SPERMACETI COVE 

 LIFE-SAVING STATION 

 Fort Hancock, New Jersey 

 Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area 

 Historic Structure Report 

National Park Service 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Historic Architecture Program 

Northeast Region 

SPERMACETI COVE 

LIFE-SAVING STATION 

HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT 

Sandy Hook Unit 

Gateway National Recreation Area 

Fort Hancock, New Jersey 

By 

James J. Lee III 

Architectural Conservator 

Historic Architecture Program 

Northeast Region, National Park Service 

U.S. Department of Interior 

Lowell, Massachusetts 

2008

iii

CONTENTS 

LIST OF FIGURES AND CREDITS .............................................................................. viii 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. xiii 

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................... 1 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................... 3 

Purpose and Scope........................................................................................................... 3 

Brief Description.............................................................................................................. 4 

Statement of Significance ................................................................................................. 4 

Research Conducted........................................................................................................ 5 

Research Findings............................................................................................................ 5 

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA ................................................................................................. 6 

Location of Site ................................................................................................................ 6 

National Register of Historic Places................................................................................. 6 

National Historic Landmark............................................................................................ 6 

List of Classified Structures (LCS) Information ............................................................... 8 

Proposed Treatment & Use.............................................................................................. 9 

Related Studies............................................................................................................... 10 

DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY ..................................................................................... 11 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT ............................................................ 13 

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 13 

U.S. Life-Saving Service and Sandy Hook ...................................................................... 13 

Duluth-type Station ....................................................................................................... 19 
iv

CHRONOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT AND USE ........................................................... 21 

Construction.................................................................................................................. 21 

Original Appearance ...................................................................................................... 24 

Introduction ............................................................................................................... 24 

Exterior Elements....................................................................................................... 26 

 Design ..................................................................................................................... 26

 Foundation.............................................................................................................. 27

 Walls........................................................................................................................ 27

 Doorways ................................................................................................................ 28

 Window Openings................................................................................................... 28

 Porches.................................................................................................................... 31

 Roof and Related Elements ..................................................................................... 31

 Chimney .................................................................................................................. 32

 Finishes ................................................................................................................... 33 

Structural Elements .................................................................................................... 33 

Interior Elements ....................................................................................................... 36 

 First Story................................................................................................................ 37 

 Second Story............................................................................................................ 41 

 Third Story .............................................................................................................. 44

 Fourth Story ............................................................................................................ 45 

Alterations ..................................................................................................................... 49 

U.S. Life-Saving Service and U.S. Coast Guard Years, 1894 through 1945 .................. 49

 Brief Chronology 1894 through 1945....................................................................... 50 

Sandy Hook State Park and National Park Service Years, 1962 to 2008 ...................... 66

 Brief Chronology 1962 through 2008....................................................................... 67 

CURRENT PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION.................................................................... 75 

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 75 

Exterior Elements .......................................................................................................... 76 

Design ........................................................................................................................ 76

 Main Block .............................................................................................................. 76

 Boat Room............................................................................................................... 76

 Tower ...................................................................................................................... 76 

Foundation................................................................................................................. 77

 Main Block .............................................................................................................. 77

 Cistern..................................................................................................................... 77

 Boat Room............................................................................................................... 78

 Tower ...................................................................................................................... 78 
v

Walls........................................................................................................................... 78

 Main Block .............................................................................................................. 78

 Boat Room............................................................................................................... 78

 Tower ...................................................................................................................... 79 

Doorways ................................................................................................................... 79

 Main Block .............................................................................................................. 79

 Boat Room............................................................................................................... 79

 Tower ...................................................................................................................... 80 

Window Openings...................................................................................................... 80

 First Story Exterior Window Elements .................................................................... 81

 Second Story Exterior Window Elements................................................................ 83

 Third Story Exterior Window Elements .................................................................. 85

 Fourth Story Exterior Window Elements ................................................................ 86 

Porches....................................................................................................................... 87 

 Front (East) Porch ................................................................................................... 87

 Back (West) Porch ................................................................................................... 87 

Roofs and Related Elements ....................................................................................... 88 

 Main Block .............................................................................................................. 88

 Boat Room............................................................................................................... 89

 Tower ...................................................................................................................... 89 

Finishes ...................................................................................................................... 89 

Interior Elements ........................................................................................................... 94 

Plan ............................................................................................................................ 94 

Basement .................................................................................................................... 94 

First Story ................................................................................................................... 95

 Room 101 ................................................................................................................ 95

 Room 102 ................................................................................................................ 97

 Room 103 ................................................................................................................ 99

 Room 104 ...............................................................................................................100

 Room 104a..............................................................................................................102

 Room 105 ...............................................................................................................104

 Room 106 ...............................................................................................................105

 Room 107 ...............................................................................................................106

 Room 108 ...............................................................................................................108

 Room 109 ...............................................................................................................109 

Second Story..............................................................................................................111

 Room 201 ...............................................................................................................111

 Room 202 ...............................................................................................................112

 Room 203 ...............................................................................................................114
vi

 Room 204 ...............................................................................................................115

 Room 205 ...............................................................................................................116

 Room 206 ...............................................................................................................117 

Third Story ................................................................................................................120

 Room 301 ...............................................................................................................120

 Room 302 ...............................................................................................................121 

Fourth Story ..............................................................................................................122

 Room 401 ...............................................................................................................122 

CHARACTER-DEFINING FEATURES AND 

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS..............................................................................133 

CHARACTER-DEFINING FEATURES...........................................................................135 

INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................135 

Exterior Elements .........................................................................................................136 

Design and Context ...................................................................................................136

Porches......................................................................................................................137

Doorways ..................................................................................................................137

Window Openings.....................................................................................................137

Roof and Related Elements........................................................................................138

Materials ...................................................................................................................138

Interior Elements ..........................................................................................................138 

Plan ...........................................................................................................................138

Floors ........................................................................................................................139

Walls..........................................................................................................................139

Ceilings......................................................................................................................139

Doorways ..................................................................................................................140

Window Openings.....................................................................................................140

Staircases and Related Elements................................................................................140 

Utilities ......................................................................................................................140 

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................141 

Exterior Elements .........................................................................................................141 

Interior Elements ..........................................................................................................142 

Plan ...........................................................................................................................143

Floors ........................................................................................................................143

Walls..........................................................................................................................143

Ceilings......................................................................................................................144

Doorways ..................................................................................................................144

Window Openings.....................................................................................................145

Staircases and Related Elements................................................................................145 
vii

Accessibility ..................................................................................................................145 

BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................147 

APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................151 

APPENDIX A Duluth-type Life-Saving Station, George R. Tolman, 1893 ...........................153 

APPENDIX B Original Specifications, Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, 1897 .....................167 

APPENDIX C. Field Notes: Measurements, Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway NRA, NPS, Richard Wells & Peter Dessauer, 1988...................189 

APPENDIX D Specifications for work of repairs and improvements at the 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Fifth District, December 1908...................................245 

APPENDIX E Paint Analysis................................................................................................253 
viii

LIST OF FIGURES 

AND CREDITS 

Figures 

Historic maps, drawings, and photographs were reproduced from the Gateway National 

Recreation Area (GATE) Museum Collection at Sandy Hook, unless otherwise noted. All 

photographs from 2007 & 2008 are by the author, unless otherwise noted. 

1. Location map for Gateway NRA and the Sandy Hook Unit. 

 http://data2.itc.nps.gov/hafe/hfc/carto-detail.cfm?Alpha=GATE#............................. 7 

2. Map of Gateway NRA, Sandy Hook Unit. 

 http://data2.itc.nps.gov/hafe/hfc/carto-detail.cfm?Alpha=GATE#............................. 7 

3. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station east elevation, 2007............................................ 8 

4. 1849 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station (GATE 782.52) .........................................14 

5. 4th District, Station No. 2, Spermaceti Cove, Sandy Hook, New Jersey; 

 1872 red house-type station. Demolished in 1929 (GATE 7481) ................................16 

6. 4th District, Station No. 1, Sandy Hook, New Jersey; 

 1872 red house-type station (GATE 7480) ..................................................................16 

7. The Bibb #2-type building at U.S. Life-Saving Station No. 1, 

 Sandy Hook, New Jersey (GATE 701.2)......................................................................17 

8. The 1849 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station after rehabilitation, 

 U.S. Coast Guard 1930 (GATE 2752) ..........................................................................18 

9. Front elevation of the Duluth-type life-saving station designed by 

 George R. Tolman (George R. Tolman, drawing No. 2, Appendix A) .........................19 

10. Cyma recta molding profile (http://www.traditionalbuilding.com)............................20 

11. Cyma reversa molding profile (http://www.traditionalbuilding.com) ........................20 

12. Plot plan of Spermaceti Cove, June 1903, depicting 200 square foot lot 

 with 1849 station near north lot line and 1872 station east of lot 

 (Cory Herrala. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

 Historic Landscape Report, 1848 – 1974) ....................................................................... 23 
ix

13. 4th District, Station No. 2, Spermaceti Cove, Sandy Hook, New Jersey; 

 after 1909 alterations (GATE 13353)...........................................................................25 

14. Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Chatham, Massachusetts, 1914 

 (Peggy Albee, Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Provincetown, Massachusetts, 

 Cape Cod National Seashore, S. Wellfleet, MA) .........................................................25 

15. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, ca. 1900 (GATE 606.5).............................26 

16. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

 east and north elevations, circa 1916 (GATE 7443).....................................................30 

17. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

 east and south elevations, circa 1916 (GATE 7444).....................................................30 

18. Framing of typical interior bent in Duluth-type station Boat Room 

 (George R. Tolman, drawing No. 6, Appendix A) .......................................................34 

19. Duluth-type life-saving station, south elevation framing of Main Block and Tower 

 (George R. Tolman, drawing No. 7, Appendix A) .......................................................35 

20. Duluth-type life-saving station first story plan 

 (George R. Tolman, drawing No. 1, Appendix A) .......................................................36 

21. Detail drawing of Pantry china cupboard 

 (George R. Tolman, drawing No. 3, Appendix A) .......................................................39 

22. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, first story plan 

 (Field Notes: Measurements, Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

 Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway NRA, NPS, 

 Richard Wells & Peter Dessauer, 1988) ......................................................................46 

23. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, second story plan 

 (Field Notes: Measurements, Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

 Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway NRA, NPS, 

 Richard Wells & Peter Dessauer, 1988) ......................................................................47 

24. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, third and fourth story plans 

 (George R. Tolman, drawing No. 1, Appendix A) .......................................................48 

25. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station circa 1910 (GATE 7437) ...........................49 

26. Plan of Spermaceti Cove Station, Fifth District, 

 U.S. Coast Guard, April 24, 1928 (Bearss p. 305).........................................................61 

27. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, east elevation Boat Room doorways 

 Capt. Joel Wolley and crew circa 1912 (GATE 13355).................................................62 
x

28. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, east elevation porch 

 Capt. Joel Wolley and crew circa 1912 (GATE 13354).................................................62 

29. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, during use by 

 U.S. Ordnance Dept. circa 1918 (GATE 8230) ............................................................63 

30. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, circa 1930, 

 east elevation exterior paint and steel tower north of station (GATE 7471)................63 

31. Plot plan of Spermaceti Cove, after 1920, 

 depicting 500 by 520 foot lot (Bearss p. 302) ...............................................................64 

32. U.S. Coast Guard, Spermaceti Cove Station, 1930, 

 east elevation porch (http://www.uscg.mil/history/stations/ 

 SPERMACETI%20COVE.html) .................................................................................65 

33. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station circa 1974 (GATE 5712) ...........................66 

34. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, circa 1974 (GATE 5577)...................................71 

35. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

 west elevation exterior of enclosed back porch, 2007 .................................................71 

36. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, circa 1975, 

 interior of Boat Room looking west (GATE 6403) ......................................................72 

37. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, circa 1975, 

 interior of Boat Room north wall enclosing wide doorway (GATE 6406) ...................72 

38. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, circa 1976, 

 south and east elevations after re-shingling of Tower (GATE 5620) ...........................73 

39. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, circa 1976, 

 south and east elevations of Tower and connector (GATE 5722)................................73 

40. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station east elevation, 2007 ..................................75 

41. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, south and east elevations, 2007........................90 

42. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, west elevation, 2007.........................................90 

43. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, north and west elevations, 2007.......................91 

44. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, north and east elevations, 2008........................91 

45. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

 cornice below cantilevered section of Tower, 2008 ....................................................92 

46. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, east elevation 

 Boat Room doorways (D105 and D106), 2007.............................................................92 
xi

47. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, east elevation Tower 

 window opening (W201), 2008 ...................................................................................93 

48. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, west elevation 

 dormer window openings (W207 and W208), 2007 ....................................................93 

49. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

 Room 101 looking east, W101, 2007 .........................................................................124 

50. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 101, D101, 2007...................................124 

51. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 102 looking south, D110, 2007 ............125 

52. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 104 looking south, 2007 ......................125 

53. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 104a ceiling, 2007 ................................126 

54. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 105 

 looking south into former Pantry and W108, 2007 ...................................................126 

55. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

 Boat Room/Room 109 looking southeast, 2007 ........................................................127 

56. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

 Boat Room/Room 109 looking northeast, 2007 ........................................................127 

57. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 205 D204, 

 Thomas Hoffman, 2008 ............................................................................................128 

58. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 201 W212, 2008 ...................................128 

59. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 205 W209, 2008 ...................................129 

60. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 206 

 interior view of clipped-gable roof framing looking south, 2008 ..............................129 

61. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 206 D205, 2007....................................130 

62. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 206 

 interior view of west dormer (W207 & W208), 2007 .................................................130 

63. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 301 W304, 

 Thomas Hoffman, 2008 ............................................................................................131 

64. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Tower 

 Watch Room/Room 401 looking southwest, 2008 ....................................................131 
xii

65. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P087, 2008 .........................................266 

66. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P089, 2008 .........................................266 

67. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P002, 2008 .........................................284 

68. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P006, 2008 .........................................284 

69. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P014, 2008 .........................................285 

70. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P039, 2008 .........................................285 
xiii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The preparation of this report would not have been possible with out the assistance of the 

staff members of the Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area. Lou Venuto, 

Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources, provided direction and coordinated the 

efforts of his staff. Thomas Hoffman, Park Historian, provided copies of existing records 

and documents, and access to the station as well as oral histories of the Life-Saving Service in 

New Jersey and at the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. Tom also assisted in getting 

access to the Squan Beach Life-Saving Station, Manasquan, NJ. Mike Thomas provided 

copies of Section 106 compliance records and The Sandy Hook Historic Structures Paint 

Plan. Mary Rasa, Curator, provided copies of historic photographs, plans, and maps in the 

Gateway NRA Museum Collection at Sandy Hook. 

The current report relied upon previous research preformed by Edwin Bearss on the 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. Peggy Albee Vance and Wick York shared their 

knowledge of life-saving stations and the history of the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station. 

Gordon Twaddell of the Manasquan Citizens Group conducted a tour of the Squan Beach 

Life-Saving Station and shared his knowledge of that station. Tom Laverty, N.J. Division of 

Parks and Forestry, answered requests about available resources at the State Archives. 

James J. Lee III 
xiv
1

INTRODUCTION 

3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Purpose and Scope

The Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Historic Structure Report (HSR) was produced by 

the Historic Architecture Program of the National Park Service’s Northeast Region. The 

purpose of the report is to document the development and use of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station. Furthermore, it is intended to inform and guide the rehabilitation of that 

historic structure. 

The scope of the HSR includes the “thorough” 1 research and investigation of the existing 

Spermaceti Cove station, which is a Duluth-type life-saving station. The HSR includes the 

development of the Duluth-type station and documents the original appearance of the 1894 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. The HSR records alterations to the structure, the 

building’s existing architectural elements, identifies the character-defining features of the 

structure, and makes general recommendations for treatment. The HSR contains 

“Chronology of Development and Use,” “Current Physical Description,” and “CharacterDefining Features and Recommendations” for the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, as 

well as an appendix on paint analysis, in accordance with National Park Service (NPS) 

standards and as outlined in Director’s Order - 28. 

The developmental history of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was documented in a 

1983 report by Edwin Bearss entitled Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station Historic Resources 

Study and Historic Structure Report. In that report Mr. Bearss records the history of the LifeSaving Service at Spermaceti Cove including the social history and the history of the lifesaving structures on the site from 1849 through 1941. Mr. Bearss also records the history of 

the U.S. Life-Saving Service from inception through the formation of the U.S. Coast Guard. 

So as not to duplicate his research and report, the current Historic Structure Report (HSR) 

does not include a history of the Life-Saving Service but does discuss events and 

developments that had a direct relation to the life-saving structures at Spermaceti Cove. 

In addition to Mr. Bearss’ report, the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station HSR draws upon 

previous research of U.S. Life-Saving Service and Stations including the, The U.S. Life-Saving 

Service by Ralph Shanks, Wick York, and Lisa Woo Shanks and the Old Harbor Life-Saving 

Station, Historic Structure Report, Provincetown, Massachusetts, by Peggy Albee, which was 

also a Duluth-type life-saving station.2

 

 1

 Director’s Order - 28, Cultural Resource Management Guideline, 1997, Chapter 2, pg. 18: 

Thorough Investigation: For Historical studies this means research in selected published and 

documentary sources of known or presumed relevance that are readily accessible without extensive 

travel and that promise expeditious extraction of relevant data, interviewing all knowledgeable 

persons who are readily available, and presenting findings in no greater detail than required by the 

task directive. 

2

 Peggy Albee, Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Provincetown, Massachusetts, Cape Cod National 

Seashore, S. Wellfleet, MA. (Boston, MA: U.S. DOI, NPS, NAR, CRC, BCB, June 1988). 
4

Brief Description 

Spermaceti Cove on Sandy Hook was among the sites where the first U.S. Life-Saving 

Stations were constructed in the mid-nineteenth century. As the U.S. Life-Saving Service 

expanded in the nineteenth century a new station was constructed at Spermaceti Cove. The 

present Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is a Duluth-type station constructed in 1894 that 

was based on the 1893 station design by George R. Tolman. It was one of at least twenty-eight 

Duluth type stations constructed for the U.S. Life-Saving Service3

 and the extant structure 

survives as an example of that station type. 

The Duluth-type life-saving station consists of three building sections that form the station; a 

one-and-a-half story Main Block; a one-story Boat Room; and a four-story Watch Tower. At 

the Spermaceti Cove station the Main Block is the southern section, the Boat Room is to the 

north and the Tower is positioned on the east side of the building at the corner where the 

Main Block and the Boat Room meet. All three sections of the station are adjoined on the 

first story and at the second story a Tower connector extends between the Main Block and 

the Tower (see the subsequent section “Developmental History”). 

The Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station currently serves as the Sandy Hook Visitor Center 

providing area visitors with information on Sandy Hook and Gateway NRA. It also houses 

exhibits on the U.S. Life Saving Service and the natural environs of Sandy Hook, and includes 

a merchandising area and public restrooms. However the Park General Management Plan 

(GMP) recommends relocating the visitors’ services to a building at Fort Hancock. That 

would allow for the rehabilitation of the life-saving station and the continued use of the 

building as a public museum. 

Statement of Significance

The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was listed on the National Register of Historic 

Places as the Fort Hancock U.S. Life-Saving Station in November 1981 and has national 

significance. The station and is considered significant within Criteria A as reflecting the 

history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the U.S. Coast Guard and within Criteria C as 

embodying distinctive characteristics of a particular period and type of construction. The 

station is part of the Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District (April 

24, 1980) and was also listed as a contributing structure to the Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook 

Proving Ground National Historic Landmark in 1982. 

 3

 Ralph Shanks, Wick York, and Lisa Woo Shanks. The U.S. Life-Saving Service, Heroes, Rescues and 

Architecture of the Early Coast Guard. (Petaluma, CA: Costaño Books, 1996) p. 236. 
5

Research Conducted

This HSR documents the evolution of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station relying on 

physical investigation of extant materials and documentary research using both primary and 

secondary sources. Repositories consulted and utilized for materials pertaining to the subject 

are as follows: 

Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet, MA; 

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Manteo, NC; 

Gateway NRA Museum Collection, Gateway National Recreation Area, 

Sandy Hook Unit, Fort Hancock, NJ; 

Monmouth County Historical Association, Freehold, NJ; 

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT; 

National Archives and Records Administration, Northeast Region, New York, NY; 

NPS, Historic Architecture Program Library, Lowell, MA; 

New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, NJ; 

U.S. Coast Guard Academy Library, New London, CT; 

U.S. Coast Guard Historians Office, Washington, DC; 

U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association, Hull, MA. 

Research Findings

As previously described, the report by Mr. Bearss, Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

Historic Resources Study and Historic Structure Report, included a comprehensive 

compilation of the history of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station through 1941. This 

HSR includes chronologies of building alterations for that same period and expands the 

building history through the present. Review of the reports, photographs, maps and 

drawings available in the Gateway NRA Museum Collection provided background for further 

research and physical investigation of the life-saving station. 

The current research determined that although the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

has had numerous alterations over the past one-hundred fourteen years the building retains 

its historic appearance. The exterior of the building retains the original massing of the 

station and there are some extant historic exterior elements. In addition, some of the 

alterations over the years, including painting the exterior wall shingles, enclosing the 

porches, and adding the Tower catwalk, have been reversed in an effort to restore the 

station’s historic appearance. 

The interior of the station was most significantly altered on the first story. Many interior 

walls, ceilings, doorways, and window openings were altered in some manner. However, the 

Boat Room has had fewer changes and there are extant historic materials throughout that 

section of the station. This was also true of the second story of the Main Block of the station, 

as well as the upper stories of the Tower. The physical evidence coupled with documentary 

and photographic evidence provided a better understanding of the original structure and the 

alterations that have taken place. 
6

ADMINISTRATIVE 

DATA 

Location of Site

The Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area is composed of 26,000 acres. 

Sandy Hook consists of approximately 2,044 acres located in Monmouth County, 

Middletown, New Jersey, on a peninsula that begins east of the town of Highlands and 

extends north to the Sandy Hook Channel. Spermaceti Cove is located in Sandy Hook Bay at 

the southern end of the peninsula. The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is situated 

adjacent to the cove on the Atlantic Ocean side of Sandy Hook. 

National Register of Historic Places

The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is part of the Fort Hancock and the Sandy 

Hook Proving Ground Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 

April 24, 1980. The life-saving station was individually listed on the National Register of 

Historic Places November 30, 1981 as the Fort Hancock U.S. Life-Saving Station. The station 

is considered to have national significance under Criteria A and Criteria C. 

National Historic Landmark

The Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District was listed as a 

National Historic Landmark (NHL) on December 17, 1982. As part of the historic district the 

NHL nomination acknowledges the significance of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

as one of the earliest sites of the Federally-sponsored efforts to save the lives and property of 

coastal shipwrecks. 
7

Figure 1. Location map for Gateway NRA and the Sandy Hook Unit. 

Figure 2. Map of Gateway 

NRA, Sandy Hook Unit. The 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving 

Station is marked as the 

Sandy Hook Visitor Center. 
8

List of Classified Structures (LCS) Information

The following is selected LCS information for the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station:4

Preferred Structure 

Name: 

Spermaceti Cove - #2 Life Saving Station 

Structure Number: SH - 436 

Other Structure Names: Fort Hancock, U.S. Life Saving Station 

Spermaceti Cove No. 2 Life Saving Service Station 

LSC ID: 008624 

National Register Status: Entered – Documented 

National Register Date: 11/30/1981 

Significance Level: National 

 4

 List of Classified Structures-Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit (National Park 

Service website http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov). 

Figure 3. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station east elevation. 
9

LCS information for the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station Continued: 

Long Significance 

Description: 

The waters off the New Jersey coast & Long Island proved 

consistently hazardous to mariners despite the presence of 

lighthouses, and continued appalling loss of life compelled 

the creation in the 1840s of the first unit of what was to 

become the U.S. Life Saving Service in the 1870s. The 

Spermaceti Cove LS Station was built in 1894, and in 1962 its 

porch was enclosed and main entrance moved. 

The building is significant under National Register Criteria 

A as reflecting the history of the U.S. Life Saving Service and 

the U.S. Coast Guard and under National Register Criteria C 

as embodying distinctive characteristics of a particular 

period and type of construction. 

Long Physical 

Description: 

Shingle-style building comprised of a 1 1/2 story main 

section w/ a jerkin-head roof, a 1-story, 2-bay gable-roof 

boathouse set on piers on W end, a 4-story hip-roof tower, 

and an enclosed porch. The second floor of the tower is 

accessed from the main house via a gable-roof connector. 

