465A-465B Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 465A-465B Commercial St

Architectural Description: 465A-465B Commercial St. is a 2-story former workshop/storehouse; side-gable roof is sheathed in wood shingles, interior brick chimney; exterior is clad in wood shingles; building sits on an obscured foundation; fenestration includes 6/6 DHS; 1-story shed section on rear with 3/3 wood DHS, bay window with 6/6 wood DHS and 4-pane sidelights, modern single-pane fixed windows and modern pane-and-panel door; 2nd-story exterior staircase in rear with wood slab door.

Historical Narrative: As per Tom Boland (1995): " Numbers 463 and 465 Commercial are listed in the 1858 atlas as being the E. & E.F. Cook Store and S. Bangs Sail loft respectively. It is also shown that, at that time, a wharf was attached to the property although it may have existed earlier. In 1880, the entire property was owned by S. Bangs but the grocery store here was known as the S.G. Cook Store. By 1907, the property was under the ownership of Messrs. David C. Stull, M. Silva and W.C. Snow who called it the Consolidated Weir Company (later know as the Atlantic Coast Fisheries). Mr. Stull, as noted in the 1901 Directory, specialized in fine lubricating oils made with whale oil as he was a well known trader in ambergris; while Mr. Snow was known as a shipsmith. #463 later became what is reputed as the first nightclub in town in the 1920s known as the Flagship (still the Flagship restaurant). 463A, the rear portion of the building bridging 463 and 465, was moved to its current location from the original wharf in 1927. The Beachcomber's Club, an artists' supper club was based here. Of all the structures in the area, this contains the most original integrity. William Boogar, Jr., the sculptor, used the former blacksmith shop at #463 (gone) as his studio in the early part of this century. The Grocery store at #465 was known as Burch's Store in the 1920's."

Bibliography and/or References: Barnstable County Atlas. Atlas, 1880. Barnstable County Atlas. Atlas, 1907. Cape Cod Directory, 1901. The Extremity of Cape Cod. Map, 1836. H.F. Wallings Co. Map of Provincetown Village. Atlas, 1858. Provincetown Advocate. November 11, 1984. Resident Directory. W.F. Richardson & Co., 1886. Resident Directory. W.H. Hopkins, 1889. Vorse, Mary Heaton. Time and the Town.

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Commercial Street (Provincetown, Mass.), Dwellings, and Historic Districts--Massachusetts--Provincetown

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)