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. Due to 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 381 Front Street, Old Depot. In 1854, an Italianate passenger depot was built on the west side of Front Street on part of the present parking lot for the Brew Fish restaurant. At its new location on 381 Front Street (across the street), the Old Depot became a station on the New Bedford and Onset electric trolley line. At the time, there were only two other buildings in the area: the early 1800s home at 368 Front Street and a one-room schoolhouse, which was later demolished. The schoolhouse stood north of what is now 355 Front Street.
