Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

48-50 Quincy Avenue

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Quincy Point neighborhood, once called the Old Fields District, is bounded by Quincy Avenue ( west), Elm Street (north), Town River Bay (east) and the Weymouth Fore River and the Braintree Town Line (south). Two major early roads, now heavily commercialized, originate in Quincy Center and run the length of Quincy Point: Quincy Avenue, the old Braintree-Weymouth Turnpike and Washington Street, the old Quincy-Hingham Trunpike terminating in the massive Fore River Bridge (1934). Although some inhabitants of Quincy Point were associated with the nearby granite and other industries, one of prime reasons for the development of the Point was the commercial maritime industry located on the Town and Fore Rivers. Quincy Neck, the site of the giant Fore River Shipyard (now General Dynamics), is delineated by Haywards Creek, the Weymouth Fore River and Bent's Creek. Some boat yards still remai, but many others used to dot the Town River By shoreline. The other major industrial complex is the proctor & Gamble Manufacturing Co. located at the Fore River Bridge. Many residential developments sprang up in Quincy Point; on was Edison Park, an area north of Washington Street developed in the 1890's.

The Clapp-Roundy-Berry-Wendall house was built by George Clapp in 1835. Clapp is mentioned in Pattee's history as being a member of the 1844 committee to review the proposed railroad between Boston and Plymouth and to make the best arrangement for the town of Quincy. joseph F. Berry, no occupatoin listed, owned the house from at least 1876 to 1907. Michael M. O'Connell, a laborer, was the new owner by 1922, and the O'Connells remained past 1935.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
H. Hobart Holly. Quincy: 350 Years, 1974, p. 49, 51.
H. Hobart Holly. "Quincy's Granite Hills Were Golden". Quincy History. Spring, 1980.
Quincy Patriot Ledger, Souvenir Edition, 1899, p. 33.
William S. Pattee. History of Old Braintree and Quincy, 1878, p. 107.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Since this fine Federalhouse was built in 1835, it has undergone a few changes, but none have altered the chatacter of the house. It is set on a low granite foundation and has a compact rectangular massing typical of the period. The slate ridge roof is pierced by two chimneys. Tbe fenestration is regular, two over two windows, which might be replacements of the original multipaned sash windows done in the 3rd quarter of the 19th century. Tbe walling material bas been replaced for in the process the corner boards were removed. Tbe full1engtb portico, supported by classic columns is probably original to the house; it is fine Greek Revival element, the style of the house's building date. It is fine residence of the early 19th century of Quincy and one which would benefit from further research.

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