In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Because of the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office). Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture. This installment features 28 Briggs Lane.
Running parallel to Main Street, Briggs Lane, formerly Back Street, is a narrow way extending from Mill Street (Route 6) to Pleasant Street. Before Main Street was extended from Pleasant to Mill Street in 1829, Briggs Lane was the old road connecting the southern section of Wharf Village with Main Street. Much of the charm of the south side of this street depends on the presence of an early- to mid-19thcentury dwelling at 28 Briggs Lane. This house may have been moved here from another location, as it does not appear on the 1855 or 1879 Marion maps. By the early 1900s, this house is shown on its present lot. At that time, it was owned by Seth H. Briggs, a “jobber.”