Name: Julius Phelps House
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
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): June, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
31D-222 Easthampton NTH.2005
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 3-5 Clark Avenue
Historic Name: Julius Phelps House
Uses: Present: Two family residence
Original: Single family residence
Date of Construction: circa 1850
Source: 1854 map
Style/Form: Italianate
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick
Wall/Trim: Clapboard
Roof: Slate
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.67 acres
Setting: House sits close to road along a busy street.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [3-5 CLARK STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH. 2005
___ 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 circa 1850 Italianate style house is two-and-a-half stories with diamond pattern slate roof. The house features a full
entablature and eaves make partial returns. The five bay façade has a double central entrance and is covered by an Italianate
style portico with a low pitched hipped roof, projecting cornice, square posts with impost blocks and high pedestals, and
balustrade. Above the entrance are paired, narrow 4/4 sash windows, which is also a common feature of the Italianate style. The
upper windows on the house have 6/6 sash windows. Although metal storm windows cover these windows the original 4/4 and
6/6 sashes are present. The original lower windows have been removed and are now 1/1 sash with metal storm windows. The
house has two small brick chimneys symmetrically placed along the ridge line. The slimness of the two brick chimneys denotes
the use of iron stoves and therefore confirms that this home was built around 1850 as homes built before this time period used
large fireplaces to heat homes. The house is clapboard, topped by a slate roof and rests on a brick foundation.
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 large double house was probably constructed around 1850. The house is shown on the 1854 map,
owned by Julius Phelps. The property remained in the Phelps family until about 1890. Originally the house faced a large open
area where South Street curved up the lower slopes of Fort Hill. About 1890 a new elevated South Street was constructed just
west of this property, making a more direct connection to Main Street.”
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.
1854 County Map