Completed Sample Building Info Form B.pdf - Boston Preservation ...

FORM B • BUILDING Assessor' Dumber USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
~._.ssachusetts Historical Commission
225 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
Boston-South
Town-Boston. Massachusetts
Place (neighborhood or village)
Beacon Hill I North Slope
D I'~S~
----------------
Photograph
Address
Historic
214 - 218 Cambridge Street
Name Puffer's Building
(3"x 3" or 3"x 5", only black and white)
Staple onto the left side ofthefonn. Indicate the address
of property on the back of photo. Indicate the roll and
film number of the negative here on form.
Sketch
Map
Ron
Film number
131006 1 and 2
aw a map showing the property's location in relation
.oJ the nearest cross streets and/or geographic features.
Indicate aU buildings between inventoried property and
the nearest intersectionis). Indicate North.
Use: Present Commercial
Original
-------------------------------
Commercial
Date of Construction 1890-1898
Source
Style/Form
ArchitectlBuilder
Exterior
Suffolk County atlases
Material
-----------------------
Queen Anne I Commercial block
Undetermined
-------------------------
Foundation ~S~to~n~e _
Wall
Roof
Red brick, stone, copper
Composition
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures N/A
------
Major Alterations (with dates) Alterations to
storefronts over time otherwise the building is very intact.
Condition G;::.:~oo~dl:t...- _
Moved 0 yes ~ no
Acreage 2370 square feet
Recorded by
Edward W. Gordon
Organization Boston Landmarks Commission
Date/month/year November 2000

t!J see continuation sheet
JILDING FORM
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
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Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within
the community.
The Puffer Building is a fine, relatively rare example of a masonry Queen Anne commercial block.The
building's design interest lies in the artful handling of the two principal facades' brickwork. Prominently
situated on a corner lot, the building rises five stories from a stone foundation to a flat roof. The first floor
exhibits a cast metal store front of fairly recent origin which has an antique appearance. The second through
fourth floors of the Cambridge Street elevation are divided into three bays: the recessed center bay exhibits
a bank of four cast metal enframed windows on each floor which are flanked by bays containing a single
window on each floor. Copper apron panels are located beneath the third and fourth floor windows. The
copper panels beneath the fourth floor windows read: Puffer's Building. Surmounting the bank of fourth
floor windows is a cast metal entablature. The single windows flanking the center bay on the second and
third floors contain 111wood sash while those of the fourth floor contain 212 wood sash. The flanking
windows are formally surmounted by cornice-headed terra cotta lintels which are supported by console
brackets. At the center of the fifth floor are four arched windows which are flanked by ornamental rectangular
brickwork panels. The main facade culminates in a handsome corbelled cornice.
The verticality of the monumental brick piers on the Irving Street side of the building is tempered by the
horizontal expanse of nine arched windows on the fifth floor. Brick piers rise four floors from granite blocks
on the first floor, dividing the Irving Street elevation into six recessed, square-headed bays.The three
center bays contain tripartite and two pairs of windows and are flanked on the left by a single window and
mSTORICAL
NARRATIVE [!J
see continuation sheet
Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of
the building and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community.
The Puffers Building was built between 1890 and 1898 as an investment property for A.D. Puffer,
Medford resident and the treasurer and principal partner in A.D. Puffer & Sons Manufacturing Company.
The Puffers were manufacturers and purveyors of carbonated beverages and "soda apparatus." Boston
Business Directories do not indicate that the Puffers ever housed one of their commercial concerns on
the premises, des~fact that "Puffers Building" is incribed on the building's main facade. During the
18908, A.D. P\,l~!~~~~~s Manufacturing Company was located at 38-48 Portland Street. The company
produced "app~atri; for'Jilaking and dispensing carbonated beverages." In addition, the Puffers also
manufactured 'lex.tta9t!,r"'Coloring,and every requisite for bottlers or dispensers use." By 1905, the
Puffers' compan~ located at 278-288 Congress Street and by that time, was a "branch of the
American Soda Fountain Company."
Puffers Building replaced a wooden structure that was variously owned by an"E.A. Prince (1874); a
Samuel D. Sawin (1883); and an Edward D. Kimball (1890).
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES D see continuation sheet
Suffolk County Atlases: 1873; 1883; 1890;1 898; 1908; 1912; and 1922
Boston City Directories: 1870 to 1960
Boston Building Department Permits
P.N .E.A. photo file
D Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
If checked. vou must attach a comoleted National Reeister Criteria Statement form.

INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET
r: . SSACHUSEITS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, Boston
Community: Form No:
Beacon Hill! North Slope '45&, '!l
Property Name: 214 - 218 Cambridge Street
Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
Architectural
Description
on the south by single windows set within two recessed bays. The southernmost bay exhibits a side entrance.
In general, the side wall's windows exhibit 2/2 wood sash. Three corbelled chimneys rise from the Irving
Street side of the flat roof. .
Historical
Narrative
The Puffers' ownershp of the building that bore their name was short lived. By 1908,214-218
Cambridge Street was the property of Joseph F. Me Greenery, cigar manufacturer. One of the
little known facets of the North Slope's commercial history is that several cigar manufacturies Were
established on the North Slope between the Civil War and the Great Depression. The building that
presently houses an evangelical Christian congregation at 246 Cambridge Street was evidently
built to house a cigar manufacturing concern during the late nineteenth century. In 1899, Mc Greenery
was a partner in John J. & Joseph Mc Greenery & J.P. Manning, Cigars, at 214 Hanover Street
in the North Bnd and at 138 main Street. By 1905, McGreenery is listed on Cambridge Street and
lived at 68 Crawford Street in Roxbury. By 1922 Joseph P. Manning owned the "Cigar Factory"
at 214-218 Cambridge Street. Manning's business address (main office?), however, is listed at 500
\tlantic Avenue on the Boston waterfront. Interestingly, Manning is listed at 66 Crawford Street in
.oxbury, next door to the McGreenerys.
By 1930, Puffers Building was occupied by Levenson Brothers, Cigar Manufacturers and Beacon
Hardware and Supply Company--the hardware store still occupies one of the building's two
first floor stores. In 1950, the Beacon Hardware Store is called Beacon Venetian Blind Company
and is listed again as Beacon Hardware and Supply Company in 1960. Also listed here in 1960
was the West End Veterans' Incorporated.
Staple to Inyentory form at bottom

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