History
This house is a fine example of the three-story houses, with hipped roofs and symmetrical five-bay facades, that were built throughout Newburyport at the turn of the nineteenth century. This house is quite simple, with its architectural details concentrated at the front entrance and cornice moulding.
The doorway is exceptional. The door is within an arched opening containing a semi-circular fanlight. The door is flanked by coupled pilasters supporting a fine, classically-inspired entablature above.
The original owner and builder of this house are unknown. In 1851, Hiram Tozer owned the property. Tozer was a publisher in Newburyport. He published a religious paper between January 1833 and January 1834. The paper was called “The Monthly Paper.” In 1842, Tozer published the Merrimack Journal twice a week for ten or twelve months.
Before 1872, Mrs. Jacob Hale acquired the property. The Hale family owned the house until 1916, when Albert Hale, administrator of the estate of Ann Gardner Hale, and author, sold it to Charles Blood.
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 47-70 · Zone B3
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. 1800, 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 →
Details
1 close-up
From the archive
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.443