191 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 191 Commercial St

Architectural Description: 191 Commercial St. is a 2-story, 6-bay, vernacular Italianate-style, gable-front with flat-roof ell commercial building; gable-front roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles, partial cornice returns, flat-roof section likely has a built-up roof, interior concrete block chimney on modern addition; exterior is clad in clapboard siding with wood trim; building sits on a brick foundation; fenestration includes 6/6 and 2/2 wood DHS, 6/6 vinyl DHS, storefront has large-pane plate glass display windows with wood frames; two primary entrances are recessed between canted display windows and are accessed by wood pane-and-panel doors; storefront cornice is supported by paired scroll-sawn brackets; a modern addition on a concrete block foundation extends from the south facade.

Historical Narrative: As per Tom Boland (1994): The site is shown on an 1858 atlas as having been a barber shop. In 1880, it is listed as owned by A. McCool and was used as a store house. In the 1889 directory it lists an H.C. Holmes, stove dealer in the location. This use continued until at least 1907, when a William B. Bangs sold stoves, tinware and plumbing here. Unlike many buildings on Commercial Street, this building retains a significant example of an early storefront configuration.

Bibliography and/or References: Barnstable County Atlas., 1880. Barnstable County Atlas., 1907. Cape Cod Directory, 1901. H.F. Wallings Co. Map of Provincetown Village. Atlas, 1858. 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)