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 24 South Street. Built between 1830 and 1850, the Greek Revival house at 24 South Street was owned by Stephen C. Luce in 1855. George L. Luce owned this house from the 1870s until at least the first decade of the 20th century. He was the proprietor of the Marion General Store during the early 1900s. His business is listed as “groceries and dry goods, Main, corner Front.” By 1916, Ida and George I. Luce, a master mariner, lived here. In 1919, George I. Luce was the second assistant to Marion’s fire chief. In that year, he served as an agent for Marion’s School Committee. In addition to George I. Luce, James D. Luce, a clerk, and Louise B. Luce, the widow of John F. Luce, are listed in the town directory as living here in 1926.
