Kennedy, F. A., Steam Bakery
Also known as: Kennedy Steam Cracker Bakery; Kennedy Biscuit Factory
Why it's listed
This red brick bakery complex in Cambridgeport was built in stages between 1875 and 1937 for the F. A. Kennedy Steam Cracker Bakery, later part of Nabisco. Thirteen interconnected sections form a U-plan building, four stories tall, with load-bearing brick walls, heavy timber framing, segmental arched windows and granite sills. Painted signs from several eras survive on its walls, and rows of brick bake ovens remain along the east wall. The Kennedy family business began in 1805 and moved to Cambridge in 1839, adopting steam power and reel ovens as it grew. The complex reflects how Cambridgeport became a center of heavy industry after the railroad arrived in 1853 and marshland was filled. Baking was among the city's leading industries in the early twentieth century. Most nearby factories were demolished in the 1960s, which makes this complex a rare survivor. Shoe manufacturing used it from 1952 to 1986, and it was vacant when documented.
Significance in brief: It is significant for its link to Cambridgeport's growth as an area of regional industrial importance and for its role in the baking and food processing industry. It is also a well-preserved brick industrial complex, made more notable because many neighboring industrial buildings were lost. The form finds local significance under criteria A and C.
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 89002285, listed January 4, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 129 Franklin St., Cambridge |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | January 4, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89002285 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1875-1937 |
| Architect / builder | Frank A. Kennedy; Cass, F. G.; Hopkins, Albert B.; Stearns, Marshall N. |
| Architectural style | No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture, Invention |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant/not in use, with work in progress; it was used for shoe manufacturing from 1952 to 1986. Several minor sections have been demolished. |
| Acreage | 1.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.36214, -71.10100 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 89002285.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5423804
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.