S-475

Elisha Sterling House

Architectural Survey File

This is the architectural survey file for this MIHP record. The survey file is organized reverse-

chronological (that is, with the latest material on top). It contains all MIHP inventory forms, National

Register nomination forms, determinations of eligibility (DOE) forms, and accompanying documentation

such as photographs and maps.

Users should be aware that additional undigitized material about this property may be found in on-site

architectural reports, copies of HABS/HAER or other documentation, drawings, and the “vertical files” at

the MHT Library in Crownsville. The vertical files may include newspaper clippings, field notes, draft

versions of forms and architectural reports, photographs, maps, and drawings. Researchers who need a

thorough understanding of this property should plan to visit the MHT Library as part of their research

project; look at the MHT web site (mht.maryland.gov) for details about how to make an appointment.

All material is property of the Maryland Historical Trust.

Last Updated: 11-18-2019

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Memo to file

September 11, 2019

From: Natalie LoukianoffPreservation Officer, OPS

Re: S-475Elisha Sterling House

During the course of a Section 106 review for a Somerset County CDBG undertaking, it wasdiscovered that the structure documented as Elisha Sterling House (S-475) had been previouslydemolished.

S-475 Elisha Sterling House Freeman town Private

c. 1890

Located in the historic black community of Freeman town, this two-story, three-bay

frame dwelling dates to the late years of the nineteenth century. Similar to other

structures in the village, the Elisha Sterling house has a center stair flanked by a single

room to each side. In contrast to other two-story single-pile dwellings, this house has

individual brick stove chimneys that rise through each gable end. A layer of asbestos

shingles cover the original plain weatherboards.

Although little is known about the early history of this house and lot, is has been

known as the Elisha Sterling house for the past several decades. With its essential

features intact, the house contributes to the tum of the twentieth century character of

Freemantown.

HISTORIC CONTEXT INFORMATION

ELISHA STERLING HOUSE

MHT Inventory Number: S-475 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MARYLAND COMPREHENSIVE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN DATA:

I) Historic Period Theme(s): ARCHITECTURE

2) Geographic Orientation: EASTERN SHORE

3) Chronological/Develop~ent Period(s): INDUSTRIAL/URBAN DOMINANCE 1870-1930

4) Resource Type(s): Single-family dwelling

•

Survey No.

~I' f ,...- '! \ r'. ;-"j y c [" • • MARYLMlD \:1" c:_ 11 i vii , S-475

Magi No. Maryland H1stoncal Trust I' I "T" - "' r- "~ ::- ~T =-s State Historic Sites lnventory 1 'f'O~··v rr,,.:-c..llll~

1. Name (indicate preferred name)

historic

and/or common ELISHA STERLING HOUSE

2. Location

street & number 3516 Freedomtown Road

city, town Crisfield ~ vicinity of

state county

3. Classification Category __ district __x__ building(s) __ structure __ site __ object

Ownership __ public __x_ private __ both Public Acquisition __ in process __ being considered ~not applicable

Status ___x___ occupied __ unoccupied __ work in progress Accessible -~ yes: restricted __ yes: unrestricted __ no

DOE ~yes no

__ not for publication

congressional district F i r s t

Present Use __ agriculture __ commercial __ educational _ entertainment _ government __ industrial __ military

__ museum __ park _x_ private residence __ religious __ scientific __ transportation __ other:

4. Owner of Property (give names and mailing addresses of ~ owners)

name Elisha and Grace Sterling

street & number 3516 Freedomtown Road telephone no.:

city, town Crisfield state and zip code Maryland 2 18 I 7

5. Location of Legal Description

courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Somerset County Clerk of Court liber No Deed

Reference street & number Somerset County Courthouse folio

city, town Princess Anne state MD 2 18 5 3

6. Representation in Existing Historical surveys

title

date __ federal __ state __ county __ local

pository for survey records

city, town state

7. Description

Condition _excellent _x_ good _fair

Check one _ deteriorated _ unaltered _ ruins __x_ altered _unexposed

Check one --1L original site _moved date of move

Survey No. S-4 7 5

Prepare both a summary paragraph and a general description of the resource and its various elements as it exists today.

