two additional secondary entries provide access to each of the stairwells, located at the two corners where the ell meets the main block. These entries contain modern metal double doors. (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Rockport High School Rockport (Essex County) Massachusetts Section number . 7 Page - 2 Although it has been used as offices for a number of years, the interior retains many original features and the layout has been altered little. Rooms open off U-shaped double-loaded corridors which terminate at the stairwell;. the two stairwells flank the auditorium ell.
A few of the former rooms at the first floor have been divided into smaller offices but it appears that most of these were originally administrative offices for the school; classrooms throughout the building remain largely intact. Most of the original finishes remain, including baseboards, crown moldings, chair rails, and door and window surrounds. Most features retain the original stain and varnish treatment. Archaeological Description Although no prehistoric sites are recorded on the school property or in the general area (within one mile), sites may be present. The physical characteristics of the parcel indicate locational criteria which are favorable for many types of prehistoric sites and subsistence activities. The property is generally level, well drained and located in close proximity to a marine related ecosystem, in this instance Rockport Harbor and Back Harbor.
Numerous species of floral and found resources would have been available for exploitation by Native American occupants in the area. Contact Period sightings of Native peoples were also made in the Cape Ann locale by early European explorers, especially Samuel De Champlain who made several sightings of Native people in the area in 1604. In general, however, the potential for significant archaeological survivals both prehistoric and historic is low. Any prehistoric resources which may have been present on the property were likely impacted by school construction in 1925 which covers most of the lot. Given the above information, the small size of the property (less than 1 acre) and the lack of known historic landuse prior to 1925, the potential for significant archaeological recoveries is low. (end) Rockport High School Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance