Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

47 Bradford Street

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Bradford Street was laid out in the 1890' s but this Queen Anne residence actually started its existence turned 45 degrees to the west facing Franklin Street. The house was originally built by the prosperous William L. Saunders and it was the Saunders residence from the late 1890's until at least 1923. Saunders, a stonecutter, was a partner in Long & Saunders, located at 2 Penn Street, a firm that designed and manufactured statuary, monument, tablets, headstones, curbing and posts and was large enough to sustain branch works at Stoughton and Beverly, Mass. In 1925 this well-maintained house was turned to face Bradford Street, apparently to make room for a one-story ccmmercial building, present address 144-150 Franklin Street, which wrapped around the conner of Franklin and Bradford Street.

Number 47 Bradford Street is located just off Adams Square which fronts on the historic John Adam Birthplace, 133 Franklin Street, and John Quincy Adam Birthplace, 141 Franklin Street, which are located on a large (23,756 square feet) property owned by the National Park Service. Adjoining historic Franklin Street, this property is one of three Bradford Street residences included in the Adams Birthplace Local Historic District.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Assessors Records.
Building Permit.
Robinson's Atlas of Norfolk County, Mass., 1888.
Atlas of the City of Quincy, 1897.
Atlas of the City of Quincy, 1907.
Atlas of the City of Quincy, 1923.
Quincy City Directories, 1888, 1898, 1910, 1915, 1922, 1927, 1930, 1935.
Quincy Patriot Ledger, Souvenir Edition, 1899, p. 31.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This is a fine Queen Anne house in the Adams Birthplace Local Historic District; the others are at 160 Franklin Street, defaced by additions and 1 Independence Avenue, fronted by a funeral home. This house was moved 45 degrees to accomodate a commercial structure, but it did not lose its architectural identity in the process. It has retained most of its Queen Anne characteristics, in particular the interesting corner angular bay window with twin hip roofs, the overhang of the second floor over the first floor, irregular fenestration and the pent roof over the facade second floor giving the house its picturesque silhouette. The fine front porch is supported by typical turned posts of the period and has a spindle frieze. The house has also retained its original walling material, scalloped shaped shingles and clapboards. The only change has been the filling in of the second floor balcony. It is one of the most attractive components of the historic district.

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