Among the oldest buildings on Federal Hill, 57 Federal Street was a two story, 5-bay-facade, center hall-plan house with a single interior brick chimney and a central entrance with sidelights, located between Atwells Avenue and Broadway. While Federal-era houses of this style are not uncommon on the East Side of Providence, the Federal Hill neighborhood was largely undeveloped grazing land before 1820. Although 57 Federal Street was likely one of the oldest remaining buildings in the immediate area, it was not included on any historic resource survey, and was not listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Several of the building’s details remained remarkably intact, including the building’s clapboards and window sash. Unfortunately, the house was abandoned, with broken windows on the second story leaving the building completely open to the elements.
LOST: Despite efforts to preserve the building on behalf of PPS and the Providence Revolving Fund, 57 Federal was demolished in October of 2014. As of February, 2019, the lot is being used for parking by nearby residents.
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