- Built
- c. 1840
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- MACRIS
- NWB.447 ↗
History
This house is vernacular in style, with features of the Greek Revival and other mid-nineteenth-century styles. The original owner of the house was a mason, and it appears that he used it as a showpiece. The front entrance and window openings are simple.
The doorway is trabeated, with the door recessed and flanked by sidelights. There is also an oblong light above the door. The house is two stories in height with a steeply pitched roof. The brick dentil cornice is noteworthy, as is the slightly projecting brick fascia above the second-story windows. The windows in the rear of the building are somewhat arched.
The property was acquired in 1753 by William Wood, an Englishman. In the early years, it was a self-supporting plantation with various outbuildings for household activities. The property lines are close to the house, except in front, giving the impression that the former grounds must have been sold off.
This house was built before 1851, probably by Silas Dodge, who owned the property at that time. Dodge was a mason. Also in residence in the house was Rufus Dodge, probably the son of Silas, and also a mason. The Dodge family owned the home for several decades.
Before 1884, Robert Couch acquired this house. Couch was a prominent politician in Newburyport, serving as mayor in 1870 and 1881. He also served as a representative to the General Court of the Commonwealth in 1872. Couch supported local charities, contributing to the fund to rehabilitate the Tracy House for the public library. At his death, he left the house to several charities. Ownership was consolidated once again when the property was sold to Morris Checkoway in 1925.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 46-23-A/B · Zone R3
Zoning Board of Appeals may decide
In the DCOD. Whether removing more than 25% of the exterior walls needs a DCOD special permit depends on the building’s status in the 1984 National Register nomination, which this site has not matched for this lot yet; the Office of Planning and Development keeps the list.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1840, 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 →
From the archive
3 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.447