Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association

6 Stanwood Street - Historical Background

Submitted to:
Gloucester Historical Commission
March 28, 2016

Stanley Stone, W4HIX
Treasurer, Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association

Table of Contents

• SUMMARY
• INTRODUCTION
• CURRENT USE
• PROPOSAL FOR HISTORICAL RESTORATION
• CURRENT PHOTOGRAPHS
• MAPS
• EXTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHS
• HISTORY FROM GLOUCESTER ARCHIVES
• LIST OF IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS TO 6 STANWOOD STREET SINCE 1966
• 1867 DEED
• 2014 DEED AND LICENSE AGREEMENT

List of Illustrations

• FIGURE 1. EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING DURING RE-SHINGLING, 2015
• FIGURE 2. DETAIL OF CLAPBOARD CONDITION NEAR THE FRONT DOOR
• FIGURE 3. VIEW OF RIGHT FRONT CORNER WITH SHINGLES STRIPPED
• FIGURE 4. SECOND FLOOR IRON ROD SUSPENSION SUPPORT
• FIGURE 5. LAST FIRE ALARM BOX 51 - JULY 17 AT 4:00 AM, PROBABLY 1943
• FIGURE 6. SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING WITH NEW SHINGLES
• FIGURE 7. G.M. HOPKINS 1884 ATLAS
• FIGURE 8. ATLAS NAME: GLOUCESTER AND ROCKPORT 1884
• FIGURE 9. GLOUCESTER ATLAS 1899 PAGE 22, RIVERDALE, MILL RIVER
• FIGURE 10. SUBDIVISION OF SURROUNDING PROPERTIES, NOVEMBER 1890
• FIGURE 11. GLOUCESTER CITY ENGINEER'S COMPARISON OF MAPS MARCH 1958
• FIGURE 12. LATEST SURVEY OF 6 STANWOOD, AUGUST 2013
• FIGURE 13. GOOGLE MAPS IMAGES OF 6 STANWOOD STREET
• FIGURE 14. FRONT OF BUILDING
• FIGURE 15. WEST SIDE OF BUILDING
• FIGURE 16. NORTH AND WEST SIDES OF BUILDING
• FIGURE 17. EAST SIDE OF BUILDING
• FIGURE 18. DEED TRANSFERRING 6 STANWOOD ST FROM BETSEY TUCKER TO CITY OF GLOUCESTER

Summary

The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association is seeking affirmation from the Gloucester Historical Commission that "the building located at 6 Stanwood Street is of historical significance to the City of Gloucester." The structure served as Wheeler School and Riverdale fire station before CAARA acquired it in December 2014. The city owned the property for 147 years. CAARA is applying for a Community Preservation Act grant for exterior restoration.

Introduction

"The property at 6 Stanwood Street in Riverdale was purchased by the City of Gloucester in 1867 for $200." The lot measures 50' x 100'. The structure is "a two-story wood frame structure with a basement and is approximately 22' wide by 29' long." A kitchen addition measuring 14' x 14' was likely added in the 1960s-70s. The first floor features "11' high" ceilings and employs "a unique suspension method" using "two iron rods running from the front to the back of the building with turnbuckles" supporting the second floor.

Current Use

CAARA began using only the second floor in 1975, eventually expanding to the entire building by 1982. The facility serves as headquarters for amateur radio operations, training, equipment repair, and emergency communications. "The building is used for general club gatherings twice a week, plus monthly board and monthly member's meetings," along with monthly breakfasts supporting the scholarship fund and FCC licensing exams.

Proposal for Historical Restoration

"Shingles were installed in 1980 over the clapboards due to the poor condition of the clapboards." By 2015, the south-facing shingles had deteriorated significantly and were replaced with white cedar shingles. "The cost of re-shingling the front wall was approximately $5,500." CAARA intends to continue restoring remaining sides with matching cedar shingles and trim work.

Current Photographs

Figure 1. Exterior of the building during re-shingling, 2015. "Original shingles were installed over the clapboards in 1980 and painted."

Figure 2. Detail of clapboard condition near the front door. "Cedar shingles were applied over the clapboards in 1980."

Figure 3. View of right front corner with shingles stripped.

Figure 4. Second floor iron rod suspension support. "Rods probably support floor at previous column locations of the original school house."

Figure 5. "Last fire alarm Box 51 - July 17 at 4:00 AM, probably 1943." A preserved chalkboard on the first floor marks the final fire station dispatch.

Figure 6. South side of the building with new shingles.

Maps

Figure 7. G.M. Hopkins 1884 Atlas. "School house is shown close to Stanwood Street."

Figure 8. Atlas Name: Gloucester and Rockport 1884, Publisher: G. M. Hopkins, Publish Date: 1884; Location: Massachusetts.

Figure 9. Gloucester Atlas 1899 Page 22, Riverdale, Mill River, Publisher: George W. Stadley & Co.

Figure 10. Subdivision of surrounding properties, November 1890.

Figure 11. Gloucester City Engineer's comparison of maps March 1958

Figure 12. Latest survey of 6 Stanwood, August 2013

Figure 13. Google Maps images of 6 Stanwood Street

Exterior Photographs

Figure 14. Front of building with freshly shingled face, south facing.

Figure 15. West side of building

Figure 16. North and west sides of building

Figure 17. East side of building

History from Gloucester Archives

STANWOOD STREET #6

For Henry McCarl, by Sarah Dunlap, January 13, 2016

"1867, land bought from Betsy Tucker for $200, Wheeler School house built, lot size 50'x100'," for $1740. The structure remained listed as Wheeler School through 1903, though "not used at present for school purposes" as of 1882. From 1911-1920s, the building "housed Hose Company No. 2, a hose wagon weighing 2,100 lbs, built in 1904." The Fire Department ceased operations at the location in 1944 when "the Fire department no longer has it as a fire station."

List of Improvements and Repairs to 6 Stanwood Street Since 1966

"The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association has completed the following improvements and repairs, at no cost to the City of Gloucester, since 1966." The comprehensive list documents major restoration work estimated over $70,000, including roof replacement (1979, 2007), shingling (1980), complete electrical service upgrade (1993), plumbing overhaul (1988), heating system improvements, and extensive interior renovations through 2015.

1867 Deed

Figure 18. Deed transferring 6 Stanwood St from Betsey Tucker to City of Gloucester

Transcription of 1867 Deed

"Know all men by these present, That I Betsey Tucker of Gloucester in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, in consideration of two hundred dollars paid by the Inhabitants of the town of Gloucester..." The deed describes a parcel "in Riverdale" bounded by specific measurements, "fifty feet wide" by "one hundred feet" long.

2014 Deed and License Agreement