290 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 290 Commercial St

Architectural Description: 290 Commercial St. is a 2-1/2-story, 3-bay Colonial Revival-style commercial building; gable-front roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles, full cornice return, shed dormer; exterior is clad in clapboard siding with wood shingles on the rear facade, wood pilasters on 2nd story, brick pilasters on 1st story with wood capitals, 1st-floor eave; building sits on a brick foundation with a poured concrete foundation under the front section; fenestration includes paired casement windows, plate glass display windows with retractable security grills, 1/1 replacement DHS, paired casements on the 2nd story; primary entrance is accessed by paired metal and glass replacement doors; brick stoop with metal railing; rear facade has brackets and cornice; east facade has a secondary entry, bracketed cornice, and a modern exterior brick chimney extending up through the cornice.

Historical Narrative: 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. 299 Commercial Street was constructed between 1858 and 1880. In 1880, it is listed as the property of F. Small. By 1901, M.J. Davis is noted as owning and operating a small business from here and in 1907, the site is listed as Manuel J. Davis, hairdresser. The site of 277 Commercial Street was owned by D.D. Smith in 1880. In 1901, the current building was run as a restaurant by Emma F. Howes.283-289 Commercial Street was owned by S. Nickerson in 1880. As of 1901-1907, these buildings were operated as a livery by James Campbell. Mr. Campbell is noted in 1890 as working as a teamster or jobber.280 Commercial Street was owned by S. Nickerson in 1880. By 1901-1907 the property was owned by Angus McKay, a dealer in dry goods, boots, etc. In 1880, 269 Commercial Street was owned and operated by D. Conwell. The shop, in 1886, is listed as a millinery, and in 1890, a millinery run by Miss Lucy Paine is noted to exist across from Town Hall. Currently "Puzzle Me This" (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.

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)