National Register of Historic Places

Front Street Block

Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts
Listed
May 7, 1974
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
74000369

About this property

The Front Street Block is a series of four connected commercial blocks in the West End of Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA. They were built in 1831 after a fire had devastated Gloucester's downtown the previous year. 69–71 Main Street, a three-story four wide block with Federalist styling, was built for Aaron Day. A hat maker operated on the ground floor, and apartments were above. 65–67 Main Street, a three-story four wide block with Federalist styling, was built for Samuel Bulkley. A "tin manufactory" operated on the ground floor, and there were apartments above. This building shared a wall with 69–71. 61–63 Main Street, also three stories and four wide, was built for William Babson, Jr., and had a shop on the ground floor with apartments above. In 1890 this building was renovated, giving it a new Victorian facade, and an enlarging addition to the rear. 55–59 Main Street is distinct from the other three buildings in being only two stories, and for having a hipped roof. It was built for Henry Smith, and first housed a cabinet maker on the ground floor, with living space above. They were collectively listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and further included in the Central Gloucester Historic District in 1982.

Location

Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts
42.61259, -70.66477

Categories

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTCOMMERCEARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Finds & Access
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Nearby Historic Sites

Central Gloucester Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Puritan House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Gloucester City Hall
Industrial
0.1 mi
Lane, Fitz Henry (formerly known as Fitz Hugh), House
Industrial
0.3 mi
Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial
Listed
0.4 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Gloucester (Massachusetts, 1775)
1775Revolutionary War
0.2 mi
Bombardment of Gloucester 1775
1775Revolutionary War
0.3 mi
Raid on Gloucester (Cape Ann)
1775Revolutionary War
0.3 mi
Naval Action off Cape Ann (1776)
1776Revolutionary War
2.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was Front Street Block listed on the National Register?

Front Street Block was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 7, 1974.

What type of historic resource is Front Street Block?

Front Street Block is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Front Street Block?

The period of significance for Front Street Block is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Front Street Block?

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