H. M. Francis Historic Overlay District

This entry is about H. M. Francis and his architectural contributions to the town of Fitchburg, MA. He was a famous architect that made dozens of buildings over several decades. Many of those years he spent working with his sons Fredrick and Albert F., rebranding his firm as "H. M. Francis and Sons." This entry also delves into the buildings of his that are on Main Street.

Henry Martyn Francis (1836-1908) opened his architectural firm on Fitchburg's Main Street in 1868, renaming his company H. M. Francis and Sons in 1902 when his two sons, Frederick and Albert F., joined the firm. By the time of his death, H. M. Francis left an architectural legacy in Fitchburg and New England that included at least 30 school buildings, 25 churches, 15 libraries, numerous public and commercial buildings, and hundreds of residences, all in a variety of architectural styles. His sons continued to practice architecture in the city until 1943. The period of significance for this historical district thus extends from 1868 until 1943 and includes properties designed by H. M. Francis and H. M. Francis and Sons.

Francis also designed many commercial buildings along Main Street, six of which are still standing, including the Belding and Dickinson Building (1866), Coggshall and Carpenter Block (1877), Proctor Block (remodel, ca.1880), Phoenix Building (1893), Safety Fund National Bank Building (1894), and Cutler Block (1896), are a testament to the architectural beauty of commercial buildings designed in the late 19th century by H. M. Francis, as well as the historical legacy of Fitchburg. H.M. Francis was also responsible for a number of other civic and institutional structures in downtown Fitchburg only about half of those that have been identified remain extant.

As you might have guessed, the Rollstone Congregational Church, the building you’re at now, is not a commercial building. It was constructed for a very similar reason though, the people of Fitchburg! The Calvinistic Congregational Church was reaching capacity and with the housing boom on lower Main Street, they began discussions in 1867 to build a new church there, or rather here, in 1868. Unsurprisingly, it still serves as a church to this day. Not only is this the only non-commercial building he constructed on Main Street, it wasn’t even his first building here.

Francis’ first building on this street, the Belding and Dickinson Building, was constructed in 1866 as a commercial building. As you can see in the picture, it’s been home to a number of restaurants among other things. It’s currently home to a number of dining locations. His next building on Main Street, constructed in 1877 with a “Queen Anne '' architectural style, was the Coggshall and Carpenter Block. It’s mainly reserved for department stores and shops. Though originally constructed in 1832, Francis handled the remodel of Proctor Block around 1880, keeping its similar “Queen Anne '' architectural style. Although it has housed many businesses, from markets to pet stores, it is currently home to the music studio Grizz Gang Forever Studios. The Phoenix Building was constructed in 1893 with a renaissance revival architectural style. Though once used for commercial purposes like an apartment complex, it is currently the home of the Fitchburg Historical Society. The Safety Fund National Bank Building was constructed in 1894 and also had a renaissance revival architectural style. It was and still is a bank, although nowadays it’s a TD Bank, along with some other commercial uses. Francis' last remaining commercial building on Main Street has probably the saddest fate of all. Using a classical revival architectural style, Cutler Block was constructed in 1896. While it has been many things, from a bowling alley to a doctor’s office, it is currently a vacant lot.

Fitchburg Historical Commision Brochure

Rollstone Congregational Church

• “Pastperfect Online.” PastPerfect Online, http://www.pastperfect-online.com/. 
• MHC, https://mhc-macris.net/#!/details?mhcid=FIT.405.

Belding and Dickinson Building

• MHC, https://mhc-macris.net/#!/details?mhcid=FIT.412.

Coggshall and Carpenter Block

• MHC, https://mhc-macris.net/#!/details?mhcid=FIT.411. 

Proctor Block

• MHC, https://mhc-macris.net/#!/details?mhcid=FIT.210.

Phoenix Building

• MHC, https://mhc-macris.net/#!/details?mhcid=FIT.212. 

Safety Fund National Bank Building

• MHC, https://mhc-macris.net/#!/details?mhcid=FIT.418.

Cutler Block

• MHC, https://mhc-macris.net/#!/details?mhcid=FIT.419.