51-53 Clark Avenue
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
FORM B − BUILDING
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Photograph
Topographic or Assessor's Map
Recorded by: Jayne Bernhard-Armington, B. Parsons
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): June, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
31D-185 Easthampton NTH.798
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 51-53 Clark Avenue
Historic Name: Horace Lamb Wire Mill
Uses: Present: Multi-family c ondominiums
Original: Wire Mill
Date of Construction: 1870s
Source: Maps & visual evidence
Style/Form: Utilitarian
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick
Wall/Trim: Brick, Vinyl
Roof: Asphalt
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
- third floor with side gable roof
- pedimented porches along southern elevation
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.90 acres
Setting: Secluded mill turned condominium complex on a
quiet street of single family, condominium buildings, and
multifamily homes. New bike path runs along the former
railroad bed behind the building.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [51-53 CLARK AVENUE]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.798
___ 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 commun ity.
This is a two-and-a-half story, red brick mill building to which is attached a one to two story red brick addition, and a two-story
vinyl sided garage and apartment addition. The main block, under a side-gable roof, is eighteen bays long and four deep; the
brick addition is five bays long and has a flat roof to which has been added a small section of second story set back on the roof.
Following the red brick addition, the two-story vinyl sided addition has a shed roof and a wing of two stories on its east elevation.
Converted to a residential building from industrial uses, the main block of the building had a gable roof with seven dormers
added to it. Windows in this oldest section are segmentally arched. There are three entries to the units of this building and they
are marked by pedimented porches that were later additions. The brick addition has four broad segmentally arched openings
and a fifth bay of an added enclosed brick portico with a glass entry and glass fanlight. The two-story vinyl sided addition is two
bays wide. It has a two-bay garage on the first story and two windows at the second story. It also has a wing with an exterior
staircase on its rear corner. Although the building has had considerable alteration to take it to residential use, its industrial
origins are still apparent.
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, “This site was originally near the lower falls on the Mill River. During the 1930’s the river was removed
from the center of town and playing fields constructed here. The first known mill on this site was a grist mill erected here in 1742
and as late as 1915 the western end of the building was still being used as such by William H. Smith. In the early 1870’s Horace
Lamb established a wire mill here. The 1885 directory describes the business as “manufacturers of iron and tinned wire for
brooms, brushes, card, and fine tinned for weaving. Also, annealed and bright wire. This was the only factory of its kind in
Hampshire County and produced 300 tons of wire annually. Most of the present building dates from the late 19th century, with
the westernmost eight bays being an early 20th century addition.”
There are eighteen total units in the two buildings.
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.
1794 & 1831 Maps
1854 Map
Registry of Deeds: bk 130P. 84, 99-462, 44-249, 42-72, 38-350
Northampton Directory: 1860,1873-74, 1885-86