The Elisha Sterling house is located at 3516 Freedomtown Road in the historic black community of Freemantown, east of Crisfield, Somerset County, Maryland. The two­story, three-bay frame house faces southeast with the gable roof oriented on a northeast/southwest orientation.

Dating to around 1890-1900, the two-story, three-bay, single-pile frame dwelling is supported on a low masonry foundation, and the exterior is clad with a layer of asbestos shingles over plain weatherboards. The steeply pitched gable roof is sheathed with asphalt shingles. Attached to the back of the main block is a single-story kitchen wing.

The southeast (main) facade is a three-bay elevation with a center entrance and flanking single-pane sash windows. The front door is partially glazed. Lighting the second floor are three evenly spaced single-pane sash windows. The edge roof is finished with a boxed cornice and the eaves extend on the gable ends with short returns at the base.

The northeast and southwest gable ends are alike with pairs of single-pane sash windows flanking interior end brick stove chimney that protrude through the roof. There are no windows that light the attic space.

Extending from the northwest (rear) wall of the main block is a single-story kitchen wing covered with vinyl siding. A side door is located in the southwest side.

The interior was not seen, but it was evident that a center stair hall separated a room to each side. A late nineteenth century style newel post anchors the stair railing.

8. Significance Survey No. S - 4 7 5

Period _ prehistoric _ 1400-1499

1500-1599 - - 1600-1699 _ 1700-1799 _K_ 1800-1899 _1900-

Specific dates

Areas of Significance-Check and justify below __ archeology-prehistoric _community planning _ landscape architecture_ religion __ archeology-historic _ conservation _ law _ science __ agriculture _ economics _ literature __ sculpture _L architecture _ education _ military _ social/ __ art _ engineering _ music humanitarian __ commerce _ exploration/settlement _ philosophy _theater __ communications _ industry _ politics/government _transportation

_ invention _other (specify)

Builder/ Architect

check: Applicable Criteria: and/or

A B xc D

Applicable Exception: A B C D E F G

Level of Significance: national state x local

Prepare both a summary paragraph of significance and a general statement of history and support.

Located in the historic black community of Freemantown, this two-story, three-bay frame dwelling dates to the late years of the nineteenth century. Similar to other structures in the village, the Elisha Sterling house has a center stair flanked by a single room to each side. In contrast to other two-story single-pile dwellings, this house has individual brick stove chimneys that rise through each gable end. A layer of asbestos shingles cover the original plain weatherboards.

Although little is known about the early history of this house and lot, is has been known as the Elisha Sterling house for the past several decades. With its essential features intact, the house contributes to the tum of the twentieth century character of Freeman town.

9. Major Bibliographical References Survey No. s _ 4 7 5

1 O. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property _________ _

Quadrangle name _______ _ Quadrangle scale _______ _

UTM References do NOT complete UTM references

ALJ_J I I I I 8 W I I 1 I Zone Easting Zone Easting

c LLJ .._I ....._..__....... _ __, D LiJ .__I ..._I ~ ................. ! L-1 ....___._-L-..-1.. ............. ....1

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F LU I I I .._I ............... _..___.......,......., G Li..J ._I ....._..__....... _ __, H LiJ I I I Verbal boundary description and justification

List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries

state code county code

state code county code

11. Form Prepared By

name/title Paul B. Touart, Architectural Historian

organization P r iv at e C on s u 1 t an t date 6 I 2 7 I 9 5

street & number P. 0. Box 5 telephone 4 l 0 - 6 5 I - I 0 9 4

city or town Westover state Maryland

The Maryland Historic Sites Inventory was officially created by an Act of the Maryland Legislature to be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 41, Section 181 KA, 1974 supplement.

The survey and inventory are being prepared for information and record purposes only and do not constitute any infringement of individual property rights.

2 l 8 7 I

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PS-2746

S-475

Dist. N'!7 SOMERSET CO.

Elisha Sterling House Freemantown, Somerset Co., MD

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