351 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 351 Commercial St

Architectural Description: 351 Commercial St. is a 2-story, 2-bay, Greek Revival-style firehouse converted to commercial use; gable-front roof has asphalt shingles, partial cornice returns; exterior is clad in clapboard siding with wood corner boards and trim; building sits on a poured concrete foundation; fenestration includes 6/6 wood DHS windows with wood surrounds; primary entrance is accessed by original paired diagonally braced batten garage doors which open to reveal modern paired vinyl 15-pane French doors with 5-pane sidelights.

Historical Narrative: As per Tom Boland (1994): The firehouse building at 351 Commercial Street was one of the first constructed and was called the Relief Hose #1. Although it appears on the 1858 atlas, little is written about its history except that it was the former Engine #1 and predates the other firehouses of circa 1858. The house discontinued service in the mid-20th century and became a retail structure. It retains its integrity of form and still appears as a firehouse building. The cottage at the rear of 351 directly faces the harbor. It was home to Blanche Lazell, a local printmaker and founding member of the Provincetown Print Makers from 1915 through the 1920's. Lazell specialized in color wood block prints.

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. 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)