The tower's 4th floor has a cantilevered balcony on 4 sides. 

Management Category: Must Be Preserved and Maintained 

Proposed Treatment & Use

As previously described, the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is currently used as 

the Sandy Hook Visitors Center and contact station that includes a museum, merchandising 

area and bathroom facilities. The NPS also has offices and restrooms on the second story of 

the station. 

The 1979 General Management Plan (GMP) and 1990 GMP Amendment for Gateway NRA 

define two management zones at Sandy Hook. The zones are delineated as the north area, 

dominated by Fort Hancock, and the south area, which focuses more on natural resources 

and has more recreational use.5

 The Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is at the southern 

end of Sandy Hook and falls within the management of the recreational area. 

The plans for the northern area of Sandy Hook include the creation of the Fort Hancock 

Gateway Village within that section of the Fort Hancock Historic District. Included in that 

plan is the establishment of visitor services at Fort Hancock, Building #25. The creation of 

that facility will move that function from the Sandy Hook Visitors Center at Spermaceti Cove 

and allow for the rehabilitation and reinterpretation of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving 

Station. 

The overall treatment plan for historic structures in the Fort Hancock Historic District is 

rehabilitation according to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Under 

 5 General Management Plan Amendment. (Department of the Interior, NPS, Jan. 1990) p. 8. 
10

this treatment the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station will be rehabilitated, which mandates 

the overall preservation of the station and will include the restoration of some historic 

elements. This treatment will permit the continued use of the station as a museum and the 

retention of modern facilities while allowing for a more in depth interpretation of the 

building as a U.S. Life-Saving Station. 

This HSR does not contain a section on landscape characteristics. However, they are 

important to the history and context of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. The 

information regarding the landscape presented in the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

Historic Landscape Report, 1848 - 1974 should be consulted prior to any work on the site.6

 

Related Studies

Michael Adlerstein, Kay Roush, David Turello et al, General Management Plan, Gateway 

National Recreation Area, New York / New Jersey (U.S. Department of the Interior, 

National Park Service, Aug. 1979). 

Peggy Albee, Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Historic Structure Report, Provincetown, 

Massachusetts, Cape Cod National Seashore, S. Wellfleet, MA. (Boston, MA: NPS, NAR, 

CRC, BCB, June 1988). 

Edwin C. Bearss, Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station Historic Resources Study and 

Historic Structure Report (Denver: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park 

Service, January 1983). 

J.W. Dalton, The Life Savers of Cape Cod. (Boston, MA: The Barta Press, 1902; reprinted 

by The Chatham Press, Old Greenwich, CT). 

Richard E. Greenwood, National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination 

Form, “Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District,” June 28, 

1976, revised November 9, 1982. 

Cory Herrala, edited by Thomas J. Hoffman. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

Historic Landscape Report, 1848 – 1974. Unpublished draft copy, Sandy Hook Unit, 

Gateway NRA, August 2004. 

Ralph Shanks, Wick York and Lisa Woo Shanks, The U.S. Life-Saving Service, Heros, 

Rescues and Architecture of the Early Coast Guard. (Petaluma, CA: Costaño Books, 1996). 

Richardo Torres-Reyes & Jonathan Fricker, National Register of Historic Places 

Inventory - Nomination Form, “Fort Hancock Life-Saving Station/ The Spermaceti Cove 

No. 2 Life-Saving Station,” April 1975, updated March 1980. 

 6

 Cory Herrala, edited by Thomas J. Hoffman. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Historic 

Landscape Report, 1848 – 1974 (unpublished draft copy, Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway NRA, August 

2004). 
11

DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY 

13

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND 

CONTEXT 

Introduction

The history of Sandy Hook has been documented in several previous publications including 

Historic Resource Studies by Edwin Bearss and Historic Structure Reports by Historic 

Architecture Program staff. The contextual information that is important to understanding 

the history of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is the early history of the United 

States Life-Saving Service and the Life-Saving Stations at Sandy Hook, particularly the 

stations at Spermaceti Cove. The history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service is the subject of 

other scholarly publications including: Ralph Shanks and Wick York, The U.S. Life-Saving 

Service; J.W. Dalton, The Life Savers of Cape Cod; Dennis L. Noble, That Others Might Live: 

The U.S. Life-Saving Service, 1878-1915. Though the U.S. Life-Saving Service was not 

officially formed until 1878, the terms life-saving establishment, life-saving service, and lifesaving station are commonly used in reference to the earliest rescue organizations in this 

report and others. The history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service at Sandy Hook was aptly 

documented and described in Edwin Bearss’ Historic Resource Study and Historic Structure 

Report, Historical Data Section, Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, published in 1983. The 

following sections will summarize the pertinent points regarding the history of the U.S. LifeSaving Service and the life-saving activities at Sandy Hook and will also elaborate on the 

history of the Duluth-type life-saving station, which was the type of station constructed at 

Spermaceti Cove in 1894. 

U.S. Life-Saving Service and Sandy Hook

The first organized life-saving efforts in the United States was the Massachusetts Humane 

Society founded in 1785, which became the model and impetus for the creation of a larger 

service dedicated to saving the lives and property from shipwrecks.7

 Congressman William 

A. Newell of New Jersey advocated for government involvement in life-saving and in 1848 he 

proposed the government provide $10,000 for “surfboats, rockets, carronades (line throwing 

mortars), and other necessary apparatus for the better preservation of life and property from 

shipwrecks on the coast of New Jersey lying between Sandy Hook and Little Egg Harbor.” 

Upon government approval of the appropriation, the fledgling service was placed in the 

command of the Revenue Marine Bureau under the U.S. Treasury Department. Captain 

 7

 Shanks and York, pp. 2 – 7. 
14

Douglass Ottinger was in charge of establishing the 

stations in New Jersey including Sandy Hook. 8

The first station constructed at Sandy Hook by the 

Revenue Marine Bureau was completed in 1849 (fig. 

4). The building was a rectangular structure with a 

gable roof. It was a wood framed building that 

would have housed a surfboat, life-car, boat-wagon, 

and requisite supplies for life-saving. The lifesaving station would have also served as a 

temporary refuge for shipwreck survivors. This 

structure was built near Spermaceti Cove and the 

key to the building was turned over to the Board of 

New York Underwriters on August 4th.

9

 

Over the next twenty years the federal life-saving establishment was expanded and more 

rescue stations were constructed. However, the stations were manned with volunteer crews; 

there were no regulations or standards of practice, and no mandated reports. The stations 

functioned like this until 1871, which became a critical year for the service. In April of that 

year Congress approved a $200,000 bill to create a life-saving system that included paid 

surfmen and the construction of additional stations. The Secretary of the Treasury 

appointed Sumner Increase Kimball to implement and manage the new system, and ordered 

Captain John Faunce to survey the existing life-saving stations. Captain Faunce reported that 

many of the stations were in poor repair; the crews were unfit for service; and the stations 

were spaced too far apart.10 On Faunce’s recommendations Sumner Kimball had several new 

stations constructed and some existing stations repaired in 1872.11

The 1849 Spermaceti Cove station was among the existing stations that were to be repaired 

and improved. The plan was to move the building 160 yards southeast of its original location, 

make a 12-foot addition to the structure and raise the roof 31⁄2 feet. However, the bids for this 

project were considered too high and it was determined to replace the 1849 station with a 

new building.12 

A new station at Spermaceti Cove was part of a contract for the construction of twenty-five 

life-saving stations on the New Jersey coast. The Spermaceti Cove station was completed by 

December 1872 (fig. 5) and was based on the plans and specifications recommended by 

Captain Faunce.13 The new stations were described in the 1872 Annual Report of the 

Revenue Marine Bureau: 

All these houses have been constructed under plans and specifications 

carefully prepared with a view to durability, and affording proper 

 8

 Shanks and York, p. 7. 

9

 Bearss, p. 12. Note: Treasury Secretary Robert Walker solicited the assistance of the Board of 

New York Underwriters in establishing the first rescue stations (Bearss, p. 7). Insurance underwriters 

and shipping companies paid for the loss of cargo and vessels after a shipwreck and therefore had an 

interest in establishing the first life-saving stations (Shanks and York, p. 7). 10 Shanks and York, pp. 7 – 8. 

11 Bearss, pp. 35 – 38. 

12 Ibid, p. 37. 

13 Ibid. 

Figure 4. 1849 Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station. 
15

accommodations for the apparatus and means of providing 

comfortable protection to the crews and relief to those who may be 

rescued from shipwreck. They are 42 feet long by 18 wide, and each 

contains a lower and an attic story. Each story is divided into two 

apartments. The boats, wagon, and other heavy apparatus occupy the 

large apartment below, while the smaller one is a living room for the 

crew, provided with conveniences for cooking. Above, one room is for 

the small articles of apparatus, and the other is provided with several 

cot-beds and suitable bedding.14

The 1872-type stations were constructed with wood shingle exterior walls and wood shingle 

roofs and were often referred to as red houses since many were painted that color. 15 

When the construction of the new stations was contracted it was stipulated that the 

contractor would be deeded the existing stations to use for materials in the new structures. 

However, upon the completion of the new station at Spermaceti Cove it was decided to retain 

the 1849 building. The structure was in good condition and could be adapted for use as a 

horse stable. The Secretary of the Treasury approved the purchase of the old building back 

from the contractor and the Keeper at Spermaceti Cove brokered the deal.16

When Sumner Kimball took over the Revenue Marine Bureau in 1872 he organized it into 

districts and increased the number of stations within each district. Each station was in turn 

assigned a numerical designation. At the time the New Jersey stations formed the Fourth 

District; a new 1872 life-saving station at the tip of Sandy Hook was designated station No. 1 

and the 1872 Spermaceti Cove station became station No. 2.17 Sandy Hook station No. 1 was 

also constructed under the contract for multiple stations in New Jersey and followed the 

plans previously described (fig. 6). Sandy Hook now had two red house-type stations serving 

the Revenue Marine Bureau’s life-saving mission. 

Over the next several years the service was expanded along the Atlantic coastline and the 

Great Lakes. On June 18, 1878 legislation was signed by President Rutherford Hayes to 

“Organize the Life-Saving Service into a Separate Bureau.” This was the official formation of 

the United States Life-Saving Service that had essentially been started in 1848. Sumner 

Increase Kimball was unanimously confirmed as the General Superintendent of the U.S. LifeSaving Service.18 

Red house stations No. 1 and No. 2 were in active service at Sandy Hook in 1872 (figs. 5 & 6). 

The practice drills, patrols, rescues, shipwrecks, and other activities at the stations were 

documented by the log books and journals, which became required under the reforms by 

Sumner Kimball. The log books for the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station began on 

January 16, 1872 and recorded the activity at the station during the life-saving season that 

generally extended from mid - November through mid - April.19 

 14 Shanks and York, p. 215; also York, p. 14. Copied from: Annual Report of the Chief of the Revenue 

Marine Bureau (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1872), p. 28. 15 Shanks and York, p. 215. 

16 Bearss, p. 39. 

17 Hoffman, p. 2. Note: The U.S. Life-Saving Service was eventually divided into thirteen districts 

and by 1914 New Jersey had been designated as the Fifth District (Shanks and York, p. 13). 18 Bearss, pp. 57 – 59; Shanks and York, p. 13. 

19 Bearss, p. 41. Bearss documents that the crews usually reported for duty in November or 

December and were relieved from duty at the end of March or in early April. 
16

Figure 5. 4th District, Station No. 2, Spermaceti Cove, Sandy Hook, New 

Jersey; 1872 red house-type station. Demolished in 1929. 

Figure 6. 4th District, Station No. 1, Sandy Hook, New Jersey; 1872 red 

house-type station. 
17

The red house stations served as the Life-Saving Stations at Sandy Hook for two decades. 

However station No. 1 was interfering with the activities at the Sandy Hook Proving Ground 

and later the construction of the gun-lift battery (Battery Potter). The station was initially 

moved to a site 500 feet east of the Ordinance Officers’ Quarters (Officers Club/ Building No. 

114) in 1886 but it was determined in 1890 that it should be moved to the bay side of the tip of 

Sandy Hook. The red house station was deemed structurally unfit for such a move and it was 

decided to construct a new building for station No. 1. The new station was completed near 

the tip of Sandy Hook in the summer of 1891.20 It was a Bibb #2-type station designed by 

Albert B. Bibb in ca. 1886 (fig. 7). The Bibb #2-type U.S. Life-Saving Station No. 1, Sandy 

Hook, New Jersey would serve the U.S. Life-Saving Service through 1914 and the U.S. Coast 

Guard after that.21

The No. 2 Life-Saving Station at Spermaceti Cove was also confronted with issues concerning 

the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. As the Proving Ground started testing large caliber rifledguns the range of fire drew closer to the 1872 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. In 

December of 1890 the station was evacuated during proof testing of the guns and in 1891 

when the firing range was moved farther south it became common practice to evacuate the 

life-saving station during every proof test. The situation became unendurable for both the 

Life-Saving Service and the Ordnance Department.22

As with station No. 1, it was determined to move station No. 2 out of the range of the Proving 

Ground. A 200 square foot tract of land situated 232 yards west of the 1872 station was 

staked out and plans were made to move the existing station. In January 1892 the Secretary of 

War approved Secretary of the Treasury’s request to relocate the Spermaceti Cove Life-

 20 Bearss, pp. 116 – 120. 

21 Shanks and York, pp. 231 & 246. 

22 Bearss, pp. 135 – 136. 

Figure 7. The Bibb #2-type building at U.S. Life-Saving Station No. 1, Sandy 

Hook, New Jersey. 
18

Saving Station to the 200 square foot tract of land. The only caveat was that in time of war the 

building might have to be demolished or moved. However, the cost of relocating the 1872 

life-saving station was considerable and it was decidedly more economical to construct a new 

building to serve as station No. 2.23 

Subsequently plans were made for the construction of a new life-saving station at Spermaceti 

Cove that would be based on the Duluth-type station plan (see the subsequent section 

“Chronology of Development and Use, Construction”). The Duluth-type station was 

designed by George R. Tolman in 1893 (see the subsequent section “Duluth-type Station”). It 

was his second plan that was widely used by the U.S. Life-Saving Service.24 

After the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was constructed both the 1849 and the 

1872 stations remained in use by the U.S. Life-Saving Service and later the U.S. Coast Guard. 

In 1929 the 1849 station was rehabilitated by the Coast Guard and honored as “The Original 

Life Saving Station, Erected By The Government 1848” (fig. 8). At that time the 1872 was 

demolished.25 The Twin Lights Historical Society arranged for the 1849 station to be moved 

to Twin Lights Historic Site, Highlands, New Jersey in circa 1954. That site became a New 

Jersey State Park in 1962 and the 1849 station is preserved there as the only known survivor 

of the early federal life-saving stations.26

 23 Ibid, pp. 136 – 139. 

24 Shanks and York, pp. 236 & 247. 

25 Bearss, pp. 294 – 295. 

26 Telephone interview with Thomas Laverty, NJ State Parks Chief of Interpretation. 

Thomas Hoffman. Sandy Hook’s Lifesavers. Gateway NRA, Sandy Hook Unit. 

Figure 8. The 1849 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station after rehabilitation, 

U.S. Coast Guard 1930. The plaque reads “The Original Life Saving Station, 

Erected By The Government 1848.”
19

Duluth-type Station

George Russell Tolman came from a Boston architectural firm where he and his partner 

George F. Moffette designed both residences and commercial buildings during the 1870s. 

George Tolman briefly worked for the Treasury Department as a draftsman where he gained 

experience designing maritime structures. He began his career with the U.S. Life-Saving 

Service on January 2, 1891 succeeding Albert B. Bibb. Tolman’s first design for the LifeSaving Service was the station for Quonochontaug at Charlestown, Rhode Island and became 

known as the Quonochontaug-type station. The station plan was characteristically similar to 

the Bibb #2-type station. It was a one-and-a-half story building with steep roofs, second 

story dormers, a one-story tower over the boat room, and was a combination of both Shingles 

Style massing and Queen Anne details. The exterior walls of both station types were typically 

clad with wood shingles and the roofs were also wood shingled. The Quonochontaug-type 

station was widely employed by the Life-Saving Service with at least twenty-one stations 

using that design through 1908. Included among those was a modified plan of the 

Quonochontaug-type station built for the 1893 Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition.27

George Tolman designed two more station types for the U.S. Life-Saving Service and a oneof-a-kind station in Ashtabula, OH. The Niagara-type station was designed in ca. 1892 but 

only two such stations were constructed. The Ashtabula Life-Saving Station was designed 

and built around the same time but was not duplicated. Tolman’s next design in 1893 was the 

Duluth-type station (fig. 9) that became the most prolific of his designs with at least twenty-

 27 Shanks and York, pp. 234 – 235. 

Figure 9. Front elevation of the Duluth-type life-saving station, 

designed by George R. Tolman (not to scale). 
20

eight built between 1894 and 1908.28 The group included the Duluth, MN station constructed 

in 1894 from which the type derives its name.29

The Duluth-type station shared some characteristics of Tolman’s previous designs. The 

exterior walls and roofs were usually covered with wood shingles and the overall massing was 

Shingle Style. However, aspects of the Duluth-type station incorporated Colonial Revivalstyle details that were gaining greater recognition at the time. This was reflected in the use of 

small paned sashes and a semi-circular window opening with a fanlight sash on the gable end 

of the Boat Room, as well as the use of cyma recta and cyma reversa trim on the exterior and 

interior elements (figs. 10 & 11). 

As Shanks and York point out, the interior floor plan of the Duluth-type station was divided 

into sections like the Quonochontaug and Bibb #2-type stations.30 It was one-and-a-half 

stories high with a large clipped-gable roof and second story dormers. Tolman had used a 

similar clipped-gable roof on the Niagara-type station.31 One side of the building housed the 

keeper, surfmen, kitchen, and mess room. The other side of the building was a one-story, 

two-bay boat room with a shallow gable roof. The Duluth-type station incorporated a tower 

that was unlike Tolman’s previous designs and was a prominent feature of that station type. 

The tower was positioned at the front of the station between the two sections. It was a fourstory hip-roofed lookout tower with a cantilevered section of windows at the top story that 

was supported by molded brackets. 

George R. Tolman served as the architect for the U.S. Life-Saving Service until he was 

dismissed for personal reasons on July 16, 1896. Tolman’s six-and-one-half year term as the 

services architect was the shortest tenure of all U.S. Life-Saving Service architects but his 

influence was important.32 As previously discussed, his station designs were built through 

1908 and the Duluth-type life-saving station at Spermaceti Cove remains as an example of his 

design and his legacy with the U.S. Life-Saving Service. 

 28 Shanks and York, p. 236, 247 & 248. 

29 Shanks and York, p. 247. 

30 Shanks and York, p. 236. 

31 Shanks and York p. 177 for an illustration of the Niagara-type life-saving station. 

32 Shanks and York, pp. 236 & 237. 

Figure 10. Cyma recta molding 

profile. 

Figure 11. Cyma reversa molding 

profile. 
21

CHRONOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT 

AND USE 

Construction

Prior to the decision to relocate the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station in 1892, Lieutenant 

McLellan, Assistant Inspector U.S. Life-Saving Service, notified Sumner Kimball that the 

service had no clear title to the land that the 1872 station was sited on. After investigating the 

situation further McLellan determined that the Life-Saving service should secure 

authorization from the War Department when relocating the station. To that end he 

surveyed and staked out a 200 square foot tract of land situated 232 yards west of the 1872 

station. The Secretary of War approved the new location for the Spermaceti Cove LifeSaving Station and McLellan proceeded with plans for the new station.33 A plan of the 200 

square foot lot dated 1903 shows the 1894 station, as well as the locations of the earlier lifesaving stations and related outbuildings in relation to the new station (fig. 12). 

General Superintendent Kimball secured an appropriation from Congress during Fiscal Year 

1894 for new life-saving stations at Spermaceti Cove and Avalon, New Jersey; Cahoons 

Hallow, Massachusetts and Portsmouth, North Carolina. Initially the Brant Rock LifeSaving Station plans were considered for Spermaceti Cove.34 Brant Rock was near 

Marshfield, Massachusetts and was a Quonochontaug-type station designed by architect 

George R. Tolman in 1891 and constructed in 1892 - 1893.35 However, Lieutenant McLellan 

felt it would expedite the bidding process to employ the Duluth-type station plans. 

After getting permission from Superintendent Kimball, McLellan advertised for proposals to 

build the new station in April 1894: 

Sealed proposals will be received at this office until 2 P.M. of 

Thursday, May 10, 1894, for rebuilding the Spermaceti Cove LifeSaving Station, near Seabright, New Jersey. Forms of proposals, 

together with plans and specifications, can be obtained on application 

to this office, the Supts. of Construction, Life-Saving Stations, 24 State 

Street, New York City, to the Supt., Fifth Life-Saving District, Point 

Pleasant, New Jersey, or to the Keeper of the Spermaceti Cove Station, 

Seabright, New Jersey.36

 33 Ibid, pp. 136 – 139. 

34 Bearss, pp. 140 – 142. 

35 Shanks and York, pp. 57 & 246. 

36 Bearss, p. 142. 
22

Of the ten proposals received for constructing the station that of S.S. Hunt and William H. 

McCary was the low bid at $5,375. Their proposal to erect “a frame Building and outhouse 

for a life-saving station at Spermaceti Cove, New Jersey”37 was based on the general plans and 

specifications for the Duluth-type life-saving station designed by George R. Tolman 

(Appendix A). The only modification to that plan recommended by Lt. McLellan was the 

construction of a cellar under the kitchen.38 Whether that addition was made is not known 

since a full cellar was constructed under the building at a later date (see the subsequent 

section “Alterations”). 

Construction of the station began in June 1894 and was scheduled for completion by 

September 10, 1894. On the 19th of June a change order was submitted for the construction of 

a brick cistern with necessary gutters and drain spouts. The cistern was designed by a service 

architect and proposals for its construction were sought. Hunt and McCary were the only 

contractors to submit a bid for this work and were given the job of constructing the cistern 

for $385.39 

The construction of the Duluth-type station went well. The building was near completion on 

September 7th and the keys were handed over to Captain Edwards, Spermaceti Cove LifeSaving Station Keeper, on the 15th. Although this was five days past the deadline, the 

contractors were allowed to go beyond the contract date due to the added construction of the 

cistern.40

Despite the fact that the new building was completed the life-saving crew continued to live at 

the 1872 station until May 1895. In the interim to keep the building safe in case of fire two 

surfmen were ordered to spend their nights there and the keeper was on site during the day. 

Furnishings and supplies for the new life-saving station were received at the Highlands 

railroad station on April 4, 1895 and the crew spent the day moving the shipment into the 

new station. Some of the crew spent May 2nd applying a coat of raw linseed oil to the floors of 

the Kitchen, Mess Room, Storm Clothes Room, and Pantry (Appendix A. drawing No. 1). 

With all the supplies and furnishings in place the life-saving crew finally moved into the 1894 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station on May 28, 1895.41

 37 Bearss, p. 142. 

38 Ibid. 

39 Ibid, pp. 145 – 146. 

40 Ibid, pp. 146 – 147. 

41 Ibid, pp. 148 – 152. 
23

Figure 12. Plot plan of Spermaceti Cove, June 1903, depicting 200 square foot lot with 1849 station near north lot 

line and 1872 station east of lot. 
24

Original Appearance

Introduction 

The following description of original appearance is based on both historic photographs and 

plans of the Duluth-type life-saving station drawn by George R. Tolman in 1893 (Appendix 

A). Comparison of the existing building and the Duluth-type station plans, as well as 

research of historic photographs and an understanding of building alterations, showed that 

the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station followed Tolman’s plans practically to the 

letter. 

The documentation of other Duluth-type stations was also reviewed to gain a better 

understanding of the historic appearance of that station type. In particular the 1988 HSR for 

the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station on Cape Cod42 documented the construction 

specifications and original elements of that station that were probably common to all Duluthtype stations. Indeed the general procedure for the Life-Saving Service was to build the lifesaving stations from standardized specifications and plans developed by service architects.43 

For this study when examples of original elements were not extant at Spermaceti Cove, the 

building specifications for the Old Harbor station were relied upon for information 

regarding original appearance (fig. 13 and Appendix B). 

Investigation of the extant building elements and paint analysis provided additional 

information regarding original materials and alterations. The following descriptions are 

more general in nature and describe the building as it originally appeared based on the 

historic documents. 

