Quincy Electric Light and Power Company Station

The Quincy Electric Light and Power Company Station is a historic power station at 76 Field Street in Quincy, Massachusetts. Built in 1902, it is a well-preserved example of industrial Colonial Revival architecture executed in brick. It housed a coal-fired plant until 1920, and now serves as a local power substation. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.[1]

Quincy Electric Light and Power Company Station
Location76 Field St., Quincy, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°15′16.4″N 70°59′31″W
Area1.6 acres (0.65 ha)
Built1902
ArchitectShephard & Stearns
Architectural styleColonial Revival
MPSQuincy MRA
NRHP reference No.89001332[1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 20, 1989

Description and history

The power station is located on the north side of Field Street, an industrial area between Massachusetts Route 3A and the Town River, a tidal inlet of the Weymouth Fore River on Quincy's coast. It is a large brick structure, with three interior levels of work space. Its southern facade has three round-arch windows, set above recessed brick panels. The flat roof stands above a modillioned cornice, which is supported by brick pilasters at the building corners. A two-story addition extends to the east, exhibiting similar stylistic details.[2]

The Quincy Electric Light and Power Company was founded in 1888 by local businessmen to provide electricity to the community. By 1901, its customer base had grown to be the largest of all the electric companies in Norfolk County. It had this building constructed in 1902 to house a coal-fired power station, sited on the water to ease the delivery of coal. It operated the plant until November 1920, when it switched to purchasing electricity from Boston Edison instead. It continues to be used as a power distribution substation.[2]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "NRHP nomination for Quincy Electric Light and Power Company Station". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
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