- Built
- c. 1880
- Style
- Second Empire Second Empire
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.464 ↗
History
This one-and-a-half-story house with a mansard roof is vernacular in style. It exhibits features of several of the Victorian styles popular toward the end of the nineteenth century. The mansard roof is characteristic of the Second Empire style. The pedimented dormers were inspired by the popular Italianate style.
The dentil cornice, bay window, and simple entrance porch are classical in style and may be early twentieth-century additions to the structure. The octagonal cupola is worthy of note and probably dates to the original construction period.
The original owner of this building has not yet been documented. The structure was built at the end of the nineteenth century. The original owner could very well have been Horace A. Hawkes. At his death, Hawkes willed the property to his daughter Mary A. Gooch. In 1927, she sold the house to Joseph A. Gagnon.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Outside the historic district and the two overlays · Parcel 68-3 · Zone R1
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. 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 →
More photos
2 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS), NWB.464