88.5 Federal St Form B
Inventory No:SAL.1640
Historic Name:
Common Name:
Address:88 1/2-90 Federal St
City/Town:Salem
Village/Neighborhood:Central Salem
Local No:26-627
Year Constructed:c 1897
Architect(s):
Architectural Style(s):Italianate
Use(s):Multiple Family Dwelling House
Significance:Architecture
Area(s):
SAL.HD: Federal Street
SAL.HJ: Chestnut Street Historic District
SAL.HU: McIntire Historic District
Designation(s):Nat'l Register District (08/28/1973); Local Historic District
(03/03/1981)
Building Materials(s):
Roof: Slate
Wall: Slate; Vinyl Siding; Wood; Wood Clapboard
Foundation: Brick; Granite; Stone, Cut
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FORM B - BUILDING NRDIS 8/28/73; LH D 3/3/81
Assessor's Number USGS Quad
26-627 Salem
Area(s)
H U
Form Number
1640
Recorded by Leslie Donova n
Organization Salem Plannin g Departmen t
Date (month/year) 2/96
Town Salem
Place (neighborhood or village) Central Sale m
Address 88 1/2-90 Federa l St.
Historic Name
Uses: Present Multiple-Family Dwellin g
Original Multiple-Family Dwelling
Date o f Constructio n by 1897
Source Maps & Directorie s
Style/Form Italianate
Architect/Builder
Exterior Material :
Foundation Granite main block : bric k ell s
Wall/Trim Wood Clapboard
Roof Slate
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
Major Alterations (with dates)
20th c. Siding S & W
Condition Fair
Moved xno yes Date
Acreage Less than 1 Acre
Setting Set directl y at sidewalk in 18th an d 19th Century
residential area
JUL 0 6 1996
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
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BUILDING FORM 88 1/2 -90 Federa l Street, Salem
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION see continuation sheet
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
88 1/2 -90 Federal Street i s a n exampl e of the Italianat e style, whic h i s wel l represented i n th e Mclntir e district
including 5 an d 13 Beckfor d Street an d 126 1/2 Federal . Set o n a long narrow lot, this south-facin g house has no
front set-back and n o landscaping. Two-and-a-half stories tal l with a n irregula r plan, it has an el l extending from
the northeast comer. The mai n bloc k o f the hous e i s three bay s wid e b y three deep ; on th e side elevations, the thir d
(northern) ba y recedes on the wes t an d project s on th e east . A two-story ell extends the east elevatio n two more
bays t o the north.
The house has a steeply pitche d cross-gabl e roo f cla d i n slate. Two brick chimney s pierc e the nort h slop e of the
main roof, and one more rises through the ell . Pedimented dormer s with slate walls top bot h side elevations. On
the facade, decorative two-story projecting bays flan k the cente r entrance . These are topped at by overhanging
gables restin g o n larg e brackets . Recessed round-arch window s ar e centered i n the gables . Ornamentation o f th e
projecting bays include s brackets , decorated pediments, carve d arches , sunbursts, star bursts , panels, and beaded
boards. Brackets als o decorate the mai n cornice includin g the pedimente d gabl e ends.
The main entr y consist s o f a paneled doubl e doo r topped b y a single-pane transom. A hipped porc h roo f wit h
spindles an d a modillio n cornic e is supported b y square column s set o n pedestals . The principa l windows have 2/2
sash set i n simpl e molded frames, topped o n the firs t floor side elevation s with projectin g cornices an d o n the
second floo r with pediments. The wall s ar e cla d i n aluminum siding , wit h th e exceptio n o f the eas t sid e o f the ell.
which i s sided wit h clapboard . Also on th e east elevation, a secondary entry (to 88-1/2 Federal Street) is located in
a projecting vestibule that incorporate s a former side porc h wit h hip-roofe d hood supported o n decorativ e consoles.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE x see continuation sheet
Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the
building and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community.
