Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

2 Bayview Road (Taylor House and Boatyard)

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 sizable well-known dairy farm which passed through the Hodgkinson family until operations ceased in 1948.

The boatyard that is now operating on the old Taylor property is one of the few vestiges left of Germantown's nautical days. There are two interesting buildings on this waterfront property, a house which dates c. 1890 and a shop which was built as a barn c. 1900. Every inch of available yard space is crammed with very large boats and marine machinery. There is no doubt that the Bayview Road property was owned for at least 30 years by the Taylor family. -A previous survey stated a "Whiskey Taylor" ran a boat storage and repair shop on the premises but this cannot be confirmed by City Directory research.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Assessors Records.
Bartlett, Martha Maude. 'Ancient and Modern Germantown". Quincy Patriot Ledger, January 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:
Beautifully sited on the water, this 1890s residence, turned boat yard office, was built in the Queen Anne Style. Salient characteristics include a string course of staggered shingles used to visually separate the first floor from the second floor and the use of similar shaped shingles in the small and large gables imparting a picturesque quality to the house. The ground windows have retained their Queen Anne details, small square lights of stained glass surrounding a plain pane atop a single pane and the entrance still has stained glass side lights. Although the structure needs repair and better maintenance, it has kept its architectural integrity for it still retains its original massing, original walling material and details. Were it painted in appropriate Queen Anne colors, it would enliven the surrounding coast line. Adjacent to it is a Shingle Style barn, now turned into a boat yard and apartment. It is a simple shingled structure with a large opening for the boats and new windows in the gable for the apartments.

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