Brick Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brick Block
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 Location in Cape Cod
Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chatham, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Alden, Harvey Baily; Nickerson, Joseph |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000323 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1979 |
The Brick Block is a historic and eye-catching building located on Main Street in Chatham, Massachusetts. It was built in 1914 by a very talented builder who was a master at working with bricks. This building is a unique landmark in downtown Chatham and shows off amazing brickwork. Because it's so special, the Brick Block was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
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What Makes the Brick Block Special?
The Brick Block stands out on a busy corner in downtown Chatham. It's at the northeast corner of Main Street and Chatham Bars Road. This building is about one and a half stories tall. It's made mostly of brick, with some wooden parts that add to its charm. It's one of the biggest buildings in the downtown area.
A Closer Look at the Building's Style
The building's style is similar to English Revival architecture. Imagine a classic English country house, but built for shops! It has a gabled roof, which means it slopes down on two sides, like an upside-down "V". The roof has wide edges that stick out, supported by big wooden brackets.
You'll notice small windows sticking out from the roof on each side. These are called shed dormers. At the ends and the angled corner of the building, there are larger dormers with unique clipped-gable roofs. The smaller dormers are covered in stucco, which is a type of plaster. The larger ones are decorated with many different shapes made from bricks.
The Art of Bricklaying
The main walls of the Brick Block show off different ways bricks can be laid. Some parts use a pattern called "common bond," and others use "Flemish bond." These are special patterns that make the brickwork strong and beautiful. You can also see decorative sections where the bricks are arranged in artistic ways. Just above the foundation, there's a line of bricks standing on their ends, called a "soldier course." All these details make the Brick Block a true masterpiece of brick construction.
Who Built This Amazing Place?
The Brick Block was built in 1914 by a man named Joseph Nickerson. He was a master mason, which means he was extremely skilled at building with stone and brick. The building was designed by an architect from Boston named Harvey Bailey Alden.
Its Original Purpose and Today
When it was first built, the Brick Block was home to the local post office and several shops on the ground floor. The upper floor had apartments where people lived. It's interesting to know that the building is still used in a similar way today! Joseph Nickerson was originally from Worcester, but he came to Chatham specifically to work on this project. His family stayed in the Cape Cod area, and even today, some of his family members continue to work as masons, carrying on his tradition.
