- Built
- c. 1800
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.1518 ↗
History
The original owners of this house have yet to be documented. A reverse deed search reaches back to 1933, when Raymond J. Merrill conveyed the property to Elizabeth M. Blake, wife of Raymond F. Blake. The Blakes sold the house to Robert E. and Dorthy A. Doyle in 1958.
The Doyles opened a pharmacy on the property shortly after buying the house, but several neighbors quickly objected. They argued that the building inspector should not have allowed the “Colonial Pharmacy” to open, since it went against the city zoning ordinance, and sued the City of Newburyport. After a long delay and a trip to the State Supreme Court, the Doyles were told to close the store just over a year after it opened. They opened a new store in Newbury, which ran for several years without trouble. The Doyles remained in the house until 1973, when they sold it to Daniel J. and Janet L. Morgan, who owned it for the next decade.
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 68-74 · 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. 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 →
From the archive
5 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.1518
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2024-03-28