In addition to the plans for the Duluth-type station in Appendix A, the reader should refer to 

figures 22, 23, and 24 at the end of this section for the room, doorway, and window opening 

numbers that were assigned for this project. The subsequent section on “Interior Elements” 

uses the original room designations from Tolman’s plans but also references the current 

room, doorway, and window opening numbers. Peter Dessauer and Richard Wells prepared 

drawings and measurements of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station in 1988; these 

records are included in Appendix C and should also be consulted. 

 42 Peggy Albee, Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, HSR, Provincetown, Massachusetts, Cape Cod 

National Seashore, S. Wellfleet, MA. Boston, MA: U.S. DOI, NPS, NAR, CRC, BCB, June 1988. 

43 York, Abstract p. iv. Correspondence with Wick York confirmed this point. He has reviewed the 

specifications for other Duluth-type stations and they were identical. Certain sections were crossedout and hand written notations added to accommodate site specific requirements, which affirms that 

these were generic specifications tailored to the needs and conditions of each site. 
25

Figure 13. 4th District, Station No. 2, Spermaceti Cove, Sandy Hook, New Jersey; 

after 1909 alterations. Note outbuilding to the west of the station. 

Figure 14. Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Chatham, Massachusetts, 

depicting Duluth-type station and outbuilding, 1914. 
26

Exterior Elements 

Design 

The overall configuration of George R. Tolman’s Duluth-type life-saving station was similar 

to its predecessors. It was designed with a one-and-a-half story Main Block that measured 31 

feet 51⁄2 inches east-west by 34 feet 6 inches north-south; a one-story Boat Room measured 41 

feet 5 inches east-west by 25 feet north-south; and a four-story watch Tower that measured 

10 feet 8 inches east-west (at the second and third stories) by 10 feet 4 inches north-south. 

The station was constructed with the Main Block as the southern section, which was abutted 

by the Boat Room to the north. The east elevation of the Boat Room extended 10 feet beyond 

that of the Main Block. The tower was positioned on the east side of the station at the corner 

where the Boat Room extended beyond the Main Block. All three sections of the station 

were adjoined on the first story and a connector between the Main Block and the Tower was 

constructed at the second story. 

The Duluth-type life-saving station combined the Victorian Era massing and elements of 

previous station designs with elements that reflected the more current architectural trends 

toward classical elements found in Georgian and Federal style buildings. The expansive 

roofs with dormers and the wood shingled walls and roofs reflected the influence of the 

Shingle Style; the asymmetry of the structure and the tower, which has a bracketedcantilevered section of windows at the top story and is covered with a flared hip roof, 

appeared to be influenced by Queen Anne architecture; the use of small paned window 

Figure 15. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. Earliest 

known photograph of the station ca. 1900. 
27

sashes and a fanlight window sash on the gable-end of the Boat Room, as well as the use of 

classical molding profiles, demonstrated the influence of the emerging Colonial Revival Style. 

Foundation 

The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was constructed with a “mudsill.”44 A mudsill 

was typically “the lowest horizontal timber at the base of a timber-framed building, usually 

laid directly on the ground; used to distribute concentrated loads.”45 At Old Harbor the 

mudsills were constructed with 4 inch by 10 inch chestnut timbers, which were most likely 

specified and used at Spermaceti Cove too. Cedar posts were spiked to the mudsill and 

framed into the main sills of the station.46 The mudsills and cedar posts composed the 

original foundation framing for the life-saving station. 

The plans and specifications for the cistern approved in June 1894 called for a 9-foot 4-inch 

wide by 11-foot long by 9-foot deep underground structure constructed with concrete made 

with Rosendale cement. The inside of the cistern was covered with concrete made with 

Portland cement and the top was covered with a framed and battened lid constructed of 

white pine.47 The plans approved by Sumner Kimball were specific to Spermaceti Cove but 

were similar to the cistern plan in the Duluth-type station set of plans (Appendix A, drawing 

No. 11). 

Walls 

The exterior walls of all portions of the building were sheathed with pine boards. All of the 

side walls were clad with wood shingles “to be No. 1 quality cedar (shingles), all heart, laid in 

the best manner, secured with two galvanized-iron nails to each shingle.”48 The side wall 

shingles were installed with a 6 inch reveal and the shingles were woven at the corners. 

The entablatures at the tops of the side walls of the Main Block, Boat Room, and Tower were 

constructed with 31⁄2-inch high plain board fascia and 4-inch high molded cornices with cyma 

recta over cove profiles. A similar entablature was constructed as a belt course on the south 

gable-end that separated the first and second stories. The entablature below the cantilevered 

fourth story window section of the Tower also used the same elements with the addition of 

33⁄4 inch wide by 81⁄2 inch high by 8 inch deep brackets with a large cyma recta profile atop a 

small cyma recta profile (Appendix C, Tower Bracket Profile). The same cyma recta over 

cove molding used on the cornice was installed along the rake of the roof gables. 

 44 Bearss, Appendix C, p. 318; the specification for alterations to the foundation in 1909 includes 

removing the “present post and mudsill foundation.” 

Albee, p. 158. See Appendix B of this report. 

45 Cyril Harris, Dictionary of Architecture and Construction, Fourth Edition (New York, NY: 

McGraw-Hill, 2005) p. 147. 46 Albee, p. 158. See Appendix B of this report. 

47 Bearss, p. 145. 

48 Albee, p. 160. See Appendix B of this report. 
28

Doorways 

The plans for the Duluth-type life-saving station provided detailed drawings of the “Front 

Door” and noted that there were “to be three (3) like this” (Appendix A, drawing No. 8). The 

doorway to the Tower (D101) was the formal entrance and considered the front doorway. 

That doorway, the doorway to the Storm Clothes Room (D102) and the back entry doorway 

(D103) were constructed in the same manner and with similar elements. The doorway 

architraves were constructed with plain boards and the threshold was constructed with oak. 

These three exterior doorways had 13⁄4 inch thick solid pine doors with six panels; the lower 

four were molded-raised panels and the top two smaller panels were glazed with a single pane 

of glass. The doors were hung with butt hinges and had Yale and Townsend Manufacturing 

Company lift latches with handles and rim night latches. 

The specifications for the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station call for exterior storm doors with 

lift latches and hooks and eyebolts to secure them. Evidence of hardware on the doorway 

jambs of all three exterior doorways (D101, D102, and D103) at Spermaceti Cove suggests 

that the station originally had storm doors that are no longer extant. 

The Boat Room was constructed with three wide doorways for access to the beach apparatus 

carts and surfboats. The drawings of the Duluth-type station depicted the doorways in plan 

and detail (Appendix A, drawing No. 7). On the west side of the north elevation of the 

Spermaceti Cove station was a doorway that is not extant; it was approximately 9 feet wide by 

7 feet 4 inches high. On the east elevation of the Boat Room were two wide doorways sideby-side that were depicted in the earliest photograph of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove LifeSaving Station but were later altered (fig. 15). Both of those doorways were 9 feet 9 inches 

wide by 9 feet 7 inches high. All three of the Boat Room doorways were originally equipped 

with sliding doors “hung with extra heavy ‘The Modern Antifriction Hanger’ with 5-inch 

wheels, two to each door, hung at the top on a double-bracketed rail.”49 At the bases of the 

doorways were “stay rolls” to prevent the door from blowing in. The doorways on the east 

elevation of the Boat Room were built so that the doors would slide by each other. In order 

for the north door to slide in front of the south door, the north jamb of the south door was 

hinged. This permitted a section of the jamb to swing open, allowing the north door to slide 

completely open. The hinged jamb was depicted in drawing No. 7 of Tolman’s plans and was 

barely discernable in the earliest photograph of the station (fig. 15). 

Window Openings 

The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station retains many original window openings that 

correspond to the original configuration and use of the station. The extant window openings 

and window elements are recorded in the window opening schedules in this report (see the 

subsequent section “Current Physical Description, Window Openings”). The plans for the 

Duluth-type station depict several different window opening sizes and sash types (Appendix 

A, drawing No. 2, No. 3, & No. 8). With the exception of the dormer windows, all of the 

window openings had molded surrounds with profiles that consisted of an outer fillet, a 

quirked cyma reversa, and an inner fillet. 

 

49 Albee, p. 162. See Appendix B of this report. 
29

The east elevation of the Main Block had two full-size windows on the first story with 

double-hung, nine-over-two sashes. The dormer at the second story of the east elevation had 

a double window with double-hung, four-over-four sashes. 

On the south elevation of the Main Block were different types of window openings. On the 

first story the southeast window was a wide opening set high on the first story, which opened 

into the Storm Clothes Room. The window opening had a single awning sash with eighteen 

lights (figs. 15 & 17). The next window opening on the first story (W107) had double-hung 

sashes with twelve-over-two lights. A smaller window opening was built for the Pantry. It 

contained a single casement sash that was hinged on the side and had nine lights. The second 

story of the south elevation had two window openings with double-hung, twelve-over-two 

sashes that opened into the crew’s quarters. 

The first story of the west elevation of the Main Block had one full size window opening on 

the first story with double-hung, twelve-over-two sashes. At the second story level the 

dormer contained a double window similar to the east elevation with double-hung, fourover-four sashes. 

The west elevation of the Boat Room contained two window openings on the first story. Both 

window openings had awning sashes with twelve lights. 

The north elevation of the Boat Room had three similar window openings with awning sashes 

on the first story and a half-round opening in the gable that contained a fanlight sash. The 

fan light sash was depicted in the plans and one historic photograph (fig. 16). It was divided 

into pie-shaped quarters that radiated from the center of the sash’s base. Each quarter had 

four lights for a total of sixteen lights in the fan sash. 

The north elevation of the Main Block had two window openings on the second story above 

the roof line of the Boat Room. Both window openings were rectangular with six-light 

awning sashes. The northwest window opening (W209) was related to the “Spare Room” 

(Room 205) on the second story and the other window opening (W211) opened into the 

“Locker Room” (currently opens into Room 203). 

The Tower of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station had three types of windows. On 

the first story was a double window opening with double-hung, six-over-six sashes in each 

opening. The window openings were separated by a plain mullion and trim with the typical 

window surround. The second and third stories of the Tower were had small rectangular 

window openings with six-light casement sashes. There were three such window openings 

on the second story (W201, 202 & 212) and four on the third story of the Tower (W301 – 

W304). A similar window opening was also installed on the south elevation of the second 

story hallway (W203). The fourth story of the Tower was the Watch Room and had two 

square window openings on each elevation. All of the openings had awning sashes with two 

horizontal lights. 
30

Figure 16. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, east and north 

elevations, circa 1916, depicting historic window openings including 

north elevation fanlight sash (circled). This photograph also depicts 

some post-1909 alterations to the station. 

Figure 17. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, east and south 

elevations, circa 1916 depicting historic window openings including 

south elevation awning sash (circled). This photograph also depicts some 

post-1909 alterations to the station. 
31

Porches 

The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was constructed with two porches, which 

were labeled as piazzas in the Duluth-type plans by George Tolman. The front porch was on 

the east elevation of the Main Block and faced the ocean (fig. 17). From the porch there was 

access to the station through D101 on the south side of the Tower and D102, which lead into 

the Storm Clothes Room. The back entry porch was located on the west elevation and 

provided access to the back hallway through D103. Historic plans and photographs, as well 

as extant building evidence suggest that the porches were constructed in the same manner 

and with similar materials. The plans for the Duluth-type station included a section drawing 

of the porches for general reference (Appendix A, drawing No. 6). 

The porch sills were supported by cedar posts and attached to the sills of the station. Basketwork lattice was installed at the foundation level and a skirt board was installed below the 

edge of the floor. The station specifications called for 13⁄4 inch thick pine floors with jointed 

edges, not exceeding 4 inches wide. Historic photographs appear to depict a similar floor but 

there was no extant evidence of the original porch flooring. The photographs also show a 

baseboard that ran along the station walls above the porch floor but do not illustrate any 

details. 

Both porches were designed to be open. Chamfered posts supported the roof structure and 

railings with balusters extended between the posts. At the inside corners of the porches, 

where they joined the station, were half-posts. The posts supported cased beams that carried 

the porch roof rafters. The ceiling was open to the rafters and the tongue-and-groove roof 

sheathing boards. A fascia was installed where the porch roof was attached to the exterior 

wall of the station. 

Some of the original porch elements were preserved in the back porch and are fully described 

in the “Current Physical Condition” section of this report. 

Roof and Related Elements 

The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was constructed with a complex roof system 

that was illustrated in the Duluth-type plans (Appendix A) and was recorded in the NPS 

measurements of the station (Appendix C, Roof Plan 1 – 5). The Main Block of the station 

had a north – south oriented clipped-gable roof with a long sloping roof line that outlined the 

second story. The roof of the Main Block was extended on the east side by the front porch 

roof and on the west elevation by the back entry porch roof. The north end the gable roof 

connects to the perpendicular gable roof of the tower connector forming a cross-gabled roof. 

The roof was covered with wood shingles laid 5 inches to the weather. The valleys and hips 

of the roof were “shingled in” and a 10 inch by 10 inch piece of 16-ounce zinc was installed 

under each course. The plans specified ridge boards with a 3⁄4 round rail at the peak for the 

main roof (Appendix A, drawing No. 4). Though not extant, historic photographs do 

indicate that the main ridge was originally covered with boards. As previously described, the 

cornices and rakes of the station were constructed with cyma recta molded trim and plain 

fascia boards. 

Dormers were constructed on both the east and west sides of the main roof. The dormers 

were clad with shingles on the side walls and housed double window openings. The dormers 
32

were covered with wood shingles and flashed with lead where they joined the main roof. The 

rakes of the dormers were constructed with plain boards and the cornices of the dormers 

were constructed with molded boards with a cyma recta profile. 

The one-story Boat Room on the north side of the life-saving station was constructed with a 

shallow pitched gable roof. The roof is oriented north – south and was covered with wood 

shingles. Like the main roof, the Boat Room roof had boards and a rail that covered the 

ridge. 

The Tower roof was hipped with a slight flare at the eaves. It was built with a rounded finial 

at the peak to which the main rafters were tied. This roof was also covered with wood 

shingles and the finial was covered with a rounded copper boot. The Tower roof was 

trimmed with a cyma recta molded eaves fascia and a narrow cyma reversa molding at the 

cornice. 

The change order for the cistern included a plan and specifications for gutters. The gutters 

were installed at the eaves of the gable roofs and had downspouts leading to the cistern. The 

specifications noted that the gutters should be “No. 26 gal. iron, 10-inch girth, semi circular, 

secured by 1" by 11⁄8" gal. iron gutter straps.” There were two 4-inch corrugated downspouts 

with elbows connected to 4-inch iron conductors that lead to the cistern.50

Chimney 

The chimney for the station was built in the center of the Main Block. The chimney was 

constructed with concrete foundation that was 4 feet wide by 6 feet long. The brick chimney 

stack was built upon the foundation and the bricks were laid with a cement, lime, and sand 

mortar. The specifications called for the “top six courses to be laid in clear cement.” Two 

piers were built into the base of the chimney on the north and south sides to support the 

center beam of the first story framing. 

The chimney stack was a square with four flues that were carried the full height of the 

chimney. On the first and second stories of the station there were openings in the flues that 

were lined with earthenware thimbles or sleeves with metal movable covers. The openings 

were to accommodate stoves in the Kitchen, Mess, and Keeper’s Room on the first story and 

the crew’s quarters on the second story. The delivery of 12 tons of coal and 1 cord of wood 

during the stations first year of active duty suggests that the heating stoves in those rooms 

were both coal and wood burning stoves.51

The exposed brick of the chimney stack from the first story to the underside of the roof was 

parged with a hard mortar. The specifications called for “King’s brick mortar” to be applied 

directly over the bricks and the angles were to be slightly rounded. 

 50 Bearss, p. 145. 

51 Bearss, p. 159. 
33

Finishes 

The specifications for the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, which were probably generic to all 

Duluth-type life-saving stations, include the following exterior paint specifications: 

 Outside work.—All outside work usually painted to be painted 

three coats. 

 The following to be painted a French gray: Cornices, 

trimmings, moldings, casings, piazza, and porch posts, railings, steps, 

and the ceilings of the piazza and porch. Outside all window sashes to 

be blue black. 

 The remainder of the outside work, including doors, to be a 

light Colonial yellow.52

The specifications also noted that the shingles were not to be painted or stained and that the 

Boat Room doors would be painted “light olive” on both sides. The gutters and downspouts 

were “painted in harmony” with the exterior trim.53 Exterior paint analysis of the extant 

materials indicated that the Spermaceti Cove station was finished with a similar paint scheme 

soon after construction (Appendix E). 

Structural Elements 

The structural requirements for the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station were discussed 

in the specifications for the station and the plans provided details for the sizes of the framing 

members and the specified erection of the building’s frame (Appendices A & B). It should be 

noted that although the Duluth-type station had three distinct sections (Main Block, Boat 

Room, and Tower) the building was essentially framed as a whole. The sections had common 

framing members that tied the building together structurally. The structure of the life-saving 

station was constructed with heavy timber posts, girts and plates with full dimension studs, 

joists, and rafters framing the exterior walls, interior partitions, floors, and roofs. The timber 

frame was constructed with traditional mortise and tenon joinery and the specifications 

noted that the framing members were to be pinned, framed, and spiked together. Diagonal 

braces were framed into the posts and girts and pinned. 

The construction of the sills for all three sections of the station was the same. The sills were 

6-inch by 8-inch timbers that were supported by cedar posts set on the mudsill foundation 

previously described. Additional 6-inch by 8-inch timbers running north-south were used as 

center girts below the first story of the Main Block. The Boat Room also had a center girt that 

measured 8-inches by 8-inches and spanned east-west. These girts were also supported by 

cedar posts and the center girts of the Main Block were supported at the chimney by the 

brick piers built into the chimney stack. 

The first-story floors in the Main Block were constructed with 3-inch by 10-inch joists that 

were shouldered 2 inches on to the sills. The chimney bay was framed with 4-inch by 10-inch 

joists and chimney girts. The Main Block sills supported 4-inch by 8-inch corner posts and 

 52 Albee, p. 167. See Appendix B of this report. 

53 Albee, pp. 167, 168 & 171. See Appendix B of this report. 
34

intermediate posts that in turn supported 4-inch by 8-inch girts on the east and west 

elevations. The corner posts extended beyond the second story girts to the level of the plates. 

The east and west girts supported low stud walls that carried the 4-inch by 6-inch plates. On 

the north and south elevations the first story framing supported 4-inch by 4-inch end girts 

that the gable-end studs were attached to. The exterior wall studs were 3-inch by 4-inch and 

4-inch by 4-inch studs were used to frame window openings and doorways. The interior 

partitions were framed with 3-inch by 4-inch studs where they carried floor joists; otherwise 

2-inch by 4-inch studs were used. The second story floors were framed in the same manner 

as the first story except that these joists were exposed at the first story ceiling and were “mill 

planed.” On the north and south walls 2-inch by 10-inch exposed joists were spiked to the 

girts to complete the exposed framing of the first story ceiling. The roof was framed with 3-

inch by 10-inch rafters and ridge boards that were “mill planed” and exposed on the interior. 

The rafters were doubled at the dormers and the chimney bay. The rafters were spiked to the 

east and west plates and the center ridge board. The south clipped gable was framed with hip 

rafters, two jack rafters and a center rafter. The north clipped gable was integral with the 

framing of the gable roof on the tower connector, which was framed with 2-inch by 8-inch 

rafters. 

The Boat Room floor was framed 

with 4-inch by 10-inch joists 

spanning north-south that were 

shouldered 2 inches on to the sills. 

Since the Boat Room was a large 

open room the frame was designed 

with five bents or sections of timber 

frame work (Appendix A, drawing 

No. 6). The west-end bent was built 

with 4-inch by 8-inch corner posts 

and a 4-inch by 8-inch center post, 

which supported a 4-inch by 6-inch 

plate and had wind braces at the 

corner posts. The east-end bent was 

constructed in a similar manner but 

due to the framing of the large 

doorways the corner braces were 

eliminated and the dimensions of the 

center post were reduced to 4-inches 

by 6-inches. The three center bents 

had doubled 4-inch by 8-inch posts 

on the north and south sides and 8-inch by 8-inch posts in the center (fig. 18). The posts 

supported a beam that was constructed from two 3-inch by 12-inch boards that were blocked 

and bolted together and reinforced with 4-inch by 6-inch braces. The girts carried 4-inch by 

4-inch studs to which the purlins and ridge board of the roof frame were attached. The 8-

inch by 8-inch center posts were “dressed” down to 71⁄2 inches square and the edges were 

chamfered. The walls between the bents were constructed with 3-inch by 4-inch studs and 4-

inch by 4-inch studs at the window openings. The two large doorways on the east elevation 

of the Boat Room were framed with 4-inch by 6-inch posts that were doubled at the outside 

corners. At the center of the elevation there were three 4-inch by 6-inch posts, one 

supporting the east end bent flanked by the posts framing the doorways. Each doorway had a 

4-inch by 10-inch lintel that was notched into the posts. The north elevation doorway was 

Figure 18. Framing of typical interior bent in 

Duluth-type station Boat Room. 
35

constructed with 4-inch by 6-inch posts and a 4-inch by 6-inch lintel. The roof was 

constructed with a principle purlin on each side and 2-inch by 8-inch rafters that were spiked 

to the ridge board and the plates. 

Like the other sections of the station, the 

Tower was framed with 4-inch by 8-inch 

corner posts and 4-inch by 6-inch girts at 

each level, braced by 4-inch by 6-inch 

supports. The plans for the Duluth-type 

station depicted each corner post as 37-

feet 6-inches long (fig. 19). The 

specifications noted that “long timbers 

(were) to be halved, lapped, and bolted, 

not more than two equal lengths to a 

piece,” which made up the Tower’s corner 

posts. As with the Main Block, the floors 

at each story of the Tower were framed 

with 3-inch by 10-inch joists with 2-inch 

by 10-inch joists spiked to the girts. The 

staircase opening at the second story was 

framed with a 4-inch by 10-inch joist to 

carry the load of the staircase. The trap 

doorway from the third to the fourth story 

was built in the center of the floor and was 

framed with 3-inch by 10-inch joists. The 

exterior walls of the Tower were generally 

framed with 3-inch by 10-inch studs. The 

first story entry doorway (D101) and double window opening (W101) were framed with 4-

inch by 10-inch studs, sills and headers. The smaller window openings at the second and 

third stories were framed with 3-inch by 10-inch lumber. 

The fourth story watch room of the Tower was built to accommodate the fourth story 

window openings and interior window seats that formed the cantilevered portion of the 

structure. The 4-inch by 6-inch girts on all elevations of the fourth story supported 2-foot 

high stud walls that had 4-inch by 4-inch top plates. The exterior walls above these stud walls 

extended 93⁄4 inches beyond the plane of the exterior walls forming the cantilevered part of 

the Tower. The cantilevered walls were constructed with lighter framing material primarily 

using 2-inch by 4-inch boards to frame the corners and the window openings. The roof 

frame of the Tower was constructed with 4-inch by 6-inch plates at the top of the Tower’s 

corner posts. The plates carried the hipped roof that was framed with 3-inch by 8-inch hip 

rafters and 3-inch by 6-inch common rafters fastened to a finial at the peak of the roof. Jack 

rafters at each corner spanned from the plates to the hip rafters. Boards nailed to the ends of 

the rafters extended the roof slope and formed the flare over the cantilevered portion of the 

Tower. 

Figure 19. Duluth-type life-saving station, south 

elevation framing of Main Block and Tower. 
36

Interior Elements 

Introduction 

The three sections of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station were not only different 

on the exterior of the building but served distinct purposes on the interior of the station. The 

Main Block served as the Keeper and Crews Quarters, Office, Kitchen, Pantry, Mess, and 

Storm Clothes Rooms; the Boat Room housed the surf boats, boat carts, beach carts and 

other life-saving apparatus; and the Tower held the staircase and the Watch Room where the 

surfmen would keep their vigil. George R. Tolman’s plans for the Duluth-type station 

illustrated the floor plans in drawing No. 1 (fig. 20) and details of the interior elements in 

drawing No. 6 (Appendix A). 

Figure 20. Duluth-type life-saving station first story plan copied from drawing No. 1. 
37

First Story 

Main Block 

The first story of the Main Block was partitioned into rooms that followed the layout 

illustrated in Tolman’s plans (Appendix A, drawing No. 1). The Main Block was divided in 

half by bearing walls that ran north and south from the chimney stack. On the east side of the 

building from south to north was the Storm Clothes Room, the Mess Room (Room 104), the 

Office and an adjacent hallway (Room 102) that adjoined the Tower Staircase Hallway (Room 

101). On the west side of the building was the Kitchen and Pantry (Room 105), the Back 

Entry Hallway (Room 106), and the Keeper’s Room with closet (Room 107). 

