King Street 324.pdf
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form. FORM B − BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Photograph Topographic or Assessor's Map Recorded by: Bonnie Parsons Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Date (month /year):
March, 2010 Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number 24B-34 Easthampton NTH.271 Town: Northampton Place: (neighborhood or village) Address: 324 King Street Historic Name: Bluebonnet
Diner Uses: Present: Diner/restaurant Original: Diner Date of Construction: c.1940 or earlier Source: visual evidence Style/Form: Moderne and utilitarian Architect/Builder: Exterior
Material: Foundation: glass block and concrete Wall/Trim: metal, brick, concrete block, vinyl, wood Roof: metal, asphalt Outbuildings/Secondary Structures: Major Alterations (with dates):
Rear banquet hall added, ca. 1990 Condition: good Moved: no | | yes | | Date Acreage: 2.002 acres Setting: The diner faces east on to a major thoroughfare in a commercial section of
Northampton.
INVENTORY FORMB CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [324 KING STREET] MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Continuation
sheet 1 NTH.271 ___ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form. Use as much
space as necessary to complete the following entries, allowing text to flow onto additional continuation sheets. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: Describe architectural features. Evaluate
the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community. The Bluebonnet Diner has been enclosed in additions on all but two of its sides, the west and a
portion of the north, where a portion of its blue metal and glass exterior is still visible under a low domed roof above which sits an added parapet wall containing a long advertising
sign. On its south, west and north elevations the diner has been largely enclosed by brick, concrete and and wood additions to extend the diner to a lounge and banquet hall. On the east
side of the diner it sits on glass block and concrete foundations. A vinyl-sided portico obscures it main entry on its south end, but a secondary entry at its northeast corner is reached
by a set of concrete stairs. The diner is painted a deep blue with aluminum Moderne inserts at its corners and aluminum frame windows running along all visible walls. Gothic script is
used for its name “Bluebonnet” that is centered on the east below the window strip. This diner, like the Miss Flo in Florence, has been considerably expanded, but maintains its diner
identity. HISTORICAL NARRATIVE 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. From Form B of 1976: “The Bluebonnet Diner on 324 King Street is one of Northampton’s four diners and one of the least altered. The basic diner form—the
railroad car—is unchanged. The ancestor of the 20th century diner was the 1880’s ‘dog wagon,’ a horse drawn vehicle dispensing sandwiches and coffee. Catering to the fringes of the population,
these late 19th century diners were regarded with some suspicion and distaste. In the post-World War I years, however, diners designed along the lines of railroad cars became popular.
The interior counter with stools was joined by booths and the diner became an acceptable eating place for the general population. Other diners in Northampton include: The Red Lion (Miss
Northampton) on Strong Avenue in the downtown; the Miss Florence on route 9 in downtown Florence, and the former Beardsley Diner on Button Alley.” BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Beers,
F. W. County Atlas of Hampshire Massachusetts, New York, 1873. Hales, John G. Plan of the Town or Northampton in the County of Hampshire, 1831. Miller, D. L. Atlas of the City of Northampton
and Town of Easthampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, 1895. Walker, George H. and Company. Atlas of Northampton City, Massachusetts, Boston, 1884. Walling, Henry F.
Map of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, New York, 1860.