Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

80, 86, 90 and 94 Bicknell Street (Streetscape)

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.

This 80-94 Bicknell streetscape, selected to compare with a similar scene in 1915, reflects in a microcosm the evolution of Germantown. The first house in the foreground, 94 Bicknell, was owned by Michael Hodgkinson who started the prosperous Hodgkinson farm. Then comes 90 Bicknell, the home of a Germantown carpenter, and 86 Bicknell, residence of the Bennett family, who were jewelers. Last is the earliest house in the streetscape: 80 Bicknel1 Street. The home of Samuel Higgins, a shipmaster. A house that would have fit well into this streetscape is 53 Bicknell, the home of Naaman B. Holmes, a whaling captain.

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.
Photograph of similar streetscape, c. 1915. (Property of owner of 80 Bicknell Street).

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The Bicknell Street Streetscape is composed of four one and one half story modest cottages built from the 1830s to to the 1880s. In that span of fifty years, there has been little architectural change in this type of housing. All are simple rectangular structures (not counting their later additions), ridge roof, small chimney, simple fenestration and unadorned entrances. Two houses have kept their original walling material, number 90 and 86, while the other two have been sided with vinyl or aluminum. In spite of this, they are still recognizable in the 1915 photograph (see photograph of copy); the massing has remained unchanged, the orientation is the same and there is still the same picturesque quality of the scene with its rhythmical repetition of gable end ("traditional") to longitudinal front ("Cape Cod"). Across the street is number 53, a simple Greek Revival gable end to the street house with returns at the gable and an Italianate door hood added. Together with the streetscape, it creates an interesting and charming enclave of modest mid 19th century vernacular housing. It is a fine reminder of Germantown's past.

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