296 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 296 Commercial St

Architectural Description: 296 Commercial St. is a 2-1/2-story, Queen Anne-style mixed-use commercial/residential building; gable-front roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles; exterior is clad in patterned wood shingles with wood corner boards and trim; building sits on an obscured foundation; polygonal turret; fenestration includes 1/1 and 2/1 replacement DHS in upper stories, 2/2 and 6/6 DHS on left side facade, modern plate glass storefront windows; primary entrance is accessed by central paired 15-light doors with 6-light transom above; pilasters frame storefront bays; 2nd-floor porch with historic door, decorative brackets and simple wood balustrade; retractable cloth awning; left side facade exhibits a flared 2nd-story overhang.

Historical Narrative: As per Tom Boland (1994): Nos. 294 and 296. The earlier of the two structures, 294 Commercial is noted on the 1880 atlas as the Paine estate. 296 Commercial does not officially appear until 1901 when it was owned by William Enos, a master mainer. In 1901, 294 was owned by Matthias Morris, who ran a fruit, cigar and confectionary shop there. These buildings, constructed around the same time, remain largely unaltered in their upper floors from their original appearance. With their extant Queen Anne features, such as the corner tower and oriel, they are a surprising departure from the stock of mostly Greek Revival buildings which survive in the area.

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. Resident Directory. W.F. Richardson & Co., 1886. Resident Directory. W.H. Hopkins, 1889.

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)