252 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 252 Commercial St

Architectural Description: 252 Commercial St. is a 2-1/2-story, 3-bay, Greek Revival-style mixed use commercial/residential building; gable-front roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles; exterior is clad in vinyl siding; building sits on an obscured foundation; fenestration includes 2/1 DHS replacement and 6/6 DHS with storms, storefront contains 3/1 fixed windows with center awning window in top panes, square bay on side facade with 6-light casements; primary entrance is a corner storefront entry with a modern glass door; 2-story, 1-bay shed-roof side facade addition; 1-story rear addition with another 1-1/2-story gable-front addition on rear behind it; 1-story storefront on front facade is a later addition.

Historical Narrative: As per Josephine Del Deo (1976): " In the July 3, 1969 article in the Provincetown Advocate, an issue which commemorates its centennial years, the owner of Adams Pharmacy, Dr. John Crocker, is thoroughly memorialized. Dr. Crocker was the first publisher of the Advocate and was also an apothecary. He began printing the Advocate in 1869 and was living at the time at the present site of the pharmacy. His apothecary shop was situated beside his residence and has since been incorporated into the store. He had definite ideas about the treatment of tuberculosis far in advance of his time, recommending sunshine and fresh air instead of simply quiet and darkness. His diagnosis was 15 years in advance of the first sanitarium at Saranac Lake. This building is important, therefore, from the standpoint of medicine, communication and community development. Its architecture dates it as significant in the town's general development. The business is the oldest in continuous operation in the town." As per Tom Boland (1994): The earliest known structures of the area are 250 and 280. 250 Commercial is listed as the office of Dr. John L. Lothrop, who also had a pharmacy here, in the 1858 atlas. By 1875, the building had become Adams Pharmacy which still exists to this day and is the oldest business in continuous operation. The building in 1880, however was still owned by a J.M. Croker. By 1901-1907, the site was owned by John D. Adams himself. Historic photographs from the turn of the century indicate that the storefront remains unchanged in form. 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. 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.

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)