The function of each room was self evident. The rooms with a direct correlation were 

connected by interior doorways; the Office to the Hallway and the Keeper’s Room; the 

Kitchen to the Pantry and the Mess, etc. The location of the Storm Clothes Room on the east 

side of the station with direct access from the front porch through D102 indicated that the 

crew generally entered and exited the station through that doorway. 

The floors of the first-story rooms were constructed with plank subfloors that the plans 

indicated were to be splined. The flooring above this was specified as Southern pine and 

correspondence recorded that hard pine was used at Spermaceti Cove.54 The floor boards 

were 21⁄2-inch wide tongue-and-groove boards planed to an even thickness and blind nailed. 

Before the captain and crew moved in to the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, the 

floors of the Kitchen, Mess Room, Storm Clothes Room, and Pantry were oiled with a 

mixture of raw linseed oil and turpentine.55

The stud walls had grounds, or nailing strips, installed to receive baseboards, wainscot, and 

chair rails. The lower portion of the walls in the Storm Clothes Room, Mess Room, Kitchen, 

Back Entry Hallway, and front Hallway were covered with wainscot or “Dado” as noted in 

the plans and specifications. The wainscot was tongue-and-groove white pine boards with 

edge beads and center reeds and had a rabbeted cap. The extant sections of wainscot have a 

baseboard that paint evidence suggests are a later alteration. The plans for the Duluth-type 

station do not depict a baseboard and the station may have been built with no base along the 

wainscot. Though not extant, the specifications call for baseboards and chair rails in the 

Keeper’s Room and the Office. These elements were installed at Old Harbor and would have 

probably been used at Spermaceti Cove. The woodwork on the first story was originally 

painted olive green. 

The upper portions of the walls and the areas between the baseboards and chair rails were to 

be plastered. The walls were plastered with a two-coat system that was installed over pine 

lath. The finish layer had a rough textured and was tinted with yellow ocher that gave the 

plaster a tan finish color. The paint analysis suggested that the plaster walls remained 

unpainted upon completion. 

The plans and specifications for the first story of the Main Block specified that the ceilings 

would be open to the second-story floor joists and subfloor. The floor joists were planed 

 54 Bearss, p. 151. 

55 Ibid. Bearss notes that the preferred mix was one part turpentine to seven parts oil but the 

specifications call for a one-to-eight mix. 
38

smooth and the subfloor was constructed with tongue-and-groove beaded boards. At the 

juncture of the walls and ceilings, cornice moldings with cyma recta profiles were installed. 

The same molding continued along the angle where the joists met the subfloor boards. 

Narrower molding was applied where the joists intersected the walls. These elements were 

detailed in the plans for the Duluth-type station and were extant at Old Harbor. The only 

extant example of the ceiling elements on the first story was in Room 104a. This area was 

originally part of the Storm Clothes Room and was portioned off when the basement stairway 

was constructed. It exhibits the exposed joists and second story subfloor, as well as the 

cornice molding and the narrower trim. The molding along the joists and subfloor boards 

was not evident and may not have been used in that room. However, it is likely that other 

rooms did have all of the ceiling elements as specified and previously described. 

The doorways on the first story of the Main Block were trimmed on the interior with 5-inch 

wide molded architraves that were detailed in the plans and specifications. The architraves 

were channeled with two grooves running the length of the trim. The upper corners of the 

architrave had corner blocks with incised bull’s-eye designs and the bottoms of the side trim 

had plinth blocks with a beveled top edge. Though not extant in all doorways, the molded 

architraves were probably used throughout the first story. Some of the doorways on the first 

story were constructed with transom window openings at the top of the doorway. In those 

cases the architrave included the transom opening and a double-reeded rail was installed 

between the door and the transom. The transom sashes were hinged at the top and swung 

open. The doorways with transom openings were designated with a “T” in the plans; these 

included D109, D110, D112, D114 and the doorway between the Mess Room and the Storm 

Clothes Room, which is not extant. Of the extant doorways, D109, D110, and D114 retain 

elements of the transom openings but no sashes remain. The doorways had five-panel solidpine doors, molded on both sides. A 3⁄4-inch thick beveled threshold was installed in each 

doorway. 

The first story had two unique doorways. One such doorway (D108) connected the Staircase 

Hallway in the Tower (Room 101) to the Hallway in the Main Block (Room 102). The 

doorway opening was 4 feet wide by 8 feet 23⁄4 inches high, which matched the height of other 

interior doorways with transom openings. The doorway was trimmed with the same 

architrave as the other doorways and had no door. The other on-of-a-kind doorway 

connected the Office to the Keeper’s Room and is not extant. According to the plans it was 4 

feet 8 inches wide by 9 feet high with an arched top and had no door. 

The window openings in the Main Block were previously described and the extant window 

elements are described in subsequent sections (see the subsequent section “Current Physical 

Description, Window Openings”). The interior trim of the first-story window openings used 

the same elements as the doorway trim. In addition to the molded casings with bull’s-eye 

corner blocks, the interior of the window openings had molded window sills with molded 

aprons below the sills. The front edges of the window sills had cyma reversa profiles and 

aprons were molded with a fillet and quirked cyma reversa profile. While there are extant 

examples of these elements at Spermaceti Cove none survive in the original openings in the 

Main Block. Some of the Tower window openings retain the historic trim and though W106 

was a later alteration the window trim used copied the historic profiles. 

The plans and specifications for the Duluth-type life-saving station included built-in 

furnishing elements in some of the first story rooms. The Mess Room was to have shelving 

around the chimney and along the west wall from the chimney to the north wall. The 
39

shelving was installed above the wainscot and the section along the west wall had three open 

shelves below. The plans also indicated that shelves should be installed around the chimney 

in the Kitchen and the Keeper’s Room. There was no extant evidence of any of the shelves 

but paint evidence at Old Harbor did suggest that shelving was installed where indicated in 

the plans.56 In the northeast corner of the Keepers Room was a closet that had three shelves 

built in to the north/back wall. The Pantry was also constructed with built-in furnishing 

elements that were described in the following specifications: 

 Pantry. – To have a counter 

shelf 2 feet wide and 3 feet high, 

cupboard under, of narrow, matched, 

and reeded sheathing, divided to 

receive flour and meal barrels, with 

swing doors below and lift lids above, 

butt hung. 

 Exposed faces of shelves to be 

neatly beaded. 

 China cupboard. – To be 8 feet 

high, 4 feet wide, the lower part to be 3 

feet high, with counter shelf 2 feet 

deep. 

 To have 3 wide drawers and a 

side division with open shelves. 

 The upper portion to be 3 feet 

wide, 1 foot deep, with three shelves 

inclosed (sic) by two swinging glazed 

doors. (See drawings)57

As noted in the specifications, the plans of the Duluth-type station did include a detail 

drawing of the china cupboard (fig. 21). These elements were not extant at Spermaceti Cove 

but were found at Old Harbor.58 There is no doubt that the Pantry was fitted with some type 

of shelving and cupboards. Since the rest of the station was true to the specifications and 

plans it seems likely that the Pantry would have included the specified built-in elements. 

Tower 

The lower stories of the Tower housed the Staircase Hallway. The first-story Staircase 

Hallway (Room 101) had an exterior doorway (D101) from the front porch that was the 

formal entrance to the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. Room 101 was a square room 

with the exterior doorway on the south elevation (D101), double window openings on the 

east elevation (W101), a connector doorway to Room 102 (D108), and the staircase ascending 

the north elevation of the Tower. 

The floors, walls, ceilings and woodwork in the Staircase Hall were constructed in the same 

manner as those previously described for the Main Block. The molded trim around W101 

surrounded both window openings, which were separated by a plain mullion. The wainscot 

on the lower portion of the walls continued up the rake of the staircase and on the east wall 

the north side of the window casing was cut into the wainscot. Like other first story rooms 

 56 Albee, pp. 68 & 73. 

57 Ibid. p. 163. See Appendix B of this report. 

58 Albee, pp. 74-76. 

Figure 21. Detail drawing of Pantry 

china cupboard. 
40

the woodwork was painted olive green and the plaster walls were tinted tan and initially left 

unpainted. 

The staircase from the first story to the second story is a winding-staircase that starts on the 

east wall of Room 101 and continues up the north wall, winding around to the west wall at the 

second story. The staircase elements were constructed entirely with wooden elements and 

follow the design of the Duluth-type station plans (Appendix A, Drawing No. 9). Three 

normal treads ascended the east wall; three winder-treads turned the northeast corner; five 

normal treads climbed the north wall; three winder-treads turned the northwest corner; and 

one step on the west wall led to the second-story hallway (Room 201). The front edges of the 

treads had a bull-nose and a cyma recta molding was installed below the lip of the tread 

where it met the riser. As previously described, the wainscot continued up the staircase and 

above that was a rough textured plaster. The soffit of the staircase was also plastered. 

Newel posts were installed at the bottom of the staircase and at each turn. The bottom newel 

post was turned with an oval top, a vase-like midsection, and a block base with chamfered 

edges. The other newel posts were narrower and had chamfered edges up to the railing and 

rounded tops. At the second set of winder treads the newel post extended below the staircase 

soffit and formed a finial with a convex concentric circular design. The staircase was 

constructed with a molded rail with an oval top that was supported by three round balusters 

at each step. All of these elements, as well as the staircase treads and risers were originally 

kept as natural wood and oiled. The staircase wainscoting and plaster walls followed the 

same paint scheme as on the first story. 

Boat Room 

The first story of the Boat Room was an open room (Room 109) with three posts in the center 

of the room, which created two east-west bays. The open configuration of the room and the 

placement of the wide doorways on the east and north elevations created a functional room 

for storing the surf boats, boat carriage, beach carts and other life-saving apparatus. The 

Boat Room had a closet in the southwest corner that was actually within the frame of the 

Main Block. 

The specifications called for the Boat Room floors to be 3-inch thick tongue-and-groove pine 

plank not to exceed 6 inches. The extant floor boards are covered with carpet but in the 

northeast corner 21⁄2-inch wide strip flooring was found under the carpet and a subfloor with 

wider boards was installed under that. The current subfloor may have been the original Boat 

Room flooring. The flooring at Old Harbor was a random width floor that appeared to 

follow the specifications.59

The south wall of the Boat Room was treated as an exterior wall and covered with 

clapboards. The specifications indicated that the other walls would be open to the framing; 

“The frame, including the roof, will show, dressed.”60 The only exception was the closet, 

which was to be plastered. The south wall at Spermaceti Cove retains the clapboards and the 

other walls are covered tongue-and-groove beaded boards. However, the tongue-andgroove boards only extend up to the current ceiling height, which was a later alteration. 

 59 Ibid, p. 86. 

60 Albee, p. 157. See Appendix B of this report. 
41

Where as the south wall clapboards continue to the peak of the Boat Room gable roof. The 

other walls above the current ceiling exhibit dressed framing that was apparently oiled. 

Therefore it appears likely that the east, west, and north walls of the Boat Room were 

originally open to the dressed framing. The clapboard wall and the open framing of the Boat 

Room were originally left unpainted and were probably oiled by the crew. 

Like the walls, the ceiling of the Boat Room was open to the framing and the roof sheathing. 

The specifications called for the construction of a loft in the Boat Room but at Spermaceti 

Cove the loft was not constructed until a later date (see the subsequent section “Alterations”). 

Unlike the doorways in the Main Block, the doorway connecting the Boat Room to the Room 

102 (D107) was trimmed with plain boards. The plans indicated that the exterior doorways 

were constructed with plain board interior trim but the materials were not extant. The 

double-bracketed rail used to hang the east elevation doors (D105 & D106) was housed in a 

boxed-board cover; that was in turn attached to the doorway header on the east side and 

wooden hangers attached to the rafters on the west side (Appendix A, drawing No. 7). On the 

wide doorway on the north elevation (not extant but originally in the location of D104) the 

door hangers and rail were attached to the exposed framing and were not covered. The 

specifications called for both the interiors and the exteriors of the Boat Room doors to be 

painted olive green. 

The Boat Room originally had five window openings each with a twelve-light awning sash. 

The specifications noted that the window trim in the Boat Room would be plain boards but 

the three extant original window openings on the north elevation have molded board 

surrounds on all sides. Paint analysis indicated that both the trim and sashes were original. 

In addition the trim was molded with the same channeled design as the doorway trim in the 

Main Block. It seems likely that all five window openings in the Boat Room were trimmed in 

the same manner and both the trim and sashes were painted olive green. 

As previously described, the Boat Room had a single closet in the southwest corner of the 

room. The plans indicated that the closet had three shelves on the upper portions of the east, 

west and south walls. The plans also depict a three drawer built-in unit on the west wall of 

the closet. Since this area of the station was altered several times, it is not known if the closet 

was constructed as specified but it seems likely that the builders would have followed the 

plans for the station. 

Second Story 

Main Block 

The second story of the Main Block of the station included the Crew’s Quarters (Room 206), 

a Spare Room (Room 205), and the hallway in the Tower connector (Room 202) that 

originally served as the Locker Room. 

The floors in the second story were constructed with a subfloor that was laid so the finished 

side and edge bead faced down for the exposed ceiling on the first story. The finish flooring 

above that was tongue-and-groove strip flooring similar to that used on the first story. 
42

The walls in the Crew’s Quarters were constructed with the same type of wainscot as on the 

first story. Since the Quarters were under the roof line, the wainscot formed a knee wall on 

the east and west elevations that transitioned to the ceiling and roof slope. The wainscot 

continued below the double window openings of the shed dormers and was capped by the 

window sill. The side walls of the dormers were constructed with tongue-and-groove beaded 

boards as were the ceilings. The framing of the dormers was not exposed. On the north and 

south elevations of the room the upper portions of the walls were plastered. 

The plans indicated that the walls in the Locker Room would be covered with wainscot and 

the upper portion would be plaster. However, the only extant historic wall material is the 

section of the west wall that is currently within the hallway (Room 202). This wall was 

historically plastered and has a narrow strip of baseboard that is original, which suggests that 

the walls in the Locker Room were plastered and a baseboard was installed. 

The south, east and north walls of the Spare Room were plastered up to the ceiling/roof line 

and had a reeded baseboard with a beveled top. The west wall had wainscot up to the 

ceiling/roof line. The woodwork was painted olive green like the first story finish. However, 

paint analysis indicated that the plaster was originally left unpainted. The rough plaster was 

tinted with ochre to give it a tan color that was similar to other first and second story rooms. 

The first paint finish in that room corresponds with the third paint finish on other plaster 

walls in the first and second stories of the station. 

The ceilings in the Quarters and Spare Room were open to the roof framing and sheathing. 

The sheathing was constructed with tongue-and-groove beaded boards and the 3-inch by 10-

inch roof rafters were dressed. On both the south and north walls molded raked trim was 

installed at the juncture of the wall and ceiling/roof slope. Narrower trim was installed 

where the rafter ends met the plaster walls. All of the exposed ceiling woodwork in the 

Quarters and Spare Room was painted olive green. 

The ceiling in the Locker Room was constructed in the same manner as the first story ceilings 

with exposed floor joists and subfloor of the third story. Though they are not presently 

exposed it seems likely that the joist ends were trimmed with the same narrow molding as on 

the first story. That was how the joists were trimmed at Old Harbor and the same trim was 

used on the rafters in the Quarters and Spare Room at Spermaceti Cove. The paints colors in 

this case are not known. 

The original doorways in the second story were constructed with the same architrave as the 

first story doorways. The doorway from the Locker Room to Staircase Hallway in the Tower 

(D201) was wider than the typical doorways and was constructed without a door. The 

doorway from the Locker Room to the Spare Room (D204) had a five panel door, molded on 

both sides, and hung with butt hinges on the south side of the doorway. The same style door 

was installed in the doorway to the Crew’s Quarters (D205). That doorway was constructed 

with a transom window opening that held a two-light transom sash that was hinged at the top 

and opened into the Quarters. 

There were several different sizes and styles of window openings on the second story of the 

Main Block. The Crews Quarters had two window openings in the east dormer (W204 & 

205), two window openings on the south elevation (of which W206 is extant), and two 

window openings in the west dormer (W207 & 208). The double windows in both dormers 

were surrounded with plain board trim and had a plain board mullion separating the two 
43

window openings. A molded sill extended the width of the dormer and a molded cornice was 

installed at the juncture of the ceiling and the lintel trim. Both window openings on the south 

elevation had molded architraves that matched the typical window opening and doorway 

trim. The sills were molded and cut in to the wainscot. Paint evidence indicated that the 

window opening elements in the Quarters were originally painted olive green. 

The Spare Room had one window opening on the north elevation (W209). The window 

opening had a six-light awning sash and constructed with trim that was different from the 

typical window opening surround. W209 was trimmed with molded boards on the sides and 

top that had a fillet with cyma recta on each edge and three center reeds. The trim was 

mitered at the top corners so that it continued from the sides to the lintel. The window sill 

was molded and the apron had a shallow cyma reversa profile. All of the trim elements of the 

window opening are extant and provide a good template for other historic trim. 

The Locker Room had a window opening on the north wall and one on the south wall. The 

north wall window opening (W211) had a six-light awning sash that was probably trimmed in 

the same manner as W209 in the Spare Room. The window opening in the south wall (w203) 

housed a six-light casement sash and was surrounded with the same molded trim as W209. 

The trim was mitered at the top corners so that it continued from the sides to the lintel. The 

window sill was molded with the typical nose and most likely had an apron similar to W209. 

The window opening elements in the Locker Room were painted the same olive green as the 

rest of the trim. 

The plans and specifications for the Duluth-type life-saving station called for eight lockers to 

be constructed in the Locker Room. Drawing No. 1 of the plans depicts three lockers along 

the south wall between W203 and D205 and five lockers along the north wall between W211 

and the west wall. The lockers were 2 feet 1 inch wide by 7 feet high by 2 feet deep 

constructed with tongue-and-groove boards. They had wooden doors with rim spring locks 

and wooden knobs. The lockers are not extant but were probably built as specified. 

Tower 

The staircase continued on the second story of the Tower. Like the first story the second 

story Staircase Hallway (Room 201) was a square room with the staircase winding up the 

north elevation and the hallway on the south side of the room. 

The floor was constructed with wood-strip flooring typical of the station that ran east-west. 

The floor was originally oiled. 

Like the first story, the lower portions of the walls were covered with wainscot and the upper 

portions were plastered. The wainscot and plaster continue up the staircase to the third 

story. 

Though not extant, the ceiling was constructed with exposed floor joists and subfloor in a 

similar manner to the adjacent Locker Room. 

The winding staircase began on the east wall and continued up the north wall, turning to the 

west wall at the third story level. The staircase was constructed with similar elements as the 

first story staircase and was left unpainted. 
44

The doorway to the adjacent Locker Room was trimmed with the typical channeled boards 

and molded corner blocks. 

There were three window openings in the second story of the tower. All of them were small 

openings with six-light casement sash. The window openings were trimmed with molded 

boards on the sides and top that had the same profile as those used on W203 and W209. The 

window sills and apron below the sills were also the same as W203 and W209. 

With the exception of the staircase elements, the woodwork in the second-story Staircase 

Hallway was originally painted olive green and the plaster was tinted yellow/tan. 

Third Story 

The Tower staircase ended at the third story. There was one room in the Tower at this level 

(Room 301) and one storage room (Room 302) under the gable of the Tower connector. 

The third story Staircase Hallway was constructed in the same manner as the second story. It 

had a tongue-and-groove wood floor; wainscot below plaster walls; and the ceiling had the 

exposed floor joists and subfloor of the fourth story. All of these elements were painted with 

the same color scheme as the second story. 

Centered in the ceiling was the trap doorway to the Watch Room. A ladder to access the 

Watch Room was installed in Room 301. The ladder was constructed with two stringers and 

open steps ascending at a steep angle. The ladder stringers were also painted olive green. 

Since the original steps are not extant, it is not known whether they were painted. 

The Staircase Hallway had four window openings (W301 – W304) that were constructed in 

the same manner as the smaller window openings in the second story Staircase Hallway. All 

four window openings had six-light casement sashes and molded casings on the sides and 

tops, as well as molded window sills and aprons typical of the small Tower windows. 

On the west elevation of Room 301 was a short doorway (D301) that led to the third story 

storage room (Room 302). The doorway was trimmed with the typical channeled boards and 

corner blocks used in other doorways in the station. When the station was first built there 

was no door in the opening. 

The third story storage room (Room 302) was a narrow room under the gable of the Tower 

connector. 

Though it was a storage room the space was finished to a certain degree. The floor was 

constructed with tongue-and-groove boards similar to those used in Room 301. The walls 

were constructed with lath and plaster, which on the north and south walls was applied 

between the rafters, as well as along the base of the wall. A plain baseboard was installed on 

all of the walls. The doorway to Room 301 was also trimmed with plain boards and there 

were no window openings in the storage room. The sloped ceiling was open to the roof 

framing and sheathing in a similar manner as the second story Crew’s Quarters and Spare 

Room. The woodwork in this room was painted olive green to harmonize with the adjacent 

room and the plaster was initially tinted tan and left unpainted like other second-story 

rooms. 
45

Fourth Story 

The fourth story of the Tower was the Watch Room (Room 401) for the Spermaceti Cove 

Station. The Watch Room was an open room designed with a cantilevered portion below the 

height of the windows that formed a window seat on each side of the room. 

The Watch Room floor was constructed with narrow tongue-and-groove boards with the 

trap doorway in the center of the floor. The trap doorway was oriented east-west and framed 

within a 2-foot 4-inch wide by 3-foot 8-inch long space between two 3-inch by 10-inch floor 

joists (Appendix A, drawing No. 5). All four sides of the doorway were framed with notched 

boards or jambs in which the trap doors rest. The trap doorway was originally constructed 

with two leaves, one that was hinged on the north side of the doorway and one on the south 

side. The leaves met in the center of the doorway and opened up into the Watch Room. The 

tops of the trap doorway leaves were originally constructed with tongue-and-groove boards 

that matched the flooring. 

The Watch Room was finished entirely in wood and was painted olive green to match other 

interior woodwork. The walls were constructed in three sections, the lower and upper 

sections were within the plane of the primary Tower structure and the middle section in the 

cantilevered portion of the room beyond the plane of the Tower structure (Appendix A, 

drawing No. 9). All three sections were constructed with tongue-and-groove beaded boards. 

The window seat was built with a plain board spanning the length and width of the 

cantilevered portion on each elevation of the room. The corners of the cantilevered portion 

were sheathed in plain boards that formed side jambs for the middle section of the walls. The 

interior soffit over the window seat was also sheathed with plain boards. 

The ceiling of the Watch Room was open to the framing of the hip roof and the roof 

sheathing. Like other roofs in the station the Tower roof was constructed with beaded 

sheathing and planed rafters that were exposed on the interior. The finial at the peak of the 

roof hung down below the rafters and had a convex concentric circular design like the finials 

on the staircase newel posts. The ceiling elements are presently covered and it was not 

possible to determine the historic paint colors. However, the ceiling at Old Harbor was 

finished with the same olive green that was used for the woodwork, which suggests that the 

Watch Room ceiling at Spermaceti Cove would have been finished in the same manner. 

The Watch Room had two window openings on each elevation. All eight of the window 

openings were constructed with the same elements. The window openings had awning 

sashes with two horizontal lights. The window openings had no interior casing but were 

framed flush with the wall boards and had quarter round jambs on the sides and tops. The 

window sills were cut into the wall boards and had the same molded profile as the sills of the 

second and third story Tower windows. 

The Tower and Watch Room were unique to the Duluth-type life-saving station. At 

Spermaceti Cove they provided the crew with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, and 

Sandy Hook Bay, as well as stretches North and South on Sandy Hook. 
46

Room 109 

Room 

108 

Room 103 Room 102 

Room 

101 

Room 107 

Room 104 

Front Porch 

Room 

Room 105 

104a 

Room 

106 

Back Entry 

Porch 

N 

W 113 W 114 W 115 

W 112 W 111 

D 104 

D 105 D 106 W 101 

D 101 

W 102 W 103 D 102 

W 108 W 107 W 106 W 105 W 104 

W 109 W 110 

D 103 

D 107 

D 108 

D 110 

D 109 

D 111 

D 112 

D 113 

D 114 

D 115 

D 116 

Figure 22. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, first story plan with room, doorway, and window opening numbers. 
47

N 

Room 206 

Room 

205 

Room 

204 

Room 

202 

Room 

203 

Room 

201 

W 201 

W 203 W 202 

W 204 W 205 

W 206 

W 207 W 208 

W 209 W 210 W 211 

W 212 

D 201 

D 202 

D 203 

D 204 

D 205 

W 213 

fanlight 

window 

D 206 

Figure 23. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, second story plan with room, doorway, and window opening numbers. 
48

N 

Room 302 

Room 301 Room 401 

Figure 24. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, third and fourth story plans with room, doorway, and window opening numbers. 

