North Main Street 41-43.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 17C-251 Easthampton NTH.119 Town: Northampton Place: (neighborhood or village) Florence Address: 41-43 North Main Street Historic
Name: John L. Otis House Uses: Present: Four-family residence Original: Single-family residence Date of Construction: 1860-1873 Source: Atlases Style/Form: Greek Revival/Italianate Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material: Foundation: brick Wall/Trim: clapboards Roof: asphalt Outbuildings/Secondary Structures: Garage Major Alterations (with dates): Ell added on north, ca. 1900. Window
in south pediment elongated, n.d. Condition: good Moved: no | x | yes | | Date Date Acreage: 0.688 acres Setting: This is a south-facing house set back from the street.
INVENTORY FORMB CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [41 NORTH MAIN STREET] MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Continuation
sheet 1 NTH.119 ___ 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 Otis House is transitional between the Greek Revival and Italianate styles. It is a two-and-a-half
story building under a front-gable roof whose eaves make full returns to create a Greek Revival pediment. In the pediment at the attic level is a rectangular window that has been extended
from an originally shorter length, but in its original length, it was typical of Greek Revival style pediment windows. The building has a two-story ell on the north and a two-story wing
on the west. What suggests the Italianate style in the house is the use of full-length first floor windows on the south façade. The porch as well is Italianate in style with its chamfered
posts and impost blocks at the capitals. The house has a side hall entry with narrow, ¾ length sidelights. It was during the 1870s that builders responded to the public’s demand for
greater, healthier ventilation in houses with larger windows, porches and cross-gables that would catch the air, and this house demonstrates several of those responses. 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 1980: “In 1862, D. G. Littlefield and Isaac Graves filed a subdivision plan for North Main and North Maple Streets, bound by Graves Street (later Myrtle Street, now Bardwell
Street). Mr. Littlefield was one of the founders of the Florence Sewing Machine Company and kept this one acre lot, most likely for the superintendent of the Company. John L. Otis was
born in Connecticut and spent his early years working in cotton factories. He rose to overseer and then superintendent, while studying at night to become a mechanical engineer. The Manufacturing
Company was established in Manchester, Connecticut in 1851, and while in charge here, Mr. Otis put into operation for the Cheney Brother of South Manchester the first machine for manufacturing
silk and woolen knits in the country. During the Civil War, Mr. Otis rose to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General, through his heroic service. After the war, General Otis became superintendent
of the Florence Sewing Machine Company. He remained in this position for three years, and then helped establish the Northampton Emory Wheel Company with L.B. Williams. Gen. Otis was
active in politics, serving as selectman for two years, as representative to legislature for one term and as State Senator for two terms. General Otis bought this house from the Florence
Sewing Machine Company in 1877, and resided here until his death in 1894. He probably also lived here earlier in his role as superintendent of the Company.” 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. Registry of Deeds: Bk. 376-P. 283