- Built
- c. 1880
- Style
- Italianate Italianate
- MACRIS
- NWB.2756 ↗
History
Oakland Street between High Street and Merrimac Street was the original western boundary of the town of Newburyport as established in 1764. At that time, it was called North Street. There were several houses on North Street at the turn of the 19th century.
In 1799, James Kettell, auctioneer, offered to the public, house lots on a new street, now Oakland Street. The lots were described as “Well calculated for young mechanics, and others, who wish, at a small expense, to place themselves and families in a healthy and agreeable situation convenient to business and a market.”
The street remained relatively unpopulated until several decades later. It was the development of the shipbuilding industry along Merrimac Street that lead to the settlement of Oakland Street. By the middle of the 19th century, most of the shipyards in active operation in Newburyport, were located between Jefferson and Oakland Streets. The shipyard of Eben Mason was at the foot of Oakland Street on Merrimac Street. Because the owners of the shipyards generally lived on Merrimac Street the workers in the yards built their homes on the streets adjoining.
The street has numerous vernacular Victorian homes. Most of them have gable roofs with the gable facing the street. They vary slightly in design, but generally have simple Victorian doorways and cornices.
The Bridges family, known for the planking of ships, owned 30 and 32 Oakland Street in 1884. Oakland Street retained its association with shipbuilding until early in the 20th century when shipbuilding and its allied trades, ceased to exist on the banks of the Merrimack River.
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 59-33 · 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. 1880, 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 →
From the archive
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.2756, NWB.AQ