W 301 

W 302 

W 304 

W 408 W 407 

W 406 

W 405 

W 403 W 404 

W 401 W 402 

W 303 

D 301 
49

Alterations

U.S. Life-Saving Service and U.S. Coast Guard Years, 

1894 through 1945 

The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was completed on September 15, 1894 and the 

crew moved into the station on May 28, 1895.61 The history of maintenance and alterations at 

the station were recorded in the log books and other primary source documents from the 

U.S. Life Saving Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. Edwin Bearss researched the National 

Archives, Records of the United States Coast Guard, 1785 – 1988, Record Group 26, which 

included construction related documents and correspondence relating to Spermaceti Cove 

from 1848 – 1941. The records also included station log books kept during the Life-Saving 

Service period, 1872 – 1915. Mr. Bearss’ research appears to have been very thorough and 

was not duplicated during the preparation of this HSR. Pertinent records and information 

regarding the maintenance and alterations to the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

have been extracted from the Bearss’ report and presented in the following table. In addition 

to the information gleaned from Mr. Bearss report, the following section includes alterations 

based on the current investigation of building materials. 

The records for the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station describe routine maintenance 

including oiling the floors and painting the station. The most significant alterations during 

the Life-Saving Service tenure in the building were completed in 1909 when the basement 

 

61 Bearss, pp. 147 & 152. 

Figure 25. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station circa 1910 after 

the basement was added and the Boat Room doors were altered. 
50

was added and associated modifications to the first story were made. At that time the Boat 

Room doors were also altered from sliding doors to double-leaf hinged doors. These 

alterations and others were documented in the records and correspondence, as well as in 

historic photographs (figs. 13 & 25). 

Brief Chronology 1894 through 1945 

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

May 2, 1895 Prior to moving into the station the crew oiled 

the hard pine wood floors in the Kitchen, Mess 

Room, Storm-Clothes Room, and Pantry. The 

floors were oiled with a mix of raw linseed oil 

and turpentine (7 to 1 was the preferred mix). 

Additional supplies requested to finish the job 

were delivered June 20, 1895. 

Edwin Bearss, Historic 

Resource Study and 

Historic Structure 

Report, Historical Data 

Section, Spermaceti 

Cove Life-Saving 

Station (Denver, CO: 

DOI, NPS, DSC, 1983) 

p. 151. 

December 1, 

1896 

Beaver no. 8-20 cooking stove received for 

station Kitchen. 

Bearss, p. 152. 

March 29-30, 

1897 

Keeper Edwards has crew paint the interior 

walls of the Kitchen and Mess Room with two 

coats of paint. He pointed out that they would 

get dingy if not painted, which suggests that this 

was the first application of paint on these walls. 

Bearss, p. 152. 

May 26, 1897 Edwards had the station crew oil the floors of 

the Crew’s Quarters and stairs. 

Bearss, p. 152. 

June 13-17, 

1898 

During the off-season the keeper and his wife 

oiled the stairway, halls, and floors in the Mess 

Room, Kitchen/Pantry, Front and Back 

Porches, and Storm-Clothes Room. 

Bearss, p. 153. 

September 20, 

1898 

Cistern scrubbed and cleaned by crew. Bearss, p. 153. 

Fall, 1898 The floors of the Kitchen, Tower Room, Mess 

Room, and Storm-Clothes Room were oiled and 

the door screens were painted. 

Bearss, p. 153 (log, 

Sept. 20 – Dec. 13, 

1898). 

May 30, 1899 Surfmen oiled the floors before closing the 

station for the season. 

Bearss, p. 153. 

August 2, 1899 Cistern cleaned by crew. Bearss, p. 153. 

October 20-

21, 1899 

Door and window screens were painted. Bearss, p. 153. 

November 20, 

1899 

Kitchen was painted. Bearss, p. 153. 

December, 

1899 

Kitchen and Mess Room floors were oiled. Bearss, p. 153. 

September 15, 

1900 

After three weeks of no rain the water in the 

cistern was bad. The cistern was bailed and 

cleaned. 

Bearss, p. 187. 
51

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

December, 

1900 

The crew built a rigging loft in the Boat Room 

that had been omitted in the original 

construction. The loft was included in the 

Duluth-type station plans and situated over the 

south bay of the two-bay Boat Room. The loft is 

extant above the present ceiling level. The floor 

of the loft was laid with the finished/flush side 

down forming the ceiling of Boat Room. 

Bearss, p. 253. Duluthtype station plans by 

George R. Tolman, 

drawing No. 1, and 

observation of extant 

building elements. 

December, 

1900 

The crew repaired the Boat Room doors and the 

platform on the east side of the Boat Room. 

Bearss, p. 253. 

May 7, 1901 Crew cleaned and oiled the stairs. Bearss, p. 254. 

April 22-28, 

1902 

Crew painted the walls in the Mess Room, 

Keeper’s Room, and other rooms. The project 

used 50 pounds of white lead, 2 gallons of mixed 

paint, 3 gallons of oil, and 1 gallon of 

turpentine. 

Bearss, p. 254. 

May, 1902 Prior to the end of the season, the crew bailed, 

cleaned, and scrubbed the cistern. 

Bearss, p. 254. 

May 19-26, 

1903 

In January 1903 General Superintendent 

Kimball established a standardized paint color 

for U.S. Life-Saving Stations in the Fifth 

District. In May the crew at Spermaceti Cove 

painted the exterior of the station using among 

other supplies 15 gallons of paint and 5 pounds 

of putty. 

Bearss, p. 255. 

July 24, 1903 As the low bidder responding to a request for 

proposals, contractor William O’Brien and his 

crew remove old gutters and downspouts that 

were worn and rusty and replaced them with 

new 6-inch galvanized iron gutters and 

downspouts. Project was completed on August 

17 and the station crew painted the new gutters 

hung by O’Brien on August 20. 

Bearss, pp. 256 – 259. 

July 28-29, 

1903 

Pritchard and Williams were awarded the 

carpentry project to repair the Boat Room 

ramps and the Tower ladder. A four man crew 

took up the ramps on the east and north 

elevations of the Boat Room and replaced them 

with yellow pine and also replaced the steps of 

the Tower ladder. 

Bearss, pp. 258 – 259. 

November, 

1904. 

Repairs were made by the station crew to the 

east porch and the Kitchen floor. The types of 

repairs were not detailed. 

Bearss, p. 263. 
52

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

April 23 – May 

18, 1906 

The station crew spent a number of hours 

painting the interior walls during this time 

period. They used 320 pounds of white lead, 12 

1⁄2 gallons of raw (linseed) oil, 3 quarts of japan 

dryer, and 3 pounds of natural lead. The 

materials list included natural lead for tinting, 

No. 24 and No. 33. 

Bearss, p. 264. 

August 7, 1907 The wire screening in the screen doors was 

replaced with “copper wire gause (sic) and 1⁄4 

pounds of copper tacts (sic).” 

Bearss, p. 265. 

May 21-28, 

1908 

The Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station crew 

painted the exterior of the station, the 

storehouse, and the flagstaff. They used 100 

pounds of white lead, 15 pounds of blind green, 

4 1⁄2 gallons of raw linseed oil, 1 quart of japan 

dryer, 1⁄2 gallon of turpentine, and 10 pounds of 

putty. 

Bearss, p. 266. 

September 14, 

1908 

Inspection by Assistant Inspector Cockran 

found that the southwest corner of the station 

was sinking; new floors were needed in the 

Kitchen and Mess Room; the brick around the 

top of the chimney were loose and it needed a 

stone cap; and a cellar was needed for the 

station. 

Bearss, p. 267. 

October 21, 

1908 

Asst. Superintendent of Construction Charles 

Temperly performed a follow-up inspection 

and found that the braces were rotted to about 6 

inches below ground; moisture was carried 

through to the sills causing rot above the 

foundation post; the mudsill was soft and 

spongy; the Kitchen and Mess Room floors 

were badly worn; the chimney above the roof 

was cracked and the flashing need repairs; a 

cellar should be constructed with an interior 

stairway located in a portion of the Storm 

Clothes Room. 

Bearss, p. 267 – 268. 
53

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

October 26, 

1908 

Temperly suggested that a 12-inch thick 

concrete foundation be poured beneath the 

dwelling/Main Block portion of the station 

supporting the sills, including the sill between 

the Main Block and the Boat Room. The area 

under the station was to be excavated and the 

floor covered with poured concrete. The walls 

under the Boat Room were to be 8-inches thick 

and extend 3 feet below the ground level. 

The estimated costs of repairs including the 

foundation, sill repairs, interior and exterior 

basement entrances, Kitchen and Mess Room 

floors, and rebuilding the chimney totaled 

$1,665.78. 

Bearss, p. 268 – 269. 

October 26, 

1908 

In addition Temperly noted the following 

deficiencies that would require attention: repair 

Pantry flooring; repair Back Entry Hallway 

flooring; replace back entry doorway threshold; 

repair sliding Boat Room doors; repair east 

dormer leaks; replace base mold “on one side 

and at one end of the building;” replace a 6-inch 

base at the bottom of the porch lattice work; 

repair decaying molding on station sign; repair 

gutters and conductors; repair storehouse. 

These repairs were estimated at an additional 

$116.50 but did not include repairs to the Boat 

Room doors. 

Bearss, p. 270 – 271. 

November 3, 

1908 

General Superintendent Kimball approved 

request submitted by Captain Newcomb for 

expenditure of $1,782.28 for repairs and 

improvements to the Spermaceti Cove LifeSaving Station. 

Bearss, p. 271. 

November 11, 

1908 

Lt. Cockran recommended that the east 

elevation Boat Room doors be cut in two pieces 

and hung on hinges swinging outward in the 

same manner as the Monmouth Beach Station, 

which was another Duluth-type station. 

Bearss, p. 271. 

December 7, 

1908 

Asst. Superintendent of Construction P. Julian 

Latham investigated the Boat Room doors and 

suggested that they could be readjusted but if 

Cockran’s recommendation was followed the 

cost would be $37.75. This expenditure was 

approved by Kimball’s office on January 26, 

1909. 

Bearss, pp. 271 – 272. 

December 

1908 

Latham prepared specifications for the repairs 

to the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

(Appendix D). 

Bearss, p. 272 and 318 - 

323. 
54

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

January 9, 

1909 

Work began on the station and was supervised 

by Asst. Superintendent Latham. The most 

significant alteration during that project was the 

construction of the basement, which included 

the addition of an interior entrance and an 

exterior entrance. A full basement was 

constructed under the Main Block of the lifesaving station. The basement was constructed 

with four window openings and window wells 

that are not extant. The interior entrance was 

created by the construction of a partition that 

made an approximately 3-foot wide staircase 

closet at the west end of the Storm-Clothes 

Room. A doorway to the closet was cut into the 

east wall of the Kitchen and a window opening 

to light the closet was cut into the south wall of 

the station (W106). The doorway had a 5 panel 

door and the window opening had a six-light 

casement sash. Both openings were trimmed to 

match the existing doorway and window 

openings in the Main Block of the station. The 

exterior entrance to the basement was a 

concrete bulkhead on the south elevation of the 

Main Block. The top of the bulkhead was 

constructed with a cypress plank frame and a 

batten door. In addition to the full basement, a 

concrete foundation was constructed under the 

Boat Room that was 8-inches thick and 3 feet 

deep. A concrete foundation that was 10-inches 

thick and 3 1⁄2 feet deep was constructed under 

the Tower. 

Bearss, p. 272 and 318 - 

323. Description of 

alterations based on 

historic photographs 

and plans (figs. 25 & 

26), extant building 

elements, and 

specifications included 

as Appendix D of this 

report. The wall 

shingles above the 

added window (W106) 

in figure 25 appear to 

be lighter in color, 

indicating that they 

were installed more 

recently than the 

surrounding shingles. 

That evidence suggests 

that the photograph 

was taken soon after 

the alterations and is 

further evidence of the 

nature of the 

alterations. See 

Appendix D for a 

description of other 

repairs performed in 

1909. 

March 9, 1909 Capt. Newcomb made the final inspection of 

the repairs to the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving 

Station found that the repairs “had been 

completed in a satisfactory manner as to 

materials furnished and work performed, with 

the exception of the new hinges on boat room 

doors, and thimbles to be put in chimney in 

basement.” 

Bearss, p. 272. 

March 1909 The correspondence from Newcomb to Kimball 

previously cited suggested that the Boat Room 

doors were altered to hinged doors during the 

project. One historic photograph that appears 

to have been taken soon after the 1909 repairs 

depicts the east elevation Boat Room doorways 

each with two doors hung on three strap hinges. 

Figs. 13, 25, & 27 
55

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

April 1909 The chimney flashing leaked during a heavy 

rain storm. The contractor was called back to 

repair the poor workmanship but the patches 

failed as well (presumably the contractor was 

called once again to repair the flashing). 

Bearss, p. 273. 

circa 1910 A window opening was installed between the 

Keeper’s Office and the Boat Room. That 

window opening did not appear on plans for the 

Duluth-type station or the 1928 drawings for 

Spermaceti Cove. A similar opening was 

installed at Old Harbor in ca. 1900 and was also 

extant at the “Squan Beach” Duluth-type 

station. It seems likely that the opening was 

installed when the other significant alterations 

were taking place at the station. Photographs 

from the 1970s depict a rectangular opening 

that had double-hung, six-over-two sashes (one 

center muntin was missing in photo). The 

window opening was covered over with 

clapboards during rehabilitation but the sash is 

most likely still in place behind the clapboards. 

See fig. 36 and Albee, 

pp. 20 – 21, and Albee, 

Illustration 7. 

October 18, 

1910 

From the Tower Watch Room a fire was spotted 

on the roof of the Boat Room. The fire was 

extinguished by two of the station’s crew. The 

fire had damaged a 2-foot by 3-foot section of 

the roof, as well as several smaller areas. 

Keeper Woolley estimated that it would take 24 

lineal feet of 2-inch by 6-inch lumber, 200 

shingles, and 5 pounds of nails to repair the 

damage. 

Bearss, p. 275. 

January 1911 Latham inspects the fire damage and reported 

that 96 square feet of the Boat Room roof 

needed repair. He noted that the other shingle 

roofs were showing their age but should last for 

several more years. Latham estimated the 

repairs would cost $22.49 but could be reduced 

to $17.30 by using shingles on hand at the 

station. This expenditure was approved by the 

Acting General Superintendent. 

Bearss, p. 275. 

April 1-15, 

1911 

Using materials delivered to the site on March 

30, the life-saving crew repaired the fire damage 

over a two week period. The project used 2 1⁄2 

bundles of cypress shingles, 73 feet of spruce 

sheeting, 18 feet of roofing paper, 3 pounds of 

shingle nails, and 3 pounds of 10d nails. 

Bearss, p. 275. 

February 1912 The station crew bailed and cleaned the cistern. Bearss, p. 277. 

March 1912 The steps on the east/front porch were 

repaired. 

Bearss, p. 277 and 

fig. 28. 
56

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

April 11, 1912 Keeper Woolley has the crew begin painting 

both the interior and exterior of the station. 

The project continued until May 28 and 

expended 340 pounds white lead, 15 gallons raw 

linseed oil, 2 gallons turpentine, 1 pint japan 

dryer, and 1 quart spar varnish. The exterior 

was given two coats. The interior walls of the 

“main hallway from tower to the messroom” 

(Room 102), Mess Room, Kitchen, Pantry, and 

Keeper’s Room were given one coat; and the 

woodwork in the tower, Mess Room, Storm 

Clothes Room, Kitchen, Pantry, and Keeper’s 

Room were given one coat. The interior 

painting was not completed due to lack of 

supplies and the end of the life-saving season. 

Bearss, p. 278. 

October 1912 Keeper Woolley and three crewmen pick up an 

Oak Jewel heating stove no. 1018 from the 

Sandy Hook station keeper Lippincott. 

Bearss, p. 278. 

May 1913 The interior portions of the station that were 

not painted the previous year were completed. 

The supplies for the year included tints No. 24 

and No. 33, as they had during the previous 

interior painting project in 1906. Indicating 

that the interior paint colors were the same in 

1906 and 1912-13. 

Bearss, p. 279. 

October 1914 P. J. Latham, now Superintendent of 

Construction, spent a day inspecting the 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. He noted 

that the exterior walls and roof were shingled 

and the walls had not been painted. The inside 

walls were plastered with “open ceiled ceilings.” 

Bearss, p. 280. 

October 6, 

1914 

Latham’s report noted the following items that 

needed attention: re-shingle the station roof; 

renew the treads of the Tower ladder; replace 

broken glass in sashes throughout the station; 

renew some of the conductor pipe and elbows; 

replace worn out kitchen sink; repair/replace 

ramp from Boat Room (east elevation); renew 

floor in entry, Kitchen, Pantry, Mess Room, and 

Storm Clothes Room; lay floor and replace steps 

of rear porch using the old flooring from the 

Kitchen, etc.; renew floor in the Watch Room. 

The estimated cost of the repairs was $777.90. 

Latham also noted some less urgent repairs 

including: replacing the boardwalks with 

concrete walkways; renewing the gutters; 

repairing the shingled exterior walls of the 

station, and installing a water heating system. 

Bearss, pp. 281 – 283. 
57

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

January 1915 Prior to planning the projects identified by 

Latham the Life-Saving Service was 

reorganized. Bearss research indicated that 

none of the repairs took place until after 1915. 

Bearss further speculated that the roof was reshingled between October 1914 and December 

1918; concluding that this most likely occurred 

in 1918 (see subsequent entry). 

Bearss, pp. 283 & 287. 

January 28, 

1915 

Congress passed the Organic Act which joined 

the civilian U.S. Life-Saving Service with the 

military Revenue Cutter Service to form a new 

organization that was designated the United 

States Coast Guard. 

Shanks and York, pp. 

207 & 241. Bearss, pp. 

285 – 286. 

March 29, 

1915 

Spermaceti Cove station sign board was taken 

down, given two coats of paint, and re-lettered. 

The new sign read “U.S. Coast Guard, 

Spermaceti Cove Station.” 

Bearss, p. 287. 

July 29, 1916 The U.S. Coast Guard adopted a numerical 

system for identifying their stations. The 

Spermaceti Cove Station was designated station 

No. 98. 

Bearss, p. 287. 

October 28 – 

November 21, 

1916 

Implementing some of Latham’s previous 

recommendations new flooring was laid by the 

station crew in the Mess Room, Storm Clothes 

Room, Kitchen, Pantry, and hall to the west 

door. 

Bearss, pp. 287 – 288. 

November 

1916 

Conover E. White was contracted to install a 

new kitchen sink. It was a flat rim, white 

enameled iron kitchen sink that measured 18 

inches by 28 inches with one lead trap and one 

waste. 

Bearss, pp. 288 – 289. 

August 1917 Terry Martin was awarded a contract for 

replacing 42 feet of 4-inch 24-guage galvanized 

downspouts, eight corrugated elbows, and one 

4-inch Kuehn corrugated galvanized rainwater 

cutoff. The contract was awarded on August 29 

and presumably the work was completed soon 

after that. 

Bearss, p. 289. 

April 6, 1917 The United States declared war against 

Germany and the U.S. Coast Guard was 

transferred from the Treasury Department to 

the Navy Department. 

Bearss, pp. 289 – 290. 
58

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

January 31, 

1918 

Secretary of War Newton Baker wrote Secretary 

of Treasury MacAdoo that the Ordnance 

Department was going to construct a number of 

magazines for storing high explosives at the 

Sandy Hook Proving Ground. Baker requested 

that the Spermaceti Cove Station be 

discontinued during the national emergency. 

On February 25 the captain of Spermaceti Cove 

was directed to move his crew and apparatus 

from station 98 to station 99, Seabright, New 

Jersey. 

Bearss, p. 290. 

March 15, 

1918 

The February 25th order was implemented and 

by that afternoon the captain and his crew were 

ready to leave the station. The U.S. Army was 

responsible for the Spermaceti Cove station for 

the next 21 months. During that period the 

station became part of the Sandy Hook 

Ordnance Depot. 

Bearss, p. 291 and 

fig. 29. 

1918 Bearss’ research indicated that the station roof 

was re-shingled as part of a 1918 contract with 

Amsterdam Building Co. for the construction of 

the Sandy Hook Ordnance Depot. 

Bearss, p. 287. 

1918 – 1920 The Ordnance Department constructed an 

electric light plant for the station during the 

war. The electric light plant was apparently 

housed in a separate structure erected by the 

U.S. Army (the plant was transferred from the 

Army to the Coast Guard in 1933). A basement 

plan dated 1928 depicts electrical service in the 

basement. 

Bearss, pp. 293 – 294 

and p. 305 illustration 

“Plan of Spermaceti 

Cove Life-Saving 

Station, Fifth District, 

U.S. Coast Guard, April 

24, 1928.” Also see 

Appendix C. 

1918 – 1920 Of the documents reviewed, there were no 

other records of work performed at the 

Spermaceti Cove station during the 21 month 

period it was used by the U.S. Army. 

January 25, 

1920 

The Spermaceti Cove U.S. Coast Guard Station 

was re-commissioned and the station flag was 

raised at 5:00 p.m. 

Bearss, p. 291. 

March 20, 

1920 

Secretary of Treasury requested of the Secretary 

of War that the 200 square foot Spermaceti 

Cove station lot be increased to 500 feet by 520 

feet. 

Bearss, p. 291 and 

p. 302 illustration as 

well as fig. 31 of this 

report. 

April 26, 1920 Secretary of War approved the Secretary of 

Treasury’s request and the size of the 

Spermaceti Cove station lot was increased. 

Bearss, p. 292. 

April 13, 1920 A speaking tube system is installed at 

Spermaceti Cove by the supervisor of 

telephones. The materials were supplied under 

contract by Proctor and Jones, Asbury Park, NJ. 

Bearss, p. 293. 
59

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

circa 1920 Paint evidence indicated that the coffered 

ceilings were installed at this time. The coffered 

ceilings are extant in Rooms 102, 106 and 401. 

Appendix E, Paint 

Analysis, Samples P015, 

P016, P017, & P194. 

Spring 1921 The stepped (wooden) flagstaff for signal flags 

was replaced with a 50-foot steel tower 

purchased from Flint and Walling, Kendallville, 

Indiana. Historic photographs depict both the 

wooden flagstaff and the steel tower northeast 

of the station. 

Bearss, p. 293 and figs. 

16, 17 & 30 of this 

report. 

November 19, 

1923 

Delco Light Company was awarded the contract 

for supplying parts for the station’s electric light 

plant. The cost of the supplies was $200.68. 

Bearss, p. 293. 

June 1926 A 1-foot 41⁄2-inch square chimney was built in 

the Watch Room. It was a brick stack with a 6-

inch square flue and a 4-inch smoke pipe 

thimble. The chimney was located along the 

west wall and pierced the west slope of the 

Tower’s hip roof. 

Bearss p. 294. 

June 25 – July 

3, 1929 

Plumbing contractor William Curr and 

Company, Long Beach, NJ, installed the 

radiators and piping for the stations first “water 

heating system.” The Bearss report records that 

the project was for a water heating system and 

that the plumbers installed radiators. Plans 

dated 1928 depict a “Boiler” in the basement 

and radiators on the first, second, and third 

stories. It appeared as though the plans were in 

preparation for the new heating system and that 

the contract with Curr and Co. was for the hot 

water heating system. 

Bearss p. 297, p. 305 

illustration, and fig. 26 

of this report. 

circa 1930 Paint analysis and photographic evidence 

indicated that the original window opening 

(east opening on the south elevation) into the 

Storm Clothes Room was eliminated and 

replaced with two window openings (W104 and 

W105). The new window openings had doublehung sashes. 

Comparison of figures 

26 and 32 indicated that 

the window changes 

occurred between 1928 

and 1930. Also see fig. 

