260 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 260 Commercial St

Architectural Description: The Provincetown Town Hall is a 3-story, 5-bay, 8-bay, 7-bay deep municipal building with an octagonal clock tower with copper roof rising from the center of the building. The facade is stepped. The irregular roof has multiple gables and gable dormers on the east facade. A belt course runs above the 1st story. A double-height bay occupies the gable end, and is supported by large brackets. The 2nd-story contains arched windows with central 4/4 DHS. Window surrounds have beaded millwork. There are entries on 3 sides of the building. The entrances contain double paired doors. An exterior fire stair accesses the upper stories. On the right facade, wood steps access the entrance. The flat roof porch contains Doric columns and pilasters. Windows consist of 6/6 and 4/4 wood DHS with storms. One entrance consists of rebuilt steps and deck. The north facade contains a 1-story modern enclosure for steps to basement entry. An exterior brick centered chimney is located on the north facade as well as a 1-story entry addition with Doric columns. 4-light windows and balustrade on roof. All facades contains paired corner pilasters and all lintels along 2nd story window contain keystones.

Historical Narrative: w 44 c1915,1964 r33-34 As per John Bell (1976): "Hall was built 9 years after loss by fire of 'Town hall and high school' on Monument (formerly High Pole) Hill in February 1877. Site was partly donated (see dedication booklet) and partly bought. It had business buildings fronting Commercial St., and apple orchard on the north end. Construction competed in less than one year. As the town's political center, CD headquarters, and Police Station it is the hub of community communications other than the media. It serves also as the town's only voting place, Town Meeting site, and Employment Security office. Only structural changes were the removal of the side entrance and substitution of brick steps for original entrance stairway. In 1976 the building was repaired and repainted."

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)