Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey
19 Cottage Avenue
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Number 19 Cottage Avenue was a new building in 1927 for one of Quincy's oldest and most respected businesses. The John Hall Funeral Home was officially founded in 1856 but John Hall, a carriage painter turned undertaker, had been keeping burial records since 1842. His son, the second of many John Halls, too learned carriage painting but soon established the first actual undertaker business in Quincy. John Hall II located the funeral home on Hancock Street and simultaneously carried on a lively hack and boarding stable business. John Hall III continued at the same site for many years but moved into the brand new building at 19 Cottage Street on February 2, 1928. Upon the death of John Hall III in 1931, the business was carried on by Mrs. Grace G. Hall. From the 1890's through the 1930's the Hall family had their personal residence in the large Queen Anne house at 1 McGrath Highway (present address) practically in the back yard of 19 Cottage Avenue.
Built in 1927 at a cost of $25.000, the John Hall Funeral Home, which included a five-room apartment, was designed and constructed by the popular architect and contractor. William R. Lofgren. A five-car one-story $2000 garage was built the same year. Lofgren had executed many Quincy commissions including being the builder for the Quincy Police Station (1925) and "The Georgian" apartment house (1929). As an architect he designed some churches outside of the city as well as several large Quincy residences. Lofgren was a native of Sweden and studied architecture both there and in the United States.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
In Quincy's business center, there are numerous fine traditionally designed small commercial structures; this is one of the best. The scale and proportions of its elements, the choice of classic detai1s all enhance this rectangular brick building, The elegant composition of the facade is dominated by the columnar portico supporting an angular bay window. A modilioned cornice is located under a stringcouse and a plain parapet which has inlaid panels with raised swags, Quoins articulate the corners and contrasting panels below the ground floor triple windows repeat the vertical element of the central section. This is one of the finest designs in Quincy of Lofgren, the architect. It is located only one block away from the Quincy Center.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Assessors Records.
Building Permit.
Atlas of the City of Quincy. 1907.
Atlas of the City of Quincy. 1923.
Quincy City Directory. 1904.
Quincy Patriot Ledger. 100th Anniversary.
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