33 for exterior of 

window openings. 

circa 1930 Exterior wall shingles were painted white for 

the first time. The trim was also painted white 

and the sashes were painted dark green. 

See fig. 30 and 

Appendix E, Paint 

Analysis. 

circa 1930 Paint evidence indicated that the tongue-andgroove board walls (north, west, and east) and 

ceiling were installed in the Boat Room at this 

time. This was also the first paint application to 

the south clapboard wall in that room. The 

work may have coincided with other work at 

the station that same year. 

Appendix E, Paint 

Analysis, Samples P055, 

P056, & P060. 
60

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

circa 1930 The wooden ramp to the Boat Room double 

doorway was replaced with a concrete ramp. 

The wooden ramp extended the width of the 

Boat Room (approx. 25 feet). However, ca. 

1930 photographs depict a narrower ramp 

suggesting that the concrete ramp was installed 

during that time period. 

See figs. 26, 27 and 30. 

September 

1930 

Plans were prepared for “improving the water 

supply system, and the installation of a 

plumbing system, to provide toilet facilities” for 

the Spermaceti Cove station. 

Bearss pp. 297 – 298. 

November – 

December 

1930 

The Fifth District commander was authorized 

to spend up to $400 on the installation and $100 

on the fixtures for the plumbing at Spermaceti 

Cove. The descriptions suggested that the toilet 

for the captain was in the former closet off the 

Keeper’s Room. Based on the extant bathrooms 

and the descriptions, the toilets on the second 

story for the crew were located in the Locker 

Room along the north wall. 

Bearss pp. 297 – 298. 

circa 1935 Room 101 area below staircase enclosed (101a). Paint evidence. 

Summer 1935 Repairs were made to the drill pole and the 

cellar doors. 

Bearss p. 300. 

circa 1940 West elevation Boat Room window openings 

altered (W111 and W112). The 12-light awning 

sashes were removed; the openings were 

enlarged; and double-hung, nine-over-two 

sashes were installed. Photographs indicated 

that this change postdated 1920 and paint 

evidence suggested that the windows were 

altered in circa 1940. 

See fig. 29 and 

Appendix E, Paint 

Analysis, Samples P059 

& P061. 

circa 1942 A cantilevered catwalk/balcony was installed at 

the fourth story of the Tower. The balcony 

wrapped around the all four elevations of the 

Tower and was 3-feet wide on all sides. It was a 

wood framed structure supported by 4-inch by 

4-inch posts that were anchored to beams that 

were installed on the interior walls at the third 

story of the Tower. The balcony had a 

balustrade with four posts on each side, top and 

bottom rails, and balusters between the posts. A 

doorway to the catwalk was installed in the 

south wall of the tower between the two 

window openings (W405 and W406). 

See fig. 33 and 

Appendix C, five 

drawings of “Tower 

Plan.” Section 106 

compliance tracking # 

89-1775-005 for the 

“Catwalk Removal” 

documented that the 

structure was 

constructed between 

1939 and 1942. 

circa 1945 The U.S. Coast Guard decommissioned the 

Spermaceti Cove Station, No. 98. The station 

was listed as active in 1940 but did not appear in 

the Coast Guard records in 1945 after WWII. 

U.S. Coast Guard 

History website, URL: 

http://www.uscg.mil/ 

history/STATIONS/ 
61

Figure 26. Plan of Spermaceti Cove Station, Fifth District, U.S. Coast Guard, April 24, 1928, depicting 1909 alterations to the station 

including the addition of the basement staircase closet at the west end of the Storm Clothes Room. 

Note the south elevation window opening for the Storm Clothes Room appears to be extant in 1928. 
62

Figure 27. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Capt. Joel Wolley and crew circa 

1912, depicting east elevation post-1909 alterations to the Boat Room doorways. 

Figure 28. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Capt. Joel Wolley (second from 

right) and crew circa 1912, depicting east elevation and historic porch elements. 
63

Figure 29. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, during use by U.S. Ordnance 

Dept. circa 1918, depicting west elevation. 

Figure 30. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, circa 1930, depicting east 

elevation exterior paint and steel tower north of station. 
64

Figure 31. Plot plan of Spermaceti Cove, after 1920, depicting 500 by 520 foot lot and adjacent out buildings 

including the 1849 station northwest of the 1894 station (within the earlier 200 sq. ft. lot). 
65

Figure 32. U.S. Coast Guard, Spermaceti Cove Station, 1930, depicting east elevation porch 

and interior window openings in Storm Clothes Room circled in the background. 
66

Sandy Hook State Park and National Park Service Years, 

1962 to 2008 

There was little documentation of the alterations to the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving 

Station between 1945 and 1974 when it was officially taken over by the National Park Service 

(NPS). In 1949 the Governor of New Jersey appointed a committee “to secure all or part of 

the Sandy Hook peninsula for state use” and in 1950 established the “Sandy Hook 

Reservation Authority Act of 1950.”62 Between 1950 and 1961 the station was used by a local 

“Sea Scouts” group for overnight visits.63 There appeared to be no significant alterations 

during that time period. Under the “Sandy Hook Reservation Authority Act of 1950” the area 

was established as Sandy Hook State Park in 1962.64 The Spermaceti Cove station was used 

by the New Jersey Division of Parks for park operations that included nature exhibit rooms, 

administrative and park superintendent’s offices and quarters on the first story. The second 

story was used by life guard staff as a break room. The Boat Room was used by maintenance 

staff into the early 1970s. The Brookdale Community College established a Marine 

Biology/Oceanography Learning Lab on the second story in 1968 and the building was 

designated “Spermaceti Cove Nature Center” until 1974. Gateway National Recreation Area 

was established in 1972 and when the NPS took over the station in 1974 it was established as 

the “Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center.”65 In 1976 exhibits were installed in the Boat Room66

 62 Joseph J. Truncer, A Plan for the Organization, Development and Operation Under the Sandy Hook 

Reservation Authority Act of 1950. Trenton, NJ: Governors Committee to Study the Proposal for a 

Recreational Park on the Sandy Hook Reservation. 63 Thomas Hoffman, Park Historian, to Lou Venuto, Chief of Interpretation & Cultural Resources, 

4/20/2004. Lou Venuto, NPS email records. 

64 Truncer. 

65 Hoffman to Venuto, 4/20/2004. 

66 Ibid. 

Figure 33. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station circa 1974. 
67

and other exhibits in the station have been updated by the NPS throughout its tenure. 

Correspondence with the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry did not uncover any 

maintenance records for the State Park period. Most alterations by the NPS were 

documented by the Section 106 compliance records, which were reviewed when compiling 

the following section. Examination of extant building materials and paint analysis were also 

relied upon in determining building alterations. 

The most significant alterations to the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station during this 

period were made when the building was used by the State Park. These included enclosing 

the porches, renovating interior rooms, removing original partitions, and adding a second 

story egress on the south elevation. During the NPS tenure Gateway NRA has made efforts to 

maintain the station and restore some elements to their historic appearance. Indeed the most 

significant alterations during the last thirty-four years have been the removal of non-historic 

elements and the restoration of historic features. 

Brief Chronology 1962 through 2008 

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

1962 – 1973 During the period that the life-saving station 

was used by the State Park it appeared that some 

renovations were made to the first story. The 

partition between the Mess Room and the 

Storm Clothes Room was removed creating one 

large exhibit room (Room 104). The room was 

rehabilitated with gypsum board walls and 

ceilings and new window, doorway, baseboard, 

and cornice trim. The stairway closet to the 

basement (Room 104a) remains in the same 

location but the doorway was moved from the 

Kitchen to Room 104. Based on paint evidence, 

the existing doorway to Room 104a has an 

original door that may have been used in the 

doorway from the Storm Clothes Room to the 

Mess Room. The partition between the Kitchen 

and Pantry was removed creating a larger room 

(Room 105) that was finished with gypsum 

board walls and ceilings and replacement trim 

elements. Physical evidence suggested that the 

Keeper’s Room (Room 107) was also altered 

during this period and was again altered in ca. 

1975 by the NPS. During the first renovation a 

doorway (D115) between Room 107 and Room 

104 was added. Also during this period the 

north elevation Boat Room doorway was 

altered; the sliding door was removed; the 

opening was framed in; and a standard sized 

doorway was installed within the original 

opening. 

Alterations to the 

exterior and interior 

building elements were 

based on physical 

evidence and 

comparative paint 

analysis. 
68

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

1962 – 1973 

continued 

Other building elements that were altered 

during that time period and into the NPS period 

included walls and ceilings in Room 101, Room 

201, Room 202, and Room 301. It also appeared 

that the second story was altered by the 

addition of Room 204 that created a second 

bathroom. 

Alterations based on 

physical evidence and 

comparative paint 

analysis. 

circa 1962 Front and back porches were enclosed by the 

State Park. The front porch enclosure was 

wood framed and had exterior shingled walls, a 

pair of window openings on the south elevation, 

and a doorway centered on the east elevation 

that was flanked by two pair of window 

openings. Paneling was installed on the interior 

walls and ceiling. The back porch enclosure 

was framed with 2-inch by 4-inch lumber. The 

exterior walls were shingled and a doorway was 

installed on the west elevation. There was one 

window opening on the south elevation, one on 

the west elevation, and one on the north 

elevation (see the subsequent section “Current 

Physical Description”). Paint evidence 

indicated that the shed roof above the Boat 

Room east elevation doorways was added at 

that time. 

See figs. 33, 34 & 35 and 

Hoffman to Venuto, 

4/20/2004. 

circa 1968 A second egress from the second story was 

added to the south elevation. The east window 

opening on that elevation was altered to 

accommodate a doorway (D206) and a wood 

framed stairway leading from the second story 

to the ground was constructed along the south 

elevation of the building. 

Work associated with 

use of the second story 

by Brookdale 

Community College 

(fig. 33). 

January – 

February 1975 

Plywood and carpet was installed over the Boat 

Room floor. 

Hoffman to Venuto, 

4/20/2004. 

February/ 

March 1975 

NPS maintenance staff constructed bathroom 

facilities for the visitor’s center. The Women’s 

Room was installed in the former Keeper’s 

Office (Room 103) and the Men’s Room was 

installed in the former closet space (Room 108). 

It appears that the window opening for the 

Men’s Room (W110) was installed in the west 

elevation at the same time. The construction of 

the Men’s Room (Room 108) included the 

demolition of the north wall in the Keeper’s 

Room (Room 107) and construction of a new 

wall south of the original (for detailed room and 

window descriptions see the subsequent section 

“Current Physical Description”). 

See fig. 36 and Hoffman 

to Venuto, 4/20/2004. 
69

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

February/ 

March 1975 

NPS maintenance staff rehabilitate north 

elevation Boat Room doorway and install new 

door in place of non-historic standard door 

from previous alteration. 

See fig. 37 and Hoffman 

to Venuto, 4/20/2004. 

1976 All roofs and the upper stories of the Tower and 

the tower connector were re-shingled. The 

Tower shingles were left unpainted with the 

intention of re-shingling the entire station in the 

future and leaving it unpainted as it appeared 

historically. 

See note in Section 106 

compliance tracking # 

87-1775-003 and 

figs. 38 & 39. 

June 8, 1979 

(approved) 

The project for repainting the exterior of the 

station was approved. The exterior wood 

shingles were painted white and the trim was 

painted white. 

Section 106 Assessment 

of Effect on Cultural 

Resources, compliance 

tracking # 79-1775-005. 

August 28, 

1985 

(approved) 

Safety railings were installed at the Visitors 

Center. No details of this project were available 

but it was apparently for exterior railings to the 

former visitor’s entrance. 

Section 106 Assessment 

of Effect on Cultural 

Resources, compliance 

tracking # 85-1775-011. 

July 14,1986 

(approved) 

Older non-historic exterior lighting was 

removed and replaced with improved weather 

proof lighting. The new lighting was installed in 

the same location causing no additional damage 

to the building. 

Section 106 Assessment 

of Effect on Cultural 

Resources, compliance 

tracking # 86-1775-010. 

September 21, 

1987 

(approved) 

The exterior shingles were removed, except the 

Tower, and replaced in kind. The shingles were 

replaced with cedar shingles that were laid with 

a 6-inch reveal. The re-shingling project was 

completed in 1988. The exterior walls were left 

unpainted to match the historic appearance of 

the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. 

Section 106 Assessment 

of Effect on Cultural 

Resources, compliance 

tracking # 87-1775-003. 

August 5, 1991 

(approved) 

The deteriorated condition of the 

catwalk/balcony led to the removal of part of 

the structure. The proposed project called for 

removing the entire catwalk/balcony. The 

project included patching the exterior shingles 

and covering the doorway to the catwalk. 

Removing the catwalk restored the exterior of 

the Tower to its historic appearance. 

Section 106 Assessment 

of Effect on Cultural 

Resources, compliance 

tracking # 89-1775-005. 

December 16, 

1992 

(approved) 

The project removed the homosote building 

board that was used to cover two original 

window openings (W102 and W103). The 

covers were removed and the existing 

aluminum sashes were replaced with double 

hung, nine-over-two sashes that were replicas 

of the original sashes. The project included 

removing masonite attached to the interior wall 

of the exhibit room (Room 104) and 

rehabilitating that wall. 

Section 106 Assessment 

of Effect on Cultural 

Resources, compliance 

tracking # 92-1775-009 

(fig. 34). 
70

Date Description and Comments Source of Information 

February 11, 

1999 

(approved) 

Assessment to replace the east elevation Boat 

Room doors with new double-leaf doors based 

on historic photographs. The doors were 

replaced by NPS maintenance staff soon after 

the assessment. Note that the original doors 

were sliding doors and the double-leaf hinged 

doors were installed in 1909. 

Section 106 Assessment 

of Effect on Cultural 

Resources, compliance 

tracking # 98-1775-

001A. 

March 29, 

2004 

(approved) 

Project title: Rehabilitate Porch and 

Handicapped Accessibility, Sandy Hook 

Visitors Center, SH-436. The project restored 

the front porch to its historic appearance, 

which included removing the ca. 1962 porch 

enclosure and replicating historic porch 

elements based on photographic evidence. 

Handicapped Accessibility to the building was 

moved to the north elevation of the Boat Room. 

The north elevation doorway (D104) was made 

accessible and a concrete walkway was installed 

in front of the entrance. Existing accessible 

boardwalks and walkways led from the parking 

lot to the new concrete walkway. The project 

was completed in 2005. 

Section 106 Assessment 

of Effect on Cultural 

Resources, compliance 

tracking # 03-1775-018. 

May 24, 2007 

(approved) 

Project title: Paint Exteriors of Three Historic 

Visitor Use Buildings. The 1894 Spermaceti 

Cove Life-Saving Station (SH-436) was among 

the buildings to be painted. The project 

description included: rehabilitation and 

replacement of window opening elements, 

including trim and sashes (project describes 

sash replacement in detail); exterior painting of 

doorways, doors, porch, soffits, cornice, 

dormers and window opening elements. All 

building elements and window opening 

elements were to be painted in accordance with 

the Sandy Hook Paint Plan. That plan, updated 

on 09/26/2001, called for most elements to be 

painted Brilliant White, for the porch floors to 

be painted Haze Gray and the roof vents to be 

painted Flat Gray Bridge. The project has not 

been completed and the color choices may 

change based on the current paint analysis 

(Appendix E). 

Section 106 Assessment 

of Effect on Cultural 

Resources, compliance 

tracking # 07-1775-010 

and Sandy Hook 

Historic Structures 

Paint Plan, August 

2000, specifications for 

SH-436, Spermaceti 

Cove Life-Saving 

Station, updated on 

09/26/2001. 
71

Figure 34. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, circa 1976, depicting interior 

of front porch after conversion to Sandy Hook Visitor Center. 

Figure 35. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, depicting west elevation 

exterior of enclosed back porch. 
72

Figure 36. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Feb/March 1975, 

depicting interior of Boat Room during rehabilitation looking west; 

note the window opening from the Keeper’s Office into the Boat 

R

Figure 37. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Feb/March 1975 

depicting interior of Boat Room north wall enclosing wide doorway. 
73

Figure 38. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, circa 1976, south and east 

elevations after re-shingling of Tower and roofs. 

Figure 39. Spermaceti Cove LifeSaving Station, circa 1976 south 

and east elevations of Tower and 

connector after re-shingling of 

upper stories of Tower and roofs. 

75

CURRENT PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION 

Introduction

The following section is a description of the existing exterior and interior elements of the 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. This section is meant to augment the descriptions in 

the preceding sections “Original Appearance” and “Alterations.” The descriptions in those 

sections that are part of the current physical description will not be repeated in detail in the 

following section. In the following sections the rooms, doorways and window openings are 

designated by numbers assigned for this project (figs. 22, 23, & 24). 

Some of the measurements in the following section are based on the extensive building 

measuring project in 1988 by Peter Dessauer and Richard Wells (Appendix C). During the 

current project some of the measurements were corroborated and missing dimensions were 

recorded. Appendix C should be consulted for additional exterior and interior 

measurements. 

Figure 40. 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

east elevation. 
76

Exterior Elements

Design 

The extant Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station retains its original configuration, which 

reflects the design elements of the Duluth-type Life-Saving Station (figs. 40 – 44). 

Main Block 

The structure has three components making up the whole building. The Main Block was 

built as the living quarters for the station keeper and life-saving crew. This is essentially a 

one-and-a-half story structure with a clipped-gable roof oriented north-south (fig. 41). On 

the south gable-end at the level of the second story a horizontal molding runs the width of the 

elevation forming a belt course. Above the belt course the wall is slightly flared. Both the east 

and west elevations are one-story high with long sloping roofs that have a double-window 

dormer at the second story. On the first story of the west elevation is a small porch that was 

enclosed when the building was used by the State Park. The west elevation entrance to the 

Main Block is through this porch (fig. 42). The first story of the east elevation has an open 

porch at the south end of the wall and a four-story Tower is positioned at the north corner of 

the elevation. The east elevation has an entry doorway under the porch that is currently not 

in use. The Boat Room is attached to the north elevation of the Main Block. The second 

story of the north elevation rises above the roof of the Boat Room and has a modified 

clipped-gable roof that is intersected by the slope of the roof connecting the Tower with the 

Main Block (fig. 43). 

Boat Room 

The Boat Room is attached to the north elevation of the Main Block (fig. 43). It is a one-story 

structure with a shallow-sloped gable roof that runs north-south. The east and west 

elevations are both one-story high. The east elevation faces the beach and has two large 

doorways and a boat ramp. The north elevation exhibits the wide gable roof and has an entry 

doorway near the west corner of the building. On the north elevation at the top of the first 

story wall is a molded belt course separating the first story wall from the gable-end. Just 

above the belt course the wall is slightly flared. 

Tower 

The Tower is a four-story square structure that has a look-out station at the top. As 

previously described it is attached to the east elevation of the Main Block (figs. 41 & 44). A 

small gable roof above the second story connects the west elevation of the Tower to the gable 

roof of the Main Block. The north elevation of the Tower abuts the Boat Room and the 

second, third and fourth stories of the north elevation rise above the slope of the Boat Room 
77

roof. The south elevation of the Tower is four-stories high and has a doorway on the first 

story leading from the east porch to the interior of the Tower. The east elevation of the 

Tower is four-stories high and the fourth story of the west elevation rises above the small 

gable roof connecting the Tower to the Main Block. The lower stories of the Tower are 

pierced with small window openings and the lookout station at the fourth story has two 

window openings on all sides. All sides of the window section of the fourth story overhang 

the lower portion of the Tower and the overhang is supported by brackets (fig. 45). The 

Tower has a hip roof that flares at the eaves. 

Foundation 

Main Block 

The foundation under the main block of the life-saving station is poured concrete. The 

concrete foundation carries the sills of the building’s living quarters but does not extend 

beneath the boat room (Room 109) or the Tower. The concrete walls are 12 inches thick set 

on a 20 inch wide footing. This foundation was installed in 1909 as recorded by Bearss and 

documented in the specifications for the work (Bearss p. 305 and Appendix D). 

A bulkhead entrance to the basement is located on the south elevation of the building and 

was also installed in 1909. It is a concrete structure that measures 5 feet 6 inches wide by 6 

feet 1 inch long. The below grade walls are 8 inches thick and extend above grade to form the 

east and west walls of the bulkhead. The top of the bulkhead has wooden frame work and 

double doors. The frame of the bulkhead doorway is 8 inches wide and together the double 

doors measure 4 feet 2 inches wide. The doors are constructed with tongue-and-groove 

beaded boards and attached with galvanized strap hinges. The east door has a galvanized 

handle and an additional board on the inside edge to cover the junction of the two doors. 

Metal flashing is installed at the junction of the bulkhead and the south wall of the building 

and extends beneath the fourth course of siding shingles. The bulkhead doorway has been 

repaired and rebuilt several times since the building served the U.S. Coast Guard. 

The window openings at the basement level have been filled in, as were the concrete wells for 

those window openings. The only other opening is a 3 foot 3 inch wide opening in the north 

wall of the foundation that leads to a crawl space beneath the boat room (Room 109). The 

opening is framed with dimensional boards and is covered with a screen. 

Cistern 

A cistern is located adjacent to the south wall of the foundation, near the southwest corner of 

the building. The construction of the cistern was a change order to the original specifications 

for the life-saving station. The drawings and specifications approved by Sumner Increase 

Kimball, General Superintendent of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, were based on plans by 

George Tolman, which were included as drawing number 11 in the plans for the Duluth type 

station (Appendix A). The cistern as specified in 1894 was 9 feet 4 inches wide by 11 feet long 

by 9 feet deep. The walls of the cistern were constructed with Rosendale cement and the 

inside walls were parged with Portland cement. The extant cistern appears to be the same 
78

structure that was specified in 1894. The top of the cistern is the only portion of the structure 

above ground. It is a rounded concrete cover with a circular opening in the center that is 

covered with a concrete cap. This cover appears to be a later alteration to the cistern since it 

was not specified in the 1894 documents and is not similar to the cover illustrated in the plans 

for the Duluth type station. 

Boat Room 

The foundation for the boat room (Room 109) appears to be a concrete structure that 

extends just below grade. The structure of the boat room is supported by brick piers that 

replaced the earlier wooden piers. Some of the wooden piers remain extant. 

Tower 

The exterior of the Tower foundation is concrete and appears to extend below grade. Since 

the interior of this foundation was not accessible it was not possible to determine the extent 

of the foundation. 

Walls 

Main Block 

All exterior walls of the Main Block are covered with unfinished wood shingles, which were 

installed by the NPS (figs. 40 - 42). The only section of shingles that was not replaced is on 

the west elevation inside the west porch enclosure. Those shingles have several layers of 

paint on them and are quite possibly original to the building. The side walls of the west and 

east dormers are also covered with unfinished shingles. A baseboard runs along the foot of 

the east wall above the porch floor. 

All elevations of the building have a cyma recta cornice molding that extends along the top of 

the exterior walls below the roof line. The west cornice molding is applied over a fascia 

board and continues below the roof line of the porch as well. On the north and south 

elevations the same molding was used for the rake boards of the gable roof but with no fascia 

board. The molding is continued on the rake of the south elevation of the east porch roof. 

The cyma recta molding is also applied to the south elevation belt course with a fascia board. 

The fascia and molding are also applied on the cornice of both the north and south elevations 

below the roof connecting the Tower and Main Block. 

Boat Room 

The walls of the Boat Room are also covered with unfinished wood shingles. On the north 

elevation the slight flare above the belt course is wood shingled, as is the rest of the gableend. 
79

The cornice of the Boat Room features the same fascia and cyma recta molding as the Main 

Block. The belt course on the north elevation gable-end is constructed with similar elements 

and the rake boards are also molded. 

Tower 

The walls of the Tower are clad with wood shingles and a 53⁄4-inch high water table is 

installed at the base of the east wall. 

The cornice below the overhanging fourth story has a fascia with molded trim and carved 

brackets that support the overhang. The base of the fourth story wall has a flat skirt and the 

cornice at the top of that wall has a fascia board and a cyma recta molding below the soffit 

and eave of the roof. 

Doorways 

Main Block 

On the east elevation of the Main Block is the doorway (D102) that originally led to the Storm 

Clothes Room. The doorway has a plain board surround that is 51⁄2 inches wide, which 

appears to be the same casing that was specified in the original plans. The threshold is 6 

inches deep and extends just beyond the edge of the surround. The doorway has a six panel 

door with two top glazed panels. The lower four panels are raised and have a cyma recta 

molding framing each panel. The door is also similar to the plans for the Duluth-type station. 

