19 Union Street (UNT)
At a Glance
19 Union Street weaves together Nantucket’s maritime legacy and the inventive spirit of the Ewer family. Its story spans shipbuilding, whaling, and ingenious solutions to island challenges.
Highlights
• Built in 1803 by house carpenter Nathan Nye, reflecting classic Nantucket architecture.
• Home to Peter F. Ewer, who installed milestones and invented the harbor “camels.”
• Remained in the Ewer family for over a century, witnessing Nantucket’s transformation.
Did You Know?
• Peter Ewer’s “camels” allowed fully loaded whaling ships to float over Nantucket Harbor’s shallow sandbar—a vital innovation for the island’s prosperity.
20 Union Street (UNT)
At a Glance
A Federal-style home from the 1830s stands as a testament to Nantucket’s intertwined family legacies and the island’s early publishing history.
Highlights
• Distinctive five-bay façade and four end chimneys showcase classic Federal architecture.
• Samuel Jenks launched Nantucket’s first newspaper, The Inquirer, in 1821.
• The Inquirer and Mirror, Nantucket’s enduring local paper, traces its roots to this family.
Did You Know?
• The Inquirer and Mirror is one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the United States.
22 Union Street (UNT)
At a Glance
This historic house traces Nantucket’s changing architectural tastes, from colonial lean-to origins to a two-story landmark. Its story weaves together craftsmanship, relocation, and inventive reuse across centuries.
Highlights
• Began as a classic 18th-century “saltbox” with a steeply sloped rear roof.
• Once home to Thaddeus Hussey, a prominent soap and candle maker in 1809.
• Became the beloved Chopping Bowl restaurant, famed for lush flower gardens in the early 1900s.
Did You Know?
• The entire house was physically moved—twice—demonstrating the island’s tradition of relocating and repurposing historic buildings.
25 Union Street (UNT)
At a Glance
A storied residence dating to 1806, 25 Union Street has housed skilled tradesmen, merchants, and mariners, mirroring the evolving character of its neighborhood.
Highlights
• Built by the Rand family, renowned local masons, during a boom in early 19th-century construction.
• Served as home and workplace for bakers, coopers, and merchants, reflecting the area’s bustling trade.
• Features a distinctive four-bay façade atop a high brick basement, a hallmark of practical period design.
Did You Know?
• The elevated brick foundation was designed to protect against street flooding, a common challenge in early coastal towns.
35 Union Street (UNT)
At a Glance
This historic home has traveled across town, surviving multiple relocations and generations of families. Its journey mirrors the changing landscape and resourcefulness of a growing community.
Highlights
• Originally built for William Coffin on Chicken Hill, then moved twice in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Served as the longtime residence of blacksmith William Gurrill and his family of eight.
• Later owned by painter Arthur L. Johnson, reflecting the evolving character of the neighborhood.
Did You Know?
• In the 1800s, moving entire houses was common—crews used rollers, horses, and sheer manpower to transport buildings to new sites.
36 1/2 Union Street (UNT)
At a Glance
Sanborn Insurance maps chronicle the shifting landscape of Union Street, revealing the disappearance, relocation, and rebirth of homes over decades.
Highlights
• Sanborn maps were originally created to help insurers assess fire risk for properties.
• Victorian-era expansion often led to the removal or relocation of earlier homes.
• Elliot Barnard’s family ties influenced property boundaries and ownership for generations.
Did You Know?
• Some houses in Nantucket were physically moved across town on rollers rather than demolished, a common practice to make way for new construction.
45 Union Street (UNT)
At a Glance
A humble one-story building at 45 Union Street launched the Lewis family’s century-long role as Nantucket’s undertakers, shaping local traditions around life’s final farewells.
Highlights
• Ezra W. Lewis opened his first funeral parlor here in the late 1800s.
• The business expanded, prompting a new building by 1898.
• Locals affectionately nicknamed the site the “coffin shop.”
Did You Know?
• In the 19th century, undertakers like the Lewises often doubled as cabinetmakers, crafting both furniture and coffins for their communities.
47 Union Street (UNT)
At a Glance
Built around 1820, this “tenant house” showcases early 19th-century architecture and the legacy of mariner Thomas V. McCleave’s family. Its evolving structure and ownership tell a story of adaptation and inheritance across generations.
Highlights
• The house’s oldest section faces south to capture winter sunlight.
• Elevated on a high granite basement, it was designed to combat coastal moisture.
• Ownership was shared by four siblings for over 35 years after their mother’s passing.
Did You Know?
• The practice of joint family ownership often led to homes like this being managed from afar, with descendants maintaining ties to the property long after leaving the island.
2 Flora Street (UNT)
At a Glance
This early 19th-century house witnessed the ebb and flow of Nantucket’s fortunes, shaped by mariners, craftsmen, and shifting economic tides. Its walls have sheltered generations through prosperity and hardship.
Highlights
• Built by house carpenter William Taber and sold to mariner Thomas Fuller in 1831 for $600.
• Fuller’s widow and children lived here for over two decades after his passing.
• The house changed hands during Nantucket’s economic downturn, eventually selling at auction for just $225.
Did You Know?
• The dramatic drop in the house’s value mirrors the collapse of Nantucket’s whaling industry, which once made the island one of the richest communities in America.
