- Built
- c. 1710
- Style
- Vernacular Colonial
- Neighborhood
- Joppa District
- MACRIS
- NWB.192 ↗
History
The Mariner Goodwin house is an excellent example of the salt-box form as built in New England during the eighteenth century. Notable architectural features are the massive central chimney, the lean-to with a roofline continuous with that of the house, and the shingled endways. The facade is clapboarded.
The doorway is simply detailed and has likely been altered since the house’s original construction. Several additions have been made to this house, including the one-story, pitch-roofed addition on the eastern end wall (now removed).
This house is important historically for its location in the Joppa district and architecturally.
The house was owned by the Goodwin family for most of the nineteenth century. The house is undoubtedly earlier, but the original owner has yet to be documented. The Goodwin’s had a cooperage and owned a schooner. By 1872, Mrs. Jonathan Goodwin was living in the house, and Mariner P. Goodwin was residing at 263 Water Street. By 1884, Mariner Goodwin had moved to 265 Water Street, and 263 Water Street had been sold.
The house at 265 Water Street remained in the Goodwin family until after 1924, when it was owned by Alice E. Goodwin.
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 30-8 · Zone A/C
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. 1710, 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
2 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.192