The door is hinged on the south side of the doorway with three butt hinges. The handle on 

the north side of the door is a modern locking-knob handle. The interpretive displays inside 

the building have blocked this doorway. 

On the west elevation the doorway (D103) leads to a rear entry hall near the former kitchen. 

This doorway is accessed from the west porch, which is currently enclosed. Like D102, D103 

appears to retain original elements including a plain board surround and a six panel door 

with two glazed panels and four raised panels. The door is hinged on the south side of the 

doorway and hung with three butt hinges. The door has a more recent brass knob set and a 

separate dead-bolt lock above that. 

Boat Room 

The western most bay of the Boat Room originally had a wide doorway on the north 

elevation that was the egress for the apparatus cart. That doorway was altered in the 1970s 

and a smaller doorway that is 3 feet wide and 6 feet 8 inches high was installed. The present 

doorway (D104) serves as the visitor’s entrance to the building. The sides of the doorway 

surround are plain boards that are 23⁄4 inches wide and the lintel is 31⁄4 inches wide with 

flashing along the top edge. The modern wooden door has six lights over two panels and is 

hung on the east jamb with three modern butt hinges. The door has a stainless steel locking 

handle and is equipped with a pneumatic closer. 
80

The east elevation of the Boat Room is dominated by two wide doorways (D105 & D106) that 

served as access for the surf boats and boat carriages (fig. 46). Both of the doorways are 9 feet 

9 inches wide and 9 feet 7 inches high. The doorways have plain board surrounds and wide 

lintel trim. A shed roof extends over both doorways and is an alteration from the original 

appearance (see the subsequent section “Roofs, Boat Room”). 

Each doorway has a set of double doors that were reconstructed by the NPS. The doors are 

composed with vertical tongue-and-groove boards attached to stile-and-rail frames with 

cross braces. Each door is hung on three strap hinges on pintles that are driven into the trim 

and framing of the doorways. The hinges were fabricated by the NPS to replace the 

deteriorated historic hinges. Their design was based on the historic hinges and they are 

similar to those depicted in historic photographs. 

Tower 

The Tower has one exterior doorway on the south elevation (D101). This appears to have 

been the formal entry to the building but was probably rarely used by the crew who would 

enter through D102 and the Storm Clothes Room. The doorway (D101) appears to be similar 

to the doorway specified in the 1893 plans for the Duluth-type station. The doorway 

surround is constructed with 51⁄2 inch wide plain boards and the canted doorway threshold 

extends to the outer edges of the side trim. There are scars on the east jamb of the doorway 

indicating that a screen door was hinged on that side of the opening. 

The door has six panels the top two of which are glazed and the lower four are raised. The 

door is hinged on the east jamb with three butt hinges. The door has a locking-knob brassplated handle and both the knob and hinges appear to be alterations from the original 

hardware. 

Window Openings 

The 1893 plans for the Duluth-type station and historic photographs of the Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station helped determine the original fenestration and identify alterations made 

to the building’s window openings. The plans for the station type depict several different 

window-opening sizes and sash types that range from two-light awning sashes to doublehung, twelve-over-two sashes. The extant window openings in the Spermaceti Cove Station 

represent both original fenestration and changes to the building (figs. 47 & 48). 

Throughout the building some of the window elements have been repaired or replaced, but 

some original elements have been preserved. The window openings in the Tower 

correspond to the original arrangement and to those specified in the Duluth-type station 

plans (fig. 47). The window openings in the Main Block demonstrate both original openings 

and alterations to the building. The two window openings on the west side of the Boat Room 

were altered but the three first story window openings (W113 – W115) on the north elevation 

of the Boat Room are original to the structure and retain original elements. Those three 

window openings have molded surrounds that are representative of the original trim. The 
81

molding profile consists of an outer fillet, a quirked cyma reversa, and an inner fillet. The 

same surround is used on some of the Tower windows and was probably originally applied to 

the other window openings of the life-saving station. The extant windows are further 

described in the following window schedule, which describes the exterior elements of the 

window openings and the sashes. The interior trim elements will be described in the 

subsequent section on “Interior Elements.” 

First Story Exterior Window Elements 

Window Opening No. 

& Location 

Window Description 

W101, Tower, east 

elevation 

W101 is a double window on the first story of the Tower. It has two 

double-hung, one-over-one sashes and each window openings has 

an aluminum combination storm window. Historic photographs 

and plans indicate that historically the window openings had 

double-hung, six-over-six sashes. The double window has a 43⁄4-

inch wide surround and a 21⁄4-inch wide flashed lintel trim extends 

over both window openings. The double windows are separated by 

a 51⁄2-inch wide mullion and a 11⁄2-inch thick window sill extends 

below both window openings. 

W102 & W103, Main 

Block, east elevation 

W102 and W103 are original window openings on the first story of 

the Main Block. However, the exterior window trim and sashes 

have been replaced. Both window openings have double-hung, 

nine-over-two sashes that were constructed to replicate the original 

sashes. The interior muntin profiles have an outer fillet, an 

elongated quarter-round and an inner fillet. The window 

surrounds are constructed with 23⁄4-inch wide plain boards with a 

rounded inner edge. Both window openings have a beveled cap 

over the lintel trim and the sills are 11⁄4 inches thick. A previous 

window survey suggested that the original sashes were moved to 

W111 and W112. The current research could not confirm this, but 

the sash size and configuration of W111 and W112 matches the 

historic sashes of openings W102 and W103. 

W104 & W105, Main 

Block, south elevation 

W104 and W105 were installed in the location of a single window 

opening that opened into the former Storm Clothes Room. The 

original window was replaced with two window openings each with 

double-hung sashes. The window openings currently have oneover-one sashes and each window opening has an aluminum 

combination storm window. Both window openings have 21⁄4-inch 

wide surrounds, flashed lintel trim, and 11⁄4-inch thick window sills. 

W106, Main Block, 

south elevation 

W106 is a small window opening that measures 2 feet 2 inches wide 

by 3 feet high. It has a single sash with two lights separated by a 

horizontal muntin. The sash is hinged at the top and opens out, 

which is typically referred to as an awning window or awning sash. 

The window opening is trimmed with a 21⁄2-inch wide plain board 

surround and the lintel trim is flashed. This window was installed 

in 1909 when the basement of the building was constructed (Bearss, 

Appendix D). 
82

First Story Exterior Window Elements continued 

Window Opening No. 

& Location 

Window Description 

W107, Main Block, 

south elevation 

W107 is one of the original openings on this elevation and originally 

opened into the kitchen of the station. It currently has doublehung, two-over-two sashes. It appears that the top sash is a 

replacement due to the wide center muntin that does not match the 

typical muntins in the historic sashes. This was corroborated by 

paint evidence. In addition the plans for the Duluth-type station 

depict twelve-over-two sashes. The window opening is trimmed 

with 41⁄2-inch wide plain board surround on the sides and a 3-inch 

wide flashed lintel. The window has an aluminum combination 

storm window that is in poor condition. 

W108, Main Block, 

south elevation 

W108 is also an original opening that had opened into the pantry. It 

is a small window opening that is 2 feet 5 inches wide by 3 feet 11⁄2 

inches high. The existing window openings has a single-light, fixed 

sash and the pane of glass is held in place by quarter-round trim 

attached to the interior sash frame. The window opening has a 21⁄4-

inch wide plain board surround with flashed lintel trim. The 

previous window survey suggested that the current sash was moved 

from a fourth story Tower window opening. 

W109, Main Block, 

west elevation 

W109 is an original opening that retains its original sashes. The 

window opening has double-hung, twelve-over-two sashes similar 

to the sashes specified in the plans for the Duluth-type station. The 

interior muntin profiles have an outer fillet, an elongated quarterround and an inner fillet. The window surround is constructed 

with 41⁄2-inch wide plain board surround on the sides and a 31⁄4-inch 

wide flashed lintel. The window has an aluminum combination 

storm window. 

W110, Main Block, 

west elevation 

W110 is not original and was probably added to the west elevation 

of the building when the restroom (Room 108) was installed. The 

window opening has double-hung, one-over-one sashes. The 

window surround is constructed with 41⁄2-inch wide plain board 

surround and the lintel is lintel. The sill is 11⁄2 inches thick and has a 

11⁄2-inch wide apron that appears to be a recent addition. The 

window has an aluminum combination storm window. 

W111, Boat Room, 

west elevation 

W111 is in the location of an original window opening but was 

altered from a smaller opening with a single sash to larger opening 

with double-hung sashes. The current sashes are double-hung, 

nine-over-two. The window opening has a 33⁄4-inch wide surround 

with a flashed lintel. The window sill is 11⁄4 inches thick and has a 

11⁄2-inch wide apron below it. The window has an aluminum storm 

window and an air conditioning unit has been installed in the 

opening. Previous research suggested that the sashes were moved 

from the east elevation (W102 or W103). Given the sash size and 

configuration, and muntin profile that appears possible. 
83

First Story Exterior Window Elements continued 

Window Opening No. 

& Location 

Window Description 

W112, Boat Room, 

west elevation 

W112 is also an original opening that has been altered. The window 

opening has the same elements as W111 but does not have an AC 

unit. The window sill and apron have been recently replaced but 

the other elements appear to date from the installation of the extant 

window. As with W111, previous research suggested that W112 was 

moved from the east elevation. Paint samples from W112 could not 

confirm this but given the sash configuration it possible that the 

sashes were moved from W103 or W102 to this location. 

W113, W114, & W115, 

Boat Room, north 

elevation 

W113, W114, and W115 are all original window openings that 

retain their historic elements. Each window opening has a single 

sash with twelve lights and muntins matching the other historic 

sashes. The sashes are hinged at the top and open out and are 

typically referred to as awning sashes. All of the window openings 

are framed on four sides with a casing that has an outer fillet, cyma 

reversa, and inner fillet profile. All of the window openings have 

interior storm sashes. Similar windows were originally installed in 

the locations of W111 and W112. 

Second Story Exterior Window Elements 

Window Opening No. 

& Location 

Window Description 

W201, Tower, east 

elevation (fig. 47) 

W201 is an original window opening on the east elevation of the 

Tower. Typical of the smaller window openings in the Tower it 

measures 1 foot 21⁄4 inches wide by 2 feet 1 inch high. Historic 

photographs and the plans for the Duluth-type station indicate that 

the window openings historically had casement sashes with six 

lights. Presently the W201 has a single fixed sash with one light. 

The exterior window surround was constructed with a molding that 

matches the historic elements on other windows (W113 – W115, 

etc.). Flashing is installed over the lintel trim of the window. 

W202, Tower, south 

elevation 

W202 is also an original window opening that historically had a sixlight casement sash. The extant elements of W202 are similar to 

W201 including the one-light fixed sash. In addition W202 has an 

exterior wooden storm window. 

W203, Main Block, 

south elevation of 

connector to Tower 

W203 is an original window opening located in the south elevation 

of the gabled connector between the Main Block and the Tower. 

The window opens into the second floor hallway (Room 202) and 

originally had a six-light casement sash. The window opening 

currently has a fixed sash with one light. The window surround is 

constructed with molding similar to W201 and W202 that appears 

to be original. The lintel trim of the window is flashed. 
84

Second Story Exterior Window Elements continued 

Window Opening No. 

& Location 

Window Description 

W204 & W205, Main 

Block, east elevation 

dormer 

W204 and W205 form a double window in the east elevation 

dormer. Both window openings have double-hung, one-over-one 

sashes and aluminum storm windows. The window openings are 

trimmed with a plain board surround and separated by a 6 inch 

wide plain-board mullion. Historic photographs and plans depict 

double-hung, four-over-four sashes that were replaced. Quarterround molding is applied where the lintel trim intersects the eaves 

of the overhanging dormer roof. 

W206, Main Block, 

south elevation 

W206 is an original window opening. The window opening 

originally had double-hung, nine-over-two sashes and presently has 

double-hung, two-over-two sashes. The extant window surround 

in 23⁄4-inch wide plain board and the lintel trim is flashed. W206 has 

an aluminum storm window but the screens and sashes are missing. 

The south elevation of the Main Block originally had two window 

openings at the second story level but the east opening was altered 

to a doorway when the emergency egress (D206) was installed. 

W207 & W208, Main 

Block, west elevation 

dormer (fig. 48) 

W207 and W208 form a double window in the west elevation 

dormer. Each window opening has double-hung, four-over-four 

sashes that appear to be the original sashes. The double window is 

trimmed with a plain board surround and a wide mullion separates 

the two window openings. 

W209, Main Block, 

north elevation 

W209 is located in the Main Block above the roof of the Boat Room. 

It is an original window opening that had a single sash with six 

lights. The window is currently closed off with plywood but retains 

what appears to be historic trim. The window surround is 

constructed with a cyma reversa molding that is similar to other 

original trim on the building. The lintel trim is flashed. 

W210, Main Block, 

north elevation 

W210 is located on the north elevation of the Main Block. It is not 

an original window opening and was probably installed when the 

second story restroom was added in 1930. Presently the window is 

blocked off with plywood. The window opening is trimmed with a 

plain board surround and the lintel trim is flashed. 

W211, Main Block, 

north elevation 

W211 is an original window opening on the north elevation of the 

connector to the Main Block. It originally had a single sash with six 

lights. The window surround is constructed with molded boards 

that appear to match other historic trim elements on the building. 

W212, Tower, north 

elevation 

W212 is an original window opening in the Tower. It is similar to 

other second story Tower window openings and originally had a 

single casement sash with six lights. The window opening presently 

has a fixed single sash with one light. The window opening is 

trimmed with a molded surround like the other Tower windows 

(W201 & W202). 
85

Second Story Exterior Window Elements continued 

Window Opening No. 

& Location 

Window Description 

W213, Boat Room, 

north elevation 

W213 is in the location of an original window opening. Historic 

photographs and plans depict a fanlight window sash that was 

centered in the north gable-end of the Boat Room. The window 

opening was altered and there are no remaining elements of the 

historic window. Presently the window opening is covered with 

plywood and there is no visible trim around the existing opening. 

Third Story Exterior Window Elements 

Window Opening No. 

& Location 

Window Description 

W301, Tower, east 

elevation 

W301 is an original Tower window opening. Like the window 

openings on the second story of the Tower, it is a small opening and 

presently has a single fixed sash with one light. The documentary 

evidence indicated that the window originally had a casement sash 

with six lights. The window surround is constructed with the 

original cyma reversa molding found on the other Tower window 

openings and the lintel trim is flashed. 

W302, Tower, south 

elevation 

W302 is typical of the Tower window openings found on the second 

and third stories. It currently has a single fixed sash with one light 

and a molded surround. Historic photographs and plans indicate 

that this was an original opening. 

W303, Tower, north 

elevation 

W303 is one of two original window openings on the north 

elevation of the Tower. As previously described, the Tower 

windows on this level have similar elements. W303 is no exception; 

it has a single fixed sash with one light, the window surround has a 

cyma reversa profile and the lintel trim is flashed. 

W304, Tower, north 

elevation 

W304 is the east window opening on the north elevation of the 

Tower. It has similar elements to W303 including a single fixed sash 

with one light. Like the other Tower windows on this level, the sash 

is a replacement for the original casement sash with six lights. 
86

Fourth Story Exterior Window Elements 

Window openings No. 

& Location 

Window Description 

W401, Tower, east 

elevation 

W401 is an original window opening in the lookout Tower. Each 

elevation of the lookout station has two window openings and all of 

the openings are 2 feet wide by 2 feet 6 inches high. W401 has a 

single fixed sash with one light. Flashing has been installed along 

the top rail of the sash. Historic photographs and the plans for the 

Duluth-type station depict the fourth story Tower window 

openings with a single awning sash with two lights separated by a 

horizontal muntin in the middle of the sash. W401 is trimmed with 

a molded surround that has an outer fillet, cyma reversa, inner fillet 

profile similar to other historic window trim. The top of the lintel 

trim is set just below the cornice of the Tower roof. 

W402, Tower, east 

elevation 

W402 is the south window opening on the east elevation of the 

fourth story. It is similar to other windows on this level of the 

Tower and presently has a single sash with one light. Its other 

elements match those of W401. 

W403, Tower, south 

elevation 

W403 is the east window opening on the south elevation of the 

fourth story. Neither W403 nor W404 appear to have been altered 

when the doorway to the balcony was installed in the south 

elevation of the Tower. Like other windows on this level, W403 has 

a single fixed sash with one light and a molded surround. The top 

rail of the sash is flashed and the bottom rail is deteriorated. 

W404, Tower, south 

elevation 

W404 is the west window opening on the south elevation. It is 

similar to W403 and the other lookout station windows on the 

fourth story of the Tower. W404 presently has a single fixed sash 

with one light and a molded surround. The bottom rail of this 

window sash is also deteriorated. 

W405, Tower, west 

elevation 

W405 is the south window opening on the west elevation of the 

fourth story. It has similar elements as the other windows on this 

level including a single fixed sash with one light. The top rail of this 

sash is also flashed in an attempt to better seal the sash and protect 

it against water damage. 

W406, Tower, west 

elevation 

W406 is the north window opening on the west elevation of the 

fourth story. It too has a single fixed sash with one light and the top 

rail of the sash is flashed. The lower sash rail has been damaged by 

water. The window surround of W406 matches the other windows 

on this level. 

W407, Tower, north 

elevation 

W407 is the west window opening on the north elevation of the 

fourth story. Like other windows on this level, W407 has a single 

fixed sash with one light and a molded surround. The flashing on 

the top rail of the sash is loose and the bottom rail is deteriorated. 

W408, Tower, north 

elevation 

W408 is the east window opening on the north elevation of the 

fourth story and is similar to other windows on this level. There 

does not appear to be any flashing along the top rail of the sash but 

other wise W408 has the same elements as the other windows in the 

Tower lookout station. 
87

Porches 

Front (East) Porch 

The front porch is located on the east elevation of the Main Block and is connected to the 

south elevation of the Tower (figs. 40 & 41). The extant porch was restored by the NPS to 

copy the historic porch, which had been altered and enclosed in the 1960s. Some of the 

extant elements are original to the porch and others were replicated by the NPS based on 

physical and documentary evidence of the historic porch. 

The present porch rests on brick piers along the east/front edge and wooden lattice extends 

between the piers. Two wooden steps on the east side of the porch lead from the brick 

walkway to the floor level. An 111⁄2-inch wide skirt board extends along the south and east 

sides of the porch and is attached below the outer edges of the floor boards that slightly 

overhang the skirt board. The floor of the porch is constructed with 31⁄4-inch wide boards 

running east to west. At the junction of the porch floor and the walls of the building a 

baseboard is installed along the east wall of the Main Block and the south wall of the Tower. 

The thresholds for both D101 and D102 are cut into the top edge of the baseboard. 

The porch roof is supported by three chamfered posts on the east side of the porch and halfposts attached to the building at the outside corners (southwest and northeast) of the porch. 

The three posts on the east side were replaced by the NPS and have a 1⁄2-inch chamfer that 

ends in a simple beveled chamfer stop. The half-posts at the southwest and northeast corners 

of the porch are attached to the exterior walls of the building and appear to be original 

elements of the porch. These two posts have 3⁄4-inch chamfers on the outer edges that end in 

a beveled chamfer-stop. All of the posts have a square base and capital with no trim. 

On the east side of the porch the posts support a beam that is boxed with plain boards. The 

east side of the boxed beam forms the fascia below the cornice of the porch roof (see the 

subsequent section “Roofs and Related Elements”). The southeast corner post and 

southwest half-post support a beam at the south end of the porch. The south side of the 

beam is covered with a plain board fascia. Above the fascia a triangular wall encloses the area 

between the fascia and the slope of the roof. The exterior of the wall is covered with wood 

shingles. The inside of that wall is framed with 21⁄2-inch by 33⁄4-inch studs and sheathed with 

tongue-and-groove boards. 

The ceiling of the front porch is open to the rafters that are original to the structure. Tongueand-groove boards are installed between the rafters to replicate the historic ceiling, which 

was open to the tongue-and-groove sheathing of the porch roof. 

Back (West) Porch 

The back porch was an original feature of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station and 

sheltered the west elevation doorway (D103) to the building. It was originally an open porch 

that was enclosed when the building was occupied by the State Park (figs. 35 & 42). Presently 

the porch is enclosed and appears as a lean-to addition to the west elevation of the Main 

Block. In enclosing the porch certain original elements of the porch and some of the early 
88

exterior wall shingles were preserved. The porch enclosure includes three window openings 

and an exterior door. These elements were not included in the previous door and window 

descriptions or in the door and window openings labeling. They will be subsequently 

described. 

The exterior walls of the back porch are covered with wood shingles. The exterior doorway 

on the west side of the porch has a wood door with six horizontal panels. The top three 

panels are glazed and the lower three are raised wooden panels. The door is hung on the 

south jamb with three butt hinges and has a locking-knob handle. The window opening on 

the south side of the porch has a single pane of plexi-glass. The west and north elevation 

windows have aluminum storm windows with upper and lower storm sashes. All three 

window openings are trimmed with plain board surrounds and the lintel trim is flashed. The 

porch roof appears to retain its historic appearance and molded cornice with a cyma recta 

profile found on the rest of the building. The roof of the rear porch is tied into the west slope 

of the main roof, which is also part of the original configuration. 

The interior of the back porch exhibits both original elements and alterations to the porch. 

The floor is constructed with 31⁄4-inch wide tongue-and-groove boards that may be original 

to the structure. The interior of the south, west, and north walls are open to the studs and 

wall sheathing and the east wall retains the earlier wooden shingles of the Main Block. At the 

base of the shingled east wall is a 11⁄2-inch wide by 11⁄2-inch high beveled baseboard. Shelving 

has been installed on the east and south walls of the enclosed porch. Three posts in the west 

wall and two half-posts in the southeast and northeast corners of the porch support the 

beams and roof. All of these are original elements of the open porch and like the front porch, 

the posts are chamfered. The posts support boxed beams on the south, west and north walls. 

The boxed beams have quarter round profiles along the lower edges. The ceiling of the 

porch is open to the rafters and roof sheathing, which is constructed with tongue-and-groove 

boards. 

Roofs and Related Elements 

Main Block 

The roof of the Main Block is a clipped-gable roof that is oriented north-south. The slope of 

the roof extends from the ridge of the second story to the cornice of the first story on the east 

and west elevations (fig. 41). There are dormers on both the east and west slopes of the roof 

(fig. 48). The dormers have shed roofs that are tied into the main roof. The narrow gable 

roof over the second story connector between the Main Block and Tower is tied into the 

main roof at the north end. The east slope of the roof extends over the front porch and the 

west slope ties into the back porch roof. All of the roofs are covered with wood shingles and 

the ridges and hips of the roof are constructed with woven shingles. The valley is flashed 

with lead coated copper. 

A brick chimney stack projects from the center of the gable roof. It is a square chimney that 

measures 3 feet 2 inches on all sides. Step flashing is installed along the north and south sides 

of the chimney and counter flashing is installed on the east and west sides. The chimney also 
89

has bituminous patching material over portions of the flashing. The top of the chimney is 

currently covered with a metal cap. 

Boat Room 

The Boat Room has a wide gable roof that is oriented north-south (fig. 43). The roof is 

covered with wood shingles and the ridge is constructed with woven shingles. A sign for the 

station is situated near the east edge of the roof and currently reads “U.S. Life-Saving 

Station.” 

A narrow shed roof extends over the tops of the east elevation Boat Room doorways. This 

roof was a later addition to the building and is framed with 2 inch by 4 inch boards. The roof 

is constructed with plywood sheathing and currently does not have any shingle cover. 

Tower 

The Tower has a hip roof that is flared at the edges. The hip roof was constructed with a 

rounded finial that projects above the center of the roof. The finial is currently covered with 

a copper boot. Like the rest of the building, the Tower roof is also covered with wood 

shingles and the hips are woven. A single flue brick chimney stack extends above the west 

slope of the roof. 

Finishes 

The exterior trim, window surrounds and sashes, as well as the painted shingles enclosed by 

the rear porch, were sampled for paint research. A more complete analysis of the exterior 

paint finishes is included in Appendix E of this report. 

Presently the exterior wood shingles are unfinished and have a weathered appearance. 

Photographic evidence indicated that this was the original treatment but that the exterior of 

the building was painted in the circa 1930. 

The exterior trim elements are currently finished with white paint that is degraded on some 

surfaces. This includes all cornice trim, window trim, and window sashes, as well as porch 

elements. Historic photographs indicate that these elements were historically painted but 

were probably finished in a different color. It appears as though the trim was painted with a 

light color and the sashes were painted with a darker color. Analysis of the exterior paint 

samples supports the documentary evidence. 
90

Figure 41. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, south and east 

elevations. 

