Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

96 Chubbuck Street

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Quincy Point neighborhood, once called the Old Fields District, is bounded by Quincy Avenue (west), Elm Street (north), Town River Bay (east), and the Weymouth Fore River and the Braintree Town Line (south). Two major early roads, now heavily commercialized, originate in Quincy Center and run the length of Quincy Point: Quincy Avenue, the old Braintree-Weymouth Turnpike and Washington Street, the old Quincy-Hingham Turnpike terminating in the massive Fore River Bridge (1934). Although some inhabitants of Quincy Point were associated with the nearby granite and other industries, one of prime reasons for the development of the Point was the commercial maritime industry located on the Town and Fore Rivers. Quincy Neck, the site of the giant Fore River Shipyard (now General Dynamics), is delineated by Haywards Creek, the Weymouth Fore River and Bent's Creek. Some boat yards still remain, but many others used to dot the Town River Bay shoreline. The other major industrial complex is the Proctor & Gamble Manufacturing Co. located at the Fore River Bridge. Many residential developments sprang up in Quincy Point, one was Edison Park, an area north of Washington Street developed in the 1890's.

It is not known who was the builder of this interesting house on Chubbuck Street. Henry Glidden, a butcher, was the owner in 1876. In 1888 and 1897, "T. Nightingale" appears on the atlases, probably Thomas Nightingale of Southwest Quincy. By 1902 Frank H. Pray, an employee of nearby J. F. Sheppard & Sons, coal, sawed wood, and hay, was in residence and the Prays remained until 1927. This is a house that would greatly benefit from title and deed research.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
H. Hobart Holly. Quincy: 350 Years, 1974, p. 49, 51.
H. Hobart Holly. "Quincy's Granite Hills Were Golden". Quincy History. Spring, 1980.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This interesting house was built in a traditional style, with the longitudinal orientation to the street of the Federal Style and an entrance reflecting the Greek Revival style. The massing is the typical rectangular configuration of an early 19th century house with a symmetrical five bay facade and a central entrance. The regular fenestration consisting of two over two sash windows indicates that it was probably built after 1845 when these types of windows become available. The house still has its original wall covering, wood clapboard, joined at the corner by simple corner boards, and the original large central chimney. The portico was probably added in the early 20th century. The house is set on a low granite foundation and is fronted by a fine granite retaining wall, as are many houses in Quincy Point. The residence has retained its architectural integrity and is worthy of further research. It is a fine component on Chubbuck Street and a reminder of Quincy's mid-19th century days.

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