Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

51 Coddington Street

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present house at 51 Coddington Street was part of a larger piece of property (14,210 square feet) belonging Ebenezer B. Hersey, a painter, in 1843. Hersey built the house next door at 57 Coddington Street, now separated from 51 Coddington Street by Tresland Way, and at the same time he erected a paint shop. There are several possibilities for the construction date of 51 Coddington Street. One is that because it has the same location and footprint it may be Ebenezer Hersey's paint shop, built in 1843, and converted to a residence. Another possibility is that John W. Hersey, also a painter, inherited his father's house, and he may have built the house to the west, 51 Coddington Street, on the old foundation. The City of Quincy Assessors Records assign the date of 1910 to 51 Coddington Street. This is clearly a structure with an interesting history that could benefit from further research.

Ebenezer Hersey bought the property, which included the present 51 and 57 Coddington Street, from Seth Spear and his wife Elizabeth in 1842. The Spears owned a large farm and this was the back of their property. By 1923 the Hersey property was divided by Tresland Way and 51 Coddington Street was owned by Harold F. LaCroix, a bookkeeper.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
H. F. Walling. "Map of the Town of Quincy",1857.
Atlas of Norfolk County, Mass., 1876.
Robinson's Atlas of Norfolk County, 1888.
Atlas of the City of Quincy, 1897.
Atlas of the City of Quincy, 1907.
H. Hobart Holly, Quincy Historical Society.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This two and one half story Italianate house is set on a granite foundation. Gable end to the street, its entrance is on the side indicating a side hall interior plan, characteristic of numerous Italianate houses of this period, especially those which followed the Greek Revival period. The only architectural ornamentation is focused on the elaborate scrolled brackets supporting the door hood. The fenestration is regular, two over two windows. The ridge roof is pierced by one small chimney and has returns at the gables; the corners have plain corner boards. It is a fine example of a modest Italianate residence which has retained its architectural integrity and original walling material, clapboards. It is a fine component of the Quincy Center Local Historic District.

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