Harraden, Edward, House
Why it's listed
Overlooking the Annisquam River at the foot of a tall granite outcropping, this house at 12-14 Leonard Street began as a single-cell dwelling, perhaps built around 1660. Edward Harraden bought the property in 1656-57 and is believed to have built the oldest section soon afterward, as part of the fishing hamlet that grew up in Annisquam during the 17th century. Before 1765 the right-hand rooms and a rear lean-to were added, and later each end gained another bay. First Period framing is exposed only in the attic, but a mid-20th-century restoration photograph shows mortises, a broad chamfer and a lamb's tongue stop on the original end girt. The steep roof and collar beam mortises point to the same early date. Inside, Second Period raised-field paneling and a Federal mantelpiece survive. The house was listed for its well-preserved early framing and for its clear evidence of how small early houses grew.
Significance in brief: The house retains First Period framing, visible in the attic and in a photograph taken during mid-20th-century restoration, which supports its integrity of design, materials and workmanship (Criterion C). Opening the walls could yield information about First Period framing practices in Gloucester (Criterion D). It also clearly shows how a single-cell house was enlarged over time, including how the lean-to was joined to the original structure.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 90000212, listed March 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 12--14 Leonard St., Gloucester |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | March 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000212 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; Edward Harraden is believed to have built the oldest portion |
| Architectural style | First Period core; 19th C. vernacular exterior finishes |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recorded in good condition and in residential use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.65377, -70.67917 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 90000212.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5343325
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.