274-276 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 274-276 Commercial St

Architectural Description: 274-276 Commercial St. is a 2-1/2-story, 3-bay, Queen Anne-style mixed-use commercial/residential building; gable-front roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles, full cornice return with brackets; exterior is clad in clapboard siding with wood corner boards and trim; building sits on a brick foundation; fenestration includes Queen Anne display windows; 1/1 replacement DHS, 2/2 DHS, 2/1 DHS replacements, 2nd story contains paired 5-light casements and a central single-light window; modern attic bay window; primary entrance is accessed by modern centered paired doors with brick stoop and metal railing, door is sheltered by a pedimented hood with end brackets; 1st story storefront cornice; pilasters separate each bay on 1st story; secondary entry on front facade contains modern doors, 3-light transom, concrete stoop and metal railings; roof deck; rear facade contains cornice, pilasters, central entry with entablature, concrete steps, another entry located to side with porch deck.

Historical Narrative: As per Josephine Del Deo (1977): "The location of the Seaman's Savings Bank. The bank moved here from 90 Commercial , the Union Exchange Building, in 1982. The could be considered the 3rd location of the bank, as the first operations was conducted in the Union Wharf Building opposite the Union Exchange Building (99 Commercial). However this did not last long and the operation was soon transferred to the Union Exchange Building. " As per Tom Boland (1994):This building was constructed for use by the Seamen's Savings Bank and opened on March 16, 1892. It replaced a property owned by Mrs. J. Atkins in 1880. Seamen's Savings Bank was incorporated on April 14, 1851, (by Governor George S. Boutwell) for David Fairbanks, Joseph B. Hersey and Thomas Nickerson. The first president was John Adams for four years followed by David Fairbanks for eighteen years. Lysander Paine succeeded Mr. Fairbanks and held office until at least 1890. Originally located on the Union Wharf Store (101 Commercial) and relocated to the Exchange Building (90 Commercial). The bank moved from 274-276 Commercial to its current location in the mid 20th century. Currently "The Shell Stop" (2003).

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. Jennings, Herman A. Chequocket or Provincetown. 1893. Jennings, Herman A. Provincetown. or Odds and Ends from the Tip End. 1890. Resident Directory. W.F. Richardson & Co., 1886. Resident Directory. W.H. Hopkins, 1889. "The Seaman's Savings Bank, 1851-1951," Provincetown MA. Published by the Seamen''s Savings Bank.

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)