90 Federal Street wa s constructed by 1897, an d may have been built between 1851 an d 1874, b y which time the
city map shows a buddin g footprint similar i n siz e to tha t seen today. The 1874 an d the 1897 footprint s are
somewhat differen t and may indicate tha t a new building was constructed o r perhaps that a rear ell had bee n
added. In 1851, the sit e wa s occupied by a smaller house with a rectangular plan an d the owne r show n on the map
of that date wa s N. Read (sic). Nathaniel Read, a constable, was listed i n th e 1851 directory at 20 Federa l Street.
Federal Street was renumbered ca 1853-55 and thi s became 90 Federa l St. Nathaniel Reed was living a t 20
Federal Street as early as 1837. By 1874, the owne r wa s Mrs. WUliam G. Webb, who lived at 38 Chestnu t Street
(see form for Nathaniel West House, 34 Chestnut S t , Form No. 733) and lease d this propert y to tenants . Her
husband, a merchant workin g at 125 Esse x Street, owned 34 , 38, 44-4 6 Chestnut a s well as 90 Federa l Street.
During the Webb's ownership , which lasted unti l at least 1897. occupant s o f 90 Federa l included Mrs. Louise
Batchelder. Mrs. G. F. Cooke. Miss Rebecca Aborn and Mrs . E. Kenne y (al l in 1884).
By 1897. the hous e was occupied b y two families and the addres s o f 88-1/2 had bee n created. Lewis B. Mooch',
who sold newspapers, periodical s an d fancy goods at 131 Washington, lived at 88-1/2 ; an d Edwar d B. Trumbel l
lived at 90. Trumbell. wh o still lived ther e i n 1930, wa s manager o f the Sale m Storage Warehous e Company,
located o n the lot abuttin g 90 Federa l o n the north . The Trumbell s may have purchased the house after they move d
here, since i t was owned by Elizabet h F. Trumbell i n 1911. During the Trumbell's ownership, residents o f 88 1/2
Federal Street include d Misse s [sic] Wilson, a sewing teacher at Mac k Industrial School (1910); an d John G .
__Adams. a physicia n (1930). —
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATIO N SHEET Community
Salem
Property Address
88 1/2-90 Federa l St.
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Massachusetts Archives Buildin g
220 Morrisse y Boulevard
Boston, M A 02125
Area(s)
H U
Form No.
1640
1950s occupants were Georg e P . Ryan, a parts manager, who lived a t 88 1/2 ; an d Mrs . Helen F . Foley, a n
examiner, who lived at 90 Federal . In 1970. 88 1/2 was the residence of Lillia n Aronson. an office clerk: whil e
number 90 was occupied b y Mrs . Jacqueline A . Gelin. a waitress a t Romies .
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES X see continuation sheet
Salem City Directories. 1836-1970.
Hopkins, G. M . Atlas of Salem. Philadelphia. 1874.
Mclntyre. H . Ma p of the Cit y of Salem. Philadelphia. 1851.
Phillips, James Duncan . Map of Salem about 1780. Based o n Researc h by Sidney Perle y and th e accounts o f
Colonel Benjamin J. Pickman an d Benjami n F. Browne with additional information assembled by Jones Duncan
and Henr y Noye s Otis . Salem: James Dunca n Phillips , 1937.
. Part of Salem i n 1700. From th e research of Sidney Perley . Assembled by Willia m W. K. Freeman.
Salem: James Dunca n Phillips . 1933.
Richards, L . F. Atlas of Salem 1897.
Walker Lithograp h and Publishin g Company. Atlas of Salem. Boston. MA : 1911.
Recommended for listing i n the Nationa l Register of Historic Places . If checked, you must attach a
completed National Register Criteria Statement form.
Maps
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FORM B - BUILDING
-MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Office of the Secretary , State House, Boston
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USGS Quadrant
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Altered_
Moved
Date_
Date
5 . Lot size;
One acre or less If— Over one acre
Approximate frontage &~&
Approximate distance of building from street
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Organization ^ , rf . <C
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Original owner (if known)
Original use
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates
Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal
Agricultural
Architectural
The Arts
Commerce
Communication
Community development
Conservation
Education
Exploration/
settlement
Industry
Military
Political
Recreation
Religion
Science/
invention
Social/
humanitarian
Transportation
Historical significance (include explanation of themes cheeked above)
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Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
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