Figure 42. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, west elevation. 
91

Figure 43. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, north and west elevations. 

Figure 44. Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station, north 

and east elevations. 
92

Figure 45. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, cornice below 

cantilevered section of Tower depicting brackets and molding. 

Figure 46. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, east elevation 

Boat Room doorways (D105 and D106). 
93

Figure 47. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, east elevation Tower 

window opening (W201) depicting historic molding. 

Figure 48. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, west elevation 

dormer window openings (W207 and W208). 
94

Interior Elements

Plan 

As previously described, the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station essentially has three 

building components, which consist of the Tower, Main Block, and Boat Room. The same 

configuration that is evident from the exterior is also reflected in the interior plan. In the 

following sections the rooms, doorways and window openings are designated by numbers 

assigned for this project (figs. 22, 23, & 24). The room descriptions will include the current 

use of the room and the historic use. The window descriptions will include interior trim but 

not necessarily sash types since those were discussed in the previous window schedules. 

The interior of the Tower has one square room at each level and contains the staircase of the 

station. The Tower has four stories and the top story contains the lookout station. 

The interior of the Main Block has six rectangular rooms of varying size and function. The 

rooms on the first story are used for visitor services including exhibit rooms and bathrooms. 

The second story of the Main Block has five rooms that are used by staff as offices, 

bathrooms, and storage. 

The interior of the Boat Room has only one story that consists of a large open room. It is a 

rectangular room that is currently used for exhibits, visitor contact desk, and merchandise 

display and sales. 

Basement 

A full basement was constructed beneath the Main Block of the station in 1909. It has had 

few alterations since then and has excellent historic integrity. The Boat Room and the Tower 

are supported by concrete foundation walls with crawl spaces underneath. 

The Main Block basement is one room with a concrete floor and concrete walls. The ceiling 

of the basement is open to the first story framing and subflooring. The brick chimney for the 

station is located near the center of the room and a boiler connected to it is situated east of 

the chimney stack. 

The basement is accessed from the first story via an open staircase descending from the 

staircase closet (Room 104a). The opening in the south wall to the exterior bulkhead is 4 feet 

2 inches wide. The bulkhead has concrete walls below grade and has six open steps. An 

opening in the north wall that is 3 feet 2 inches wide and 3 feet 21⁄2 inches high provides access 

to the Boat Room crawl space. The crawl space opening has a small door constructed with 2-

inch by 4-inch framing, tongue-and-groove boards, and a screened opening. 
95

First Story 

Room 101 

General Description 

Room 101 has had minor alterations to the walls and ceiling and overall retains good historic 

integrity. It is essentially a square room that measures 9 feet 3 1⁄2 inches north-south by 9 feet 

7 inches east-west. It is the Staircase Hallway for the building and contains the only interior 

staircase to the upper stories. The room was probably the formal entrance to the life-saving 

station. The west wall of the room has a doorway that connects the Tower and the Main 

Block. A winding staircase on the north wall leads to the second story and the area beneath 

the staircase was enclosed to make a closet (Room 101a). 

Floor 

The floor is constructed with 21⁄2-inch wide tongue-and-groove boards that are only exposed 

in the closet (Room 101a). The wood floor in the Staircase Hall is covered with gray wall-towall carpet. A metal strip is installed at the threshold of the exterior doorway (D101). 

Walls 

The east, south, and west walls have 43⁄4-inch high baseboards with a 1-inch high cap. The 

baseboard cap has a cyma recta with half-round profile. Single-beaded matchboard 

wainscoting is installed above the baseboard. A 13⁄4-inch wide molding with an elongated 

quarter-round cap is set above the wainscoting. The baseboard stops at the first stair but the 

wainscoting continues at an angle up the staircase to the second story (fig. 49). The 

baseboard, wainscoting, and wainscot cap also continue in the closet (Room 101a) beneath 

the staircase. The woodwork in the Stair Hall is painted gray. 

The wall that encloses closet 101a is constructed with tongue-and-groove vertical boards 

with a complex molding profile. The molding profile consists of a half-round, cove, halfround, bevel, quirked bead, and bevel and is not evident on other interior elements. Paint 

evidence suggested that the wall was installed by the USCG in circa 1935. The woodwork in 

the closet retains an earlier light blue paint color. 

The walls above the woodwork are plastered. In some areas the plaster has been repaired or 

replaced with skim-coated sheet rock. In the areas that have older plaster finishes the plaster 

has a rougher finish than the more recent skim-coated surfaces. The walls are painted white. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling is currently covered with skim-coated sheet rock. This is a more recent ceiling 

that probably covers the original ceiling that had exposed joist and tongue-and-groove floor 

boards of the second story. A light fixture is installed in the center of the ceiling. The ceiling 

is also painted white. 
96

Doorways 

D101 is the doorway from the front porch located on the south wall of Room 101 (fig. 50). 

The doorway architrave is typical of the historic interior doorways elements. The architrave 

is 5 inches wide and is channeled with two grooves running the length of the trim. The upper 

corners of the architrave have corner blocks with incised bull’s-eye designs and the bottoms 

of the side trim have plinth blocks with a beveled top edge. Like the other woodwork in the 

room, the doorway trim is painted gray. 

As previously described, the door is a raised panel door with six panels arranged in pairs in a 

vertical pattern. The top two panels are glazed, over two long rectangular panels, over two 

short rectangular panels. The door is hinged on the east jamb and opens in to Room 101. 

The brass plated hinges and locking-knob are replacement hardware but there is evidence of 

the earlier hardware that appears to have been roughly in the same locations. The interior of 

the door is painted gray. 

D108 is a wide doorway connecting the Tower to the Main Block. The doorway leads to a 

hallway (Room 102), which has doorways to the rest of the Main Block and the Boat Room. 

The doorway opening is 4 feet wide by 8 feet 23⁄4 inches high, which matches the height of 

other interior doorways that have transom sash. The architrave of D108 has the same 

elements and profile as D101 and appears to be original. There is no door in D108. The 

doorway is currently painted gray. 

The doorway to the closet beneath the staircase (Room 101a) is not framed with any trim but 

is simply cut into the wall enclosing the closet. The door is constructed from the same 

molded tongue-and-groove boards as the wall enclosing the closet. The boards are secured 

to battens and the door is hinged on the west side with two strap hinges and has a hasp on the 

east side to secure it. 

Window Openings 

W101 is a double window in the east wall of Room 101 (fig. 49). The casing on the north and 

south sides of the window is 51⁄2-inch wide plain boards, which appears to be replacement 

material. The north side of the window is cut into the wainscoting that slopes up the east wall 

following the staircase. The upper corner blocks and lintel trim retain the typical historic 

window elements. The window sill extends the entire length of the double window and has a 

cyma recta profile at the edge. An apron below the sill is cut off where it meets the sloping 

wainscoting. The window trim and sashes are painted gray. 

Staircase 

The staircase to the second story was previously described and has not been significantly 

altered. It begins at the midpoint of the east wall and winds around to the north wall and 

ends on the west wall at the second-story hallway (Room 201). 

The staircase is entirely constructed with wooden elements and follows the design of the 

Duluth-type station plans (fig. 49 and Appendix A, drawing No. 9). The first-story newel post 

is 51⁄2-inches square and the intermediate newel posts at the winders are 43⁄4-inches square. 

The staircase has 11⁄8-inch diameter plain round balusters below a molded railing that has a 

bulbous top. There are three balusters for each tread except for those treads adjacent to a 
97

newel. The front edges of the treads have a bull-nose and a cyma recta molding is installed 

below the lip of the tread where it meets the riser. In some cases the molding has been 

replaced with quarter-round trim. The staircase currently has black vinyl covers tacked to 

the treads. The staircase is painted gray to match the other woodwork in the Staircase 

Hallway. 

Room 102 

General Description 

Room 102 has had few alterations and therefore retains excellent integrity. It is a small 

rectangular hallway that leads to other rooms in the Main Block and the Boat Room. The 

plans for the Duluth-type station label this room as part of the “Staircase Hallway” but it 

functions as a separate hallway and is part of the Main Block verses the Tower. The room is 

essentially a passage between the Boat Room and the exhibits in the Main Block. There is 

also access to the Women’s Restroom (Room 103) from this hallway. 

Floors 

The floors are currently covered with wall-to-wall carpet. Presumably there are tongue-andgroove floor boards beneath the carpet but they were not accessible during the physical 

investigation. 

Walls 

The lower walls are covered with a baseboard, wainscoting and wainscot cap. The baseboard 

and wainscoting are the same design as those elements in Room 101. The wainscot cap is 

slightly different; it is a 11⁄4-inch wide plain board with a 3⁄4-inch cap. The cap has an 

elongated cyma recta profile that is different from the quarter-round cap in Room 101. The 

woodwork is painted gray in keeping with the Staircase Hall. 

The walls above the wainscoting are plastered with a rough finish. A cornice is installed at 

the top of the wall. The lower edge of the cornice is a quarter-round and cove molding runs 

along the juncture of the wall and ceiling. The cornice was added when the coffered ceiling 

was installed. The plaster walls and cornice are painted white. 

A peg board for hanging coats is attached mid-way up the east wall and a two-peg is attached 

to the south wall between the doorway and the east wall. Both peg boards are painted white 

to match the plaster walls. 

Ceiling 

The extant ceiling is a shallow coffered ceiling with eight square panels. The coffers are 

framed with 3-inch wide plain boards with quarter-round edges. The panels of the coffered 

ceiling are wooden. Paint analysis determined that the ceiling is a replacement and probably 

covers the original ceiling elements extant in other Duluth-type stations including the Old 

Harbor Life-Saving Station. The ceiling is currently painted white. 
98

Doorways 

D107 is located in the north wall of Room 102 and connects the Main Block and the Boat 

Room. The doorway surround is constructed with 5-inch wide channeled trim and has 5-

inch square bull’s-eye corner blocks typical of the historic doorway trim in the building. 

Presently there is no door in this opening but the historic plans show that a door was hinged 

on the west side of the opening and opened into the hallway (Room 102). 

D108 connects Rooms 101 and 102, and was previously described. The doorway surround in 

Room 102 is the same molded elements typical of the historic doorways. 

D109 is on the west wall and currently opens into the Women’s restroom (Room 103). The 

doorway is 8 feet 31⁄2 inches high and includes a transom window. The doorway architrave 

incorporates the transom and is the same style as the other historic doorway elements. The 

horizontal bar between the door opening and the transom is 21⁄2 inches wide and is molded 

with three beads running the width of the doorway. The transom currently has single panel 

of plexi-glass that replaced the original transom sash. Though there are no extant transom 

sash on the first story of the station; they were probably three-light sashes that were hinged at 

the top like the extant transom sash at the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station. 

D109 has a five panel (two-one-two) wood door that is hinged on the south side of the 

opening. The door is hung on two butt hinges and has an automatic closer. The door has a 

rusted knob on a back plate with a keyhole. There is evidence on the door jamb that a door 

was hung on the north side of the doorway at some time. The same doorway in the Old 

Harbor Life-Saving Station is hung on the same side as the current door D109. However the 

Duluth-type station plans do not show a door in this opening so the original configuration is 

not known. 

Located on the south wall of Room 102, D110 leads to the former Mess Room (fig. 51). Like 

D109 the doorway incorporates a transom window and is trimmed with the typical historic 

surround on the hallway side. The transom sash has been removed and the space has been 

filled with gypsum board. Presently there is no door in D110 but the physical evidence 

indicates that the door was hung on the east jamb and opened in to Room 104. 

All of the doorway woodwork in Room 102 is currently painted gray to match other wood 

work in Room 102 and Room 101. 

Utilities 

A radiator is installed on the west wall of Room 102 near the northwest corner. It appears to 

date from the installation of the hot water heating system in 1929. The radiator is covered 

with a wooden box with vertical slats on the front. The cover is painted gray to match the 

other woodwork. There is a heating pipe in the southeast corner of the room. 

A handicapped accessible water fountain is mounted on the wainscoting of the west wall 

north of D109. The fountain was installed by the NPS in 2004 and replaced an earlier 

fountain. Paint lines on the wainscoting indicate where the earlier fountain had been 

mounted on this wall. 
99

Room 103 

General Description 

Room 103 is a small rectangular room that currently serves as the Women’s Restroom for the 

Visitor Center. The room was originally the station Keeper’s Office and had a doorway to the 

Keeper’s Room as well as the extant doorway (D109) from the hallway. When the room was 

renovated as a restroom the doorway to the Keeper’s Room was blocked off and a small 

storage closet was constructed in the southwest corner of the room. Due to these 

renovations the room retains fair integrity. However, some historic elements are preserved 

under modern materials and could be rehabilitated. 

Floors 

The existing floor is ceramic tile, which was installed over plywood that covers and preserves 

the historic wood floor. Holes are cut in to the floor for the plumbing supply lines and waste 

lines. 

Walls 

The lower portions of the walls are tiled and gypsum board is installed on the upper portions 

of the walls. The walls of the closet are sheet rock as well but are not full height walls. A 

coved molding is installed along the cornice of the room. The wall tiles are light gray and the 

sheet rock is painted beige. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling is constructed with gypsum board that has been painted white. There is a double 

florescent fixture and a vent fan in the ceiling. 

Doorways 

D109 on the east wall of the room leads to the hallway. The doorway appears to be the only 

element that retains some historic material. The doorway surround is typical of the historic 

doorways and includes a transom light. The door as previously described, has five raised 

panels and is also similar to the historic door style. 

The doorway to the closet has a molded surround and a hollow-core wooden door. 

Utilities 

The restroom is equipped with two toilets along the west wall that are enclosed by partial 

partitions. One sink is installed on the east wall of the restroom. 
100

Room 104 

General Description 

Room 104 is a large rectangular room that was renovated to house exhibits about the natural 

environs of Sandy Hook. The main part of the room was originally the Mess Room for the 

station and at the south end of the current room was a separate room that was the Storm 

Clothes Room. When the building was renovated as a museum space the partition wall for 

the Storm Clothes Room was torn down and the existing room configuration was established 

(fig. 52). Room 104 has access to the front porch, two rooms on the west side of the Main 

Block (Room 105 and Room 107) and the hallway (Room 102), as well as the basement 

staircase (Room 104a). Due to the renovation of the room, removal of the south partition 

wall, replacement of the wall materials, and replacement of the window sashes the room has 

fair historic integrity. 

Floors 

The floors in Room 104 are covered with wall-to-wall carpet. The floor below that is 

presumably wood-strip flooring that was historically used the building. Holes for the heating 

system are cut in to the floor near the south wall. 

Walls 

The walls in Room 104 were covered with gypsum board during the renovation of the room. 

The baseboard is a 3-inch wide plain board with a quarter-round at the top edge and is 

installed along the perimeter of the room. A coved cornice molding is installed at the top of 

the wall and exhibit display cases are installed on the east, west and north walls of the room. 

The chimney stack is located on the west wall and jogs into the room. The chimney stack is 

concealed behind gypsum board. The walls and woodwork in Room 104 are painted an offwhite color. 

Ceiling 

Room 104 has a gypsum board ceiling that is painted white. A fluorescent fixture is installed 

in the center of the ceiling and a smoke alarm is placed near the doorway to Room 105 

(D112). 

Doorways 

The east elevation exterior doorway (D102) originally opened into the Storm Clothes Room. 

The interior doorway surround is a narrow plain trim that was installed during the 

renovations. The addition of a layer of gypsum board on the east wall made the doorway and 

window openings deeper and necessitated the installation of new trim for those openings. 

This is especially evident in D102 where part of the earlier trim is visible within the doorway. 

The doorway has a six panel door hinged on the south jamb as previously described. 

The surrounds on all interior doors in Room 104 (D110, D111, D112, and D115) are 

constructed with 31⁄2-inch wide plain trim with rounded inside edges. Of those doorways 

D110 and D112 are original openings and would have been constructed with the historic 
101

doorway surrounds extant in other first-story rooms. The doorway surrounds are painted 

the same off-white as the walls. 

D110 is an original opening that lead from the hallway (Room 102) to the Mess Room. It was 

originally constructed with a transom that is extant on the Room 102 side of the doorway but 

covered by gypsum board on the Room 104 side. 

D111 leads to the basement staircase closet (Room 104a). The doorway surround on the east 

side of the doorway wraps around the corner of the partition wall. When the present 

doorway was installed is not known. The basement staircase was installed in 1909 and at that 

time the doorway to Room 104a was in the east wall of the Kitchen (Room 105). The current 

doorway was probably installed when the rooms were renovated in the 1960s. The door is a 

five panel door that paint analysis indicates is a historic door that was apparently reused in 

this doorway. The door is hung on two butt hinges with ball finials and has a black knob with 

a cross design and a back plate with a keyhole. 

D112 is an original opening between the Mess Room (Room 104) and the Kitchen (Room 

105). The doorway was altered during renovations and does not retain the original transom 

or surround. There is currently no door in D112. 

D115 was cut through the west wall of Room 104 north of the chimney stack. The doorway 

connects Room 104 and Room 107, which was formerly the Keeper’s Room. The doorway is 

framed with modern material and there is no door in the opening. 

Window Openings 

W102 and W103 are located on the east wall of Room 104 and open to the front porch. The 

interior window surrounds are constructed with the same plain boards as the doorway 

surrounds in this room. The current window sashes were built to replicate the historic sash. 

W104 and W105 are on the south wall of Room 104 in the area that was formerly the Storm 

Clothes Room. As previously discussed, these two window openings replaced the original 

window. The current window opening has double-hung one-over-one sashes. The interior 

window surrounds are the same plain board surround found on the doorways and on W102 

and W103. The same trim is installed as an apron below the window sills. The front edges of 

the window sills on both of these windows have a cyma reversa profile. 

Utilities 

There are two cast iron radiators along the south wall and one on the east wall of Room 104. 

They are connected to the hot-water heating system and have wooden covers with slats in the 

front. The plans of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station from 1928 (fig. 26) when the 

heating system was installed indicate that there were two radiators along the east wall of the 

Mess Room and one along the north wall of the Storm Clothes Room (both the wall and the 

radiator were removed). The two south wall radiators were not in the 1928 plans and they 

were probably moved during renovations to make room for the display cases. 
102

Room 104a 

General Description 

Room 104a is a rectangular staircase closet that was partitioned from the Storm Clothes 

Room when the basement staircase was constructed in 1909. Though the staircase has been 

altered since then, the partitions were not significantly altered and the room retains good 

integrity. This small room is the only space on the first floor that retains certain historic 

elements that were original to the building. 

Floors and Staircase 

On the south side of Room 104a is a patch of floor that probably dates from the 1909 

alterations. It is a tongue-and-groove floor and is below the level of the other first-story 

floors; indicating that it was the first step down in the original configuration of the basement 

staircase. Indeed there is evidence of the original flooring that was cut off at the south wall. 

The existing patch of floor has a narrow piece of trim along the base of the south wall. 

The current staircase leads from the north side of the room down to the basement level. It is 

a steep staircase with wooden treads and open risers. The staircase is entirely constructed 

with wood and has a railing along the east side. 

Walls 

Each wall in Room 104a has different characteristics. The east wall is the partition wall 

erected when the staircase was first constructed. It is constructed with bead-jointed vertical 

tongue-and-groove boards with a center reed. The boards extend to the ceiling and below 

the floor level. Remnants of earlier electrical wiring are attached to this wall and may 

represent the wiring installed in the 1920s. The wall is currently painted off-white. 

The south wall has a small window opening that was installed when the staircase was 

constructed. Wainscoting extends from below the window trim to the level of the original 

floor boards (the floor boards were cut off when the staircase was first constructed). The 

physical evidence suggests that the wainscoting was original to the Storm Clothes Room and 

it matches other extant historic wainscoting in the station. A joist along the south wall is now 

exposed between the original floor level and the current floor level. The wall above the 

window opening is plastered with a rough finish and painted off-white. At the top of the wall 

the second story floor joist is exposed. Since this is an exterior wall the joist is actually a false 

joist that is attached to the south elevation girt. It was installed as part of the original 

construction to match the other exposed 2-inch by 10-inch joists in the ceiling (see the 

previous section “Original Appearance”). The bottom edge of the joist is trimmed with a 

narrow cyma-reversa molding and the cornice has a larger cyma-reversa molding. 

The west wall of Room 104a was originally the west wall of the Storm Clothes Room. The 

lower portion of the wall is covered with wainscoting that is typical of the historic material. 

The upper portion is plastered with a rough texture and currently painted off-white. A cymareversa molding is installed at the cornice. A patch in the plaster at the south end of the wall 

indicates where the doorway from the Kitchen to the basement staircase was initially located. 

A baseboard is installed below the wainscoting. The baseboard extends below the level of the 
103

first-story floor indicating that it was installed when the staircase was first constructed. 

The lower half of the north wall houses the doorway (D111) from Room 104 to Room 104a. 

The wall above the doorway is plastered to the ceiling where a cyma-reversa molding forms 

the cornice. The plaster all and the cornice molding are roughly cut off at the juncture of the 

north wall and the east partition wall indicating that those elements were part of the original 

Storm Clothes Room. A narrow 2-inch by 4-inch shelf is installed above the doorway and 

may have been added for additional support. Like the rest of the room, this wall is currently 

painted off-white. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling in Room 104a is the only first story ceiling in the main block that retains original 

elements (fig. 53). It is constructed with exposed second-story floor joists that run east-west 

and exposed second-story subflooring that runs north-south. The subflooring is constructed 

with bead-jointed tongue-and-groove random-width boards that were typical of the original 

first story ceilings. As previously described, the north, south and west edges of the ceiling 

where it meets the plaster walls have a molded cornice with a cyma-recta profile. In the 

Duluth-type plans and other extant Duluth-type stations the cyma-recta molding was also 

installed along the edge of the joist where it joined the subflooring. That molding is not 

extant in Room 104a and may not have been installed in the original Storm Clothes Room. A 

narrower cyma-reversa molding is installed along the edges of the joist where they meet the 

west wall. The same moldings were not evident at the juncture of the ceiling and the east wall 

indicating that the moldings were original elements. The exposed ceiling elements in Room 

104a were typical of all first story ceilings in the plans for the Duluth-type Life-Saving Station 

and in other extant Duluth-type stations. The extant materials in Room 104a could be used 

to replicate missing features in the other first-story rooms. 

Doorways 

As previously described, D111 leads from Room 104 to the basement staircase closet. This 

doorway was probably constructed when Rooms 104 and 105 were renovated. In Room 104a 

the doorway is trimmed with channeled-board surround and bull’s-eye corner blocks that 

were typical of the historic trim and were apparently reused in this location. The east edge of 

the door surround is cut off so that it will fit on the narrow wall. 

Window Openings 

W106 in an awning window that was added to the south elevation when the basement 

staircase was first installed. The interior of the window opening is trimmed with the same 

surround that was used on the original window openings for the station. The apron below 

the sill is constructed with a piece of the side trim that has been cut in half. The apron was 

probably installed to cover the gap between the bottom of the window opening and the 

wainscoting and was not typical of the original window openings. 
104

Room 105 

General Description 

The present configuration of Room 105 combines the former Kitchen and Pantry of the 

station into one large room. The Kitchen occupied the largest area and the Pantry was in the 

smaller space on the west side of the current room. The partition wall between the Kitchen 

and the Pantry was removed during renovations to create a larger room for the exhibit space 

(fig. 54). Room 105 has access to the former Mess Room (Room 104) and the Back Entry 

Hallway (Room 106). In its present configuration the room has fair integrity. 

Floors 

The floors in Room 105 are covered with wall-to-wall carpeting. The wood strip floor 

probably survives below the carpet but the condition is not known. There are holes in the 

floor near the south wall for the heating system. Presumably there is a scar on the floor 

where the partition for the Pantry was removed. 

Walls 

The walls in Room 105 were refinished when the room was renovated. The walls were 

covered with gypsum board and a plaster skim coat and the wall south and west walls in the 

former Pantry were covered with an additional layer of gypsum board. The walls have a 3 

inch wide plain baseboard with a quarter-round top edge. There is no cornice trim on the 

outer walls of Room 105. The location of the former partition wall between the Kitchen and 

Pantry is indicated by trim on the south wall and a header that spans the length of the former 

partition. The header is boxed with plain wood trim that has a cove molding at the cornice. 

The north corner where the partition wall ended is trimmed with plain vertical boards. The 

chimