177 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 177 Commercial St

Architectural Description: 177 Commercial St. is a 1-1/2-story, 2-bay vernacular Greek Revival-style commercial building; gable-front roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles, partial cornice returns, shed wall dormers, interior concrete block chimney; exterior is clad in clapboard siding with wood corner boards; building sits on a brick foundation; fenestration includes 2/1 vinyl DHS windows, with a denticulated square bay on the front facade; primary entrance has been relocated to rear addition in a gabled corner entrance with a wheelchair ramp; massive 2-1/2-story gable-roof addition extending from rear facade has modern gable dormers on the side roof slopes and a wood deck on the south facade.

Historical Narrative: As per Tom Boland (1994): Nos. 177 and 179. The original address for these properties were 178 and 180 Commercial Street. Although a wharf does not exist as this site in 1836, there is a wharf here in 1858 and is noted as "bank Property." The building at 177 is owned by a M. Rogers on both the 1858 and 188 Atlases. In 1886, the building a 177 is noted as a laundry and is still owned by Mrs. M. Rogers in 1907. Site of 179 was acquired by Joseph Manta some time at the end of the 19th century. Mr. Manta, an immigrant fisherman from Oliviera d'Azemeis, Portugal, worked on packet vessels sailing from Provincetown. Manta also is known to have built the last American whaling vessel, the Schooner John R. Manta in 1904. He also built the Julia Costa a record-setting fresh fish Clipper. Currently called "Bayside Betsy's" (2003).

Bibliography and/or References: Barnstable County Atlas., 1880. Barnstable County Atlas., 1907. Bryant, George. Shipwreck Survivor Built Shipping, Fishing Empire. The Advocate. 4-28-94. The Extremity of Cape Cod. Map, 1836. H.F. Wallings Co. Map of Provincetown Village. Atlas, 1858. 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.

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)