- Built
- c. 1863
- Style
- Italianate Italianate
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.589 ↗
History
8/4/2003 - 21434:598 - Victor B. & Emily S. Otto to Otto Nominee Trust
12/30/1974 - 06120:540 - Ethel B. Otto to Victor B. & Emily S. Otto
8/25/1944 - 03380:564-565 - Florence W. Thurlow to Victor G. and Ethel B. Otto
11/8/1897 - 1531:202 - L. Maria Barron to Miriam A. Thurlow
10/12/1881 - 1072:59 - Sarah Wheelwright and Mary Wheelwright to L. Maria Barron (wife of Asa Barron)
1/1/1863 - 646:18 - Ebenezer Wheelwright to Sarah Wheelwright and Mary Wheelwright
The 1851 map shows a structure much closer to High Street than the current building. The land for this building and possibly other sections surrounding it looks to have been owned by Ebenezer Wheelwright who is attributed as one of the original owners of 77 High Street. It’s possible that when this land was divided the earlier structure was removed and the current home at 69 High Street was built, around 1863.
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 33-29 · Zone HSRA
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. 1863, 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 →
More photos
2 views · Biff Bouse
More built 1860–1900
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.589