History
This double house is typical of many of the dwellings built in Newburyport during the early years of the nineteenth century. The house has the three-story, nearly square, hip-roofed form characteristic of the Federal style.
The classically inspired window lintels and smaller windows on the third floor are also standard features of the Federal style. The doorways of this building have been altered and are presently ornamented by turned Victorian brackets.
The original owner and builder of this house have yet to be documented. The house was undoubtedly built around the turn of the nineteenth century at a time when Newburyport prospered because of the town’s maritime interests.
Before 1871, this house was owned by John H. Balch and John E. Piper. Balch was a member of the firm E. P. Dodge and Company, shoe manufacturers, at what is now 21–23 Pleasant Street. Balch and Dodge were partners from 1868 to 1872. Balch was also an incorporator of the Newburyport Five-Cent Savings Bank in 1854. John E. Piper was in partnership with William H. Piper in the firm John E. Piper and Company at 8 State Street. This firm sold hats, caps, and furs.
The Stickney family owned the house until the end of the nineteenth century.
Spring Street was accepted by the town selectmen on September 21, 1797, although it had likely been laid out before that date. Today, 1 Spring Street remains a single-family residence.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984), contributing in the 1984 nomination · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 46-12 · Zone R3
Zoning Board of Appeals decides
Listed as contributing in 1984, so removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, counted cumulatively since 2014 and including walls enclosed by an addition or openings filled in, needs a DCOD special permit; the Board may grant one only if the building retains no substantial remaining market value or reasonable use. The Historical Commission sends an advisory report. Replacing siding, or windows and doors in their openings, does not count.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1725, so 75 or more years old: removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, changing the roofline (pitch, towers, cupolas, anything projecting above the roof), moving it, or adding a dormer that misses the setback and pitch rules is "demolition" under the demolition delay ordinance. The Commission holds a hearing within 30 days and may impose a delay of up to 18 months. In the DCOD the wall test goes to the Zoning Board instead; the Commission keeps roofline, roof pitch and dormer work. Parts of the building documented as younger than 75 years are excluded on a written determination by the Zoning Administrator.
Code of Ordinances ch. 5 art. X, §§5-307–5-308 (June 2026) ↗
Zoning Administrator first stop
Every project starts with a zoning determination from the Zoning Administrator, which says which of these reviews apply and whether the work also needs zoning relief (a special permit for a non-conformity, or a variance). Fees, forms and filing deadlines are on the City’s site.
Not legal advice, not an official City publication, and not the position of the Historical Commission or any board. Says what the ordinances say as of September 30, 2026; the Zoning Administrator decides what applies. Boundaries: Merrimack Valley Planning Commission / City of Newburyport GIS (MIMAP); 1984 status from the National Register nomination's district data sheets. City's quick guide to the DCOD and demolition delay ↗ · Do I need approval? Project by project →
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.423