Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

52 Bicknell Street (Holmes-Hodgkinson House)

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Germantown, on the eastern shore of the Town River, was originally called Shed's Neck. It was one of the first planned industrial developments in the country and its present name dates from around 1750 when German craftsmen were brought here to manufacture glass and other commodities. Eight industries were planned and operated by Joseph Palmer and Richard Cranch and the town laid out on paper in named squares like a European community. The early industrial development faltered after a few years and it wasn't until the 1830's that a prosperous fishing community developed when a group of fishermen migrated from the outer Cape Cod. Some whaling voyages departed from Germantown shores in the 1840's and in 1856 the maritime character of the village was further enhanced by the establishment of the Sailors Snug Harbor, a retirement home for active seamen. Meanwhile, Michael Hodgkinson, one of those who had come from the Cape, started buying up land and developed a sizeable well-known dairy farm which passed through the Hodgkinson family until operations ceased in 1948.

The house at 52 Bicknell Street is historically one of the most important in Germantown. It was built by Captain Elisha Holmes who with his next door neighbor at 42 Bicknell Street. Captain Charles A. Brown, was one of the two principals in the deve1opment of the fishing community in the 1830's. In 1843 it was purchased by a James Bradford and in 1888 by a Franklin D. Rideout. In 1882 Benjamin F. Hodgkinson bought 42 Bicknell Street for his residence and in 1900 Number 52 Bicknell Street was purchased for George M. Hodgkinson, by then the farm operator. Both houses remained in the Hodgkinson family until 1955.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Assessors Records.
Bartlett, Martha Maude. "Ancient and Modern Germantown". Quincy Patriot Ledger. January 7. 1937. p. B-8.
"Germantown Heritage Days" Program. September 24, 25, 26, 1976.
H. Hobart Holly, Quincy Historical Society.
H. Hobart Holly, ed. Quincy: 350 Years, 1974, p. 51-52.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The Holmes-Hodgkinson House was built in 1832 in the then prevailing Federal Style. It is possible that both number 52 and number 42 were erected by the same builder as both are similar in their original massing. The Brown-Hodgkinson House has lost its pristine Federal look to additions and alterations, while the Holmes-Hodgkinson House has retained its architectural indentity, but not its integrity as it bas been sided with aluminum. Before 1900, a simple front porch was added to house. In "Germantown Heritage Days" Program September 2-4, 25, 26, 2976 there is illustrated a two story porch, "early 1900s" on 76 Bicknell Street which has the same treatment of the side: vertical boards ending in a saw tooth pattern and plain round posts supporting the shed roof. They were probably both added at the same time by the same builder. The architectural ornamention is focused on the lovely entrance which has a plain elliptical fan light and side lights, all fine elements of the Federal Period. The house is set on a granite foundation and has regular fenestration, composed of six over six sash windows. The house is an important component on historic Bicknell Street.

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