- Built
- c. 1868
- Style
- Second Empire Second Empire
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.43 ↗
- Formerly
- 204 High Street
History
This house is Second Empire in style and has the richness of detail and complexity of plan characteristic of the style. The mansard roof and arched dormers are standard features in the Second Empire, as is the projecting central bay with its distinct roofline.
The arched windows, bracketed cornice, elaborately detailed entrance portico, and quoins create a rusticated effect, contributing to the bold three-dimensional impact of the Second Empire style.
This house was probably built by Nathaniel M. Horton around 1868. Horton lived in the house in 1872. He was a man of substantial well-being. His home was quite elaborate and in the period's style. Horton himself was a prominent member of the community. He was involved in the shoe industry and made his wealth when shoemaking developed from a cottage industry to one of the most prosperous industries in the city of Newburyport. This development occurred just about the time that this house was built.
Horton served the community's interests as well as those of business and industry. He was a selectman in 1831 and 1832 and between 1846 and 1851. In 1851, when Newburyport became a city, he was the first alderman from Ward 4. In 1840, Horton was also on a committee to determine the best method for transporting water from the Frog Pond to the North and South ends of the city for firefighting.
In 1861, Nathaniel, 44, married his second wife, Agnes M. Patten, 20. By 1865, they lived in Newburyport with their 2-year-old daughter, Anna M. Horton. According to the census, they had a “Domestic” living with them: 24-year-old Mary Enright, a single woman from Ireland who could not read or write. They also lived next door to Nathaniel’s widowed mother, brother, and sister.
The house was later owned by Daniel Cashman and was kept in the Cashman family well into the Mid-Twentieth Century.
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 51-17 · Zone R2
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. 1868, 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 photos
5 views · Biff Bouse
Details
1 close-up
From the archive
7 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) - NWB.43
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 8 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)