4 Florence Street (formerly called Gro,
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: Bonnie Parsons
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): March, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
10B-104-001 Easthampton NTH.23
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 4 Florence Street (formerly called Grove
Hill) Historic Name: Colonel James Shepherd House
Uses: Present: Four-family residence
Original: single-family residence
Date of Construction: 1812-1825
Source: The Northampton Book, P. 353
Style/Form: Greek Revival
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: stone
Wall/Trim: vinyl
Roof: asphalt shingles
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates): Siding added, bay window
removed, some windows replaced, ca. 2000.
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.549 acres
Setting: Set on a promontory in a wooded area.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [GROVE HILL- OFF FLORENCE &
FRONT ST.]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.23
___ 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 Shepherd House is a two-and-a-half story house under a front-gable roof, oriented to the south and overlooking the village
of Leeds originally, now with its entry shifted to the west, it is viewed from Grove Hill as a side-gable house. The south façade is
three bays wide and its eaves make returns to form a pediment above a side-hall entry. This is a Greek Revival style elevation
that would not have appeared until after 1820, although the house has previously been dated 1812. The west elevation is six
bays wide with its entry beneath a portico on posts in the fourth bay, an elevation that would not have been chosen in 1812. So,
this house in style does not match up to its history and should be further researched.
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 1975: “Reputed to be the second oldest house in Leeds, the Shepherd house was built in 1812 by Colonel
James Shepherd. Shepherd was responsible for the early growth of industry in Leeds, erecting the first cotton mill in the village
in 1809. James, Thomas, and Charles Shepherd carried on manufacture of cotton and wool from that time through mid-century,
at which time the silk industry and button industry surpassed spinning and weaving in the valley.
The Shepherd House on Grove Hill overlooked the cluster of factory structures and worker’s boardinghouses grouped
on the banks of the Mill River. In addition to the Shepherd concern, the Mill River Button Company and the Nonotuck Silk
Company owned factory property in the heart of Leeds village. These industries came later, however, and the economic effects
of their operation were not considerable until later in the nineteenth century. At one period, in fact, lack of population and activity
in Leeds resulted in the closing of the Post office in the village.
The Shepherd concern prospered as a result of the ingenuity of its owners. Like many early industrialists, the
Shepherds relied somewhat on European skill and industrial techniques. The family experimented with importation of several
breeds of sheep in an effort to improve the quality of wool available for spinning. The brothers also experimented with power
looms soon after the first patent for a power loom for woolen goods was granted in 1816 to two Taunton men.”
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.