41-43 North Main Street
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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
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
Acreage: 0.688 acres
Setting: This is a south-facing house set back
from the street.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [41 NORTH MAIN STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY 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 wind ows,
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