Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

94 Bicknell Street

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 ownership of this house at 94 Bicknell Street, sited on a large, elongated 26.547 square foot lot, can be traced to at least the 1890's when it was part of the large Hodgkinson Farm for at least twenty years. Michael Hodgkinson, who owned both this house and the one next door at 100 Bicknell Street, expanded his property holdings north on Bicknell Street to form the famous dairy and rhubarb farm. After Michael, the management of the farm passed successively to Benjamin F. and then George M. Hodgkinson. In 1923, Number 94 Bicknell Street was acquired by Robert E. Prescott, a machinist, and his wife, Clara L.

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:
This modest traditional house is set on a granite foundation as are all the residences on the street. Its orientation is gable end to the street with a side entrance. Once walled with wood clapboards it is now sided with vinyl. The front gable has short returns, an indication of a post Greek Revival structure (after 1860s) and the fenestration is regular. The simple bracketeted door hood is an Italianate element which is probably original to the house. It is located on historic Bicknell Street.

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