Horton Street · No. 3–5 · NWB.2671

3-5 Horton Street

Balch-Donahue

Built 1860–1900National Register district

Built: c. 1890
Style: Queen Anne Queen Anne
MACRIS: NWB.2671 ↗

History

Horton Street was named after Rev. William Horton, the rector of St. Paul’s Church from 1853 to 1863. In his will, Rev. Horton provided the city of Newburyport with the funds to build an almshouse. This almshouse was to replace the old almshouse on Federal Street. In 1888, the old almshouse was demolished.

Horton Street was laid out through the site. The remainder of the adjacent property was divided into house lots and sold at public auction in 1889.

The homes along Horton Street were built shortly after the house lots were sold. They are all two or two-and-a-half stories, with Queen Anne or vernacular Victorian details. Most of the houses have a plan that is basically square, yet the rooflines are broken by numerous gables, some of them clipped. The surfaces of the buildings are varied, often featuring two or more types of shingles and clapboards. These features are typical of the Queen Anne style, popular during the late nineteenth century.

This street offers an excellent example of vernacular architecture from the turn of the twentieth century.

Planning work on this building?

Reviews that may apply

Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 18-21-A/G · Zone R2

Zoning Board of Appeals may decide
In the DCOD. Whether removing more than 25% of the exterior walls needs a DCOD special permit depends on the building’s status in the 1984 National Register nomination, which this site has not matched for this lot yet; the Office of Planning and Development keeps the list.
Zoning Ordinance §XXVIII-D.3 ↗
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1890, 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. 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.
City flowchart, June 2026 ↗

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 →