3-7 Middle Street

History

Historic photographs indicate that this three-story brick block originally (and until about 1880) had lintels and first-floor arches identical to those of 9–15 Middle Street (MHC1839) next door and to an additional building (no longer extant) that once stood across the street.

The present building appears to have been renovated in the late 19th century. It is capped by a low gable roof. The first floor of the building is divided into two storefronts, with a central entrance featuring a modern door leading upstairs and outlined by brick piers resting on the original granite base. The storefront to the west (3 Middle Street) has a c. 1970 glass-and-wood door flanked by large plate glass windows above glazed bulkheads. The east storefront (7) has been altered more dramatically. It contains a modern door flanked by arched display windows with arched transoms.

The first floor is capped by a wide signboard. Each of the upper two floors has five openings, with modern 6/6 sash set into segmental openings, granite sills, and distinctive brick lintels consisting of arched dentil courses set between end blocks. The third-floor openings extend up to the dentil course.

The buildings on this section of Middle Street were destroyed in the great fire of 1811. The earliest known occupants of this building include Charles Huse, a painter, and Joseph Akeman, a provisions dealer, both of whom were here in 1855. In 1875, A.F. Hunt published The Advocate at 3 Middle Street. In the late 1870s, Alfred W. Thompson began operating an establishment here, which directories label by various names, including saloon, restaurant, billiards room, and oysterhouse. Thompson remained in business until about c. 1910 and lived upstairs.

In 1922, the Salvation Army began using the building’s upper floors. It remained here until 1972, when it moved to new quarters on Water Street. First-floor tenants during this period included a barber shop.