One Short 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: Jayne Bernhard-Armington
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): June, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
32C-168 Easthampton NTH.2150
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: One Short Street
Historic Name: Webster Herrick Freight Depot
Uses: Present: Office and residential
Original: Industrial / Freight Depot
Date of Construction: circa 1854
Source: visual evidence
Style/Form: Utilitarian
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick
Wall/Trim: Brick
Roof: Asphalt
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Third story wood dormers
Condition: Good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.184 acres
Setting: The building is set back from Pleasant Street and
runs parallel with the railroad tracks. The building is located
in Northampton’s former industrial area, which has seen the
conversion of former industrial buildings to office, retail, and
residential uses.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [SHORT STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.2150
___ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
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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.
This three story brick industrial warehouse with side-gable roof was built in 1854 for Webster Herrick. The building is oriented
northeast to the railroad tracks and its eleven bay façade runs parallel to the railroad tracks. The building is eleven bays wide
and four bays deep. One the northeast elevation, the building is divided into thirds by two entrances. One of the entrances
retains its original door with four-light transom. The end walls are four bays wide and feature partial returns of the gable. The
original windows have been replaced and are now a mix of one over one and six over six sash. Window sills and lintels are
comprised of granite. The building has a narrow brick chimney at each of the gable ends. The building was rehabilitated in the
2000s for office and residential use. During this period, dormers were added to the roof on both the northeast and southwest
elevations. On the northeast elevation, stairs have been added to the exterior to provide access to the residential units on the
third floor. The northeast elevation features a painted sign that reads “Amherst Craftsman, Northampton, Mass” that extends
across the full width of the eleven bay façade.
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 1976: “Webster Herrick came to Northampton in 1827 at the age of 16 to learn the wagon maker’s trade. During
the 1830s, he traveled first to California then to South America setting up rice-hulling machines. In 1840, he returned to
Northampton and engaged in the machine business in which he remained until his death in 1892. A circular saw mill was set up
at the milliard off King street in 1845. Herrick patented the mill and this became the mainstay of his business. For the Civil War
effort, he made rifling machines which were used to manufacture rifle barrels at Bay State. An indication of the extent of
Herrick’s business can be obtained from his business notice in the 1873 Atlas: “W. Herrick Machinist and Manufacturer of
Portable Circular Sawmills, Siding and Box Board Mills, Saw Sets, Circular Saws, Silk Machinery, Steam stretchers, Power
Stringers, Mill Gearing, Shafting, Pulleys, Hangers, and Bolts. Repairing promptly attended to. Also dealer in Stationary, Portable
Steam Engines, Shingle Mills, Planning Mills, etc.”
Walter Zawacki owned the building in 1976. Building now owned by Jordi Herold. Building renovated in the 2000s to include
office and three residential units.
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.
Daily Hampshire Gazette, August 3, 1892.
Hampshire Gazette & Northampton Courier, March 4, 1862.
Northampton Directory 1860