Charlestown Navy Yard, Ropewalk & Tar House, Boston, Suffolk County, MA

See also HAER No. MA-90-2, Ropewalk

Significance: The Ropewalk (Building 58) and the Tar House (Building 60) were the principal structures in the Charlestown Navy Yard's rope manufacturing complex. From 1838 to 1970 most of the cordage for the United States Navy's ships was produced in these buildings. The Ropewalk is the only building of its type in the nation which has not been significantly altered or moved from its original site. The Tar House is one of the least changed buildings in the Navy Yard. The granite faced brick buildings were constructed from the plans of Alexander Parris, between 1834 and 1838. Parris, a leading architect of that era, is best known for his design of the Quincy Marketplace, and for his role as Chief Architect of the Navy Yard (from 1825 to the 1840s). Rope, up to a quarter of a mile long, could be manufactured inside the 1325-foot-long by 45-foot-wide Ropewalk. Daniel Treadwell, an engineer and inventor, developed the innovative machinery, engines, and boilers for the mostly two story buildings. The Boston Redevelopment Authority acquired the Ropewalk and Tar House in 1973, when the United State Navy closed the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-357

Survey number: HABS MA-1247-A

Building/structure dates: 1838 Initial Construction

naval yards and naval stations roperies boston charlestown navy yard charlestown navy yard ropewalk tar house tar house suffolk suffolk county massachusetts navy yard historic american buildings survey alexander parris photo architecture us navy manufacturing plants manufacturing library of congress

1933 - 1970

Library of Congress

http://www.loc.gov/

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