463 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 463 Commercial St

Architectural Description: Connected to 465A-465B Commercial Street by a shed entrance; 463 Commercial St. is a 2-story former sail loft/blacksmith shop; gable roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles, triple gable dormers, interior brick chimney at roof ridge; exterior is clad in wood shingles with wood trim; building sits on an obscured foundation; fenestration includes 1/1 vinyl DHS in gable end, 2/2 wood DHS windows in triple gable dormers, modern casement windows on side facade; 1st-story entrance on gable end is accessed by a large plank door with strap hinges and porthole flanked by 4-pane sidelights; 1-story section raised on piers and extends out towards beach; exterior staircase to 2nd-story entry.

Historical Narrative: As per Josephine Del Deo (1976): "Beachcomber's Club, former Boogar Bronze Foundry, Sailmaker Loft and Blacksmith Shop The Beachcomber's Club was established in 1916. In Fred Marvin's house on Bradford Street the founding meeting was held and quarters were established n Knowles Wharf (Foot of Pearl St.). The following year, the property referred to in this inventory was purchased for $2,000. The Beachcombers Club has been an active organization ever since, admitting to its memberships only painters and writers and patrons of the arts. The following description of the property is form George Bryant's unpublished manuscript on the properties of the Beachcombers, Bush estate and Bryant's Market at 463, 465, 467 and 469 and 452 respectively. - All evidence points to the Bangs family having built or placed the larger structure (all that part excluding the old blacksmith shop) on the property located between what is now Bryant's Market and the Flagship Restaurant. I would say that the original part of the Beachcombers was built before 1840 by Solomon Bangs Sr. who, according to the assessors' records that I have seen was one of the 10 wealthiest men in Provincetown. The ownership of the Beachcombers down to the present time was roughly Solomon Sr. to Solomon Jr. to Perez Bangs to the father and uncle of Warren Silva on Bangs St. to the Beachcombers. Some time after they bought it the Beachcombers cut the building in two the short way and moved the seaward portion off of its wharf and onto land by turning it 90 degrees. Later on, in the late 30's or 40's, Patrick connected the Flagship to the Beachcombers, eliminating the old landing which if pictures tell a truth was one of the most picturesque corners of old Provincetown before the change. CONT.

Bibliography and/or References: Barnstable County Atlas., 1880. Barnstable County 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)