4 Johnson St

Historic District Survey information for 4 Johnson St

Architectural Description: 4 Johnson Street is a 2-story, 2-bay firehouse with 1-story, 1-bay garage additions on each side (north and south). The front-gable roof has partial returns. A pent roof across all bays, with paired brackets below. The building is clad in clapboard, with wood shingles on 1st story and side facades. The main garage door is a pane and panel folding door with adjacent multi-pane and panel entry, both with simple surrounds. Fenestration includes a 2/2 wood DHS window at top of gable end.

Historical Narrative: As per Josephine Del Deo (1977): Firehouse No. 4 and 6. This firehouse like all the others is in excellent condition and in total service for the Town. It not only serves as the Firehouse for the district, but stores a good deal of the equipment and trucks of the company. The Board of Fire Engineers meets in their offices on the second floor. This Firehouse is the central firehouse of all the districts, and its property now abuts the town's Heritage Museum property, making the entire complex a very important central piece of history for the community. It is worth emphasizing that every firehouse is preserved as it was originally built with no exceptions. The entire five firehouses representing six districts should be preserved and maintained as real and vital American history. The Provincetown Company is old, c. 1836, and its continuous service to the community is well documented. The full exhibit of the several companies memorabilia is located in the Provincetown Heritage Museum next door. As per Tom Boland (1994): 4 Johnson St. is the latest of all of the 19th century firehouse to be built. It was, however, executed in a style similar to the other houses. The property on which it was located was vacant in 1880 and the structure was erected in 1888. It was called the "Steamer J.D. Hilliard" named after a former Chie of the Board of Engineers. The crew, as of 1890, was: Joseph W. Cook, Foreman; Charles P. Rodgers, Assistant; C. Austin Cook, Clerk; Samuel MacDonald, Engine Man; and William R. Gayland, Assistant Engine Man. The house continued in service until 1993, also becoming the location of the Provincetown Rescue Squad in the mid 20th century.

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)