193-199 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 193-199 Commercial St

Architectural Description: Address in field is 199 Commercial Street; 199 Commercial St. is a 2-1/2-story, 4-bay,vernacular Italianate-style commercial building; gable-front roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles, partial cornice returns, full-width shed dormers on side roof slopes; exterior is clad in vinyl siding on the front facade and wood shingles on secondary facades; building sits on a brick foundation; fenestration includes 9-pane wood fixed windows on storefront, 2/1 wood DHS windows on 2nd and 3rd stories, single-pane fixed windows with inoperable shutters on shed dormers; three entrances on primary facade, two commercial and one for upper-story apartments, all accessed by modern wood pane-and-panel doors; storefront cornice with scroll-sawn brackets; side addition includes exterior staircase to the 2nd story; entrance to basement store on side facade; significant additions on the rear facade.

Historical Narrative: As per Josephine Del Deo (1977): "This building was built in 1845 and '46 by James Chandler, Lemuel Cook and Joshua Bowley; the wharf attached was called Market Wharf; the business done was general fitters of vessels and buyers of cod and mackerel. A sail-loft was also connected at one time in the building, the work carried on under the management of Benjamin Allstrum. The general fishing business was carried on by different parties, the last being Joseph P. Johnson and Reuben F. Cook, who conducted it for 5 years. In 1858, the entire place was bought by Captain Benjamin Rider and was made a lumber wharf and the upper part of the building fitted up for his dwelling. It remained in his possession until his death when it reverted to his heirs who are the present owners. The lower floor has been used for various kinds of business, grocery, fancy articles, etc. In 1873 the present occupant leased the left side portion of the lower floor and fitted it up for the clothing and gent's furnishings goods. This was done in 1887. Mr. Rich has now been carrying on a successful business here for seventeen years and keeps one of the largest stocks in his line in the town. (Herman Jennings, Provincetown p 160.) The 1880 map of Provincetown shows ownership of the wharf by George Allen and .W. Atwood. No doubt, these owners were just previous to J.L. Rich. In 1949, the building and remaining boat yard was owned by William Hathaway who ran it as a marine railway in the back of the property and rented the front stores. In 1950, 51, and 52 I rented one of these location myself as a weaving shop. Ed Weiner of NYC rented the other side of the building. Subsequent to Hathaway's ownership, the present owner purchased the building and property. The part of the property once used as a marine railway and the remaining lumber wharf are now solidly filled in with summer renting apartments."

Bibliography and/or References: Jennings, "Provincetown" H.F. Wallings Co. Map of Provincetown Village. Atlas, 1858. 1880 Map of the Village of Provicnetown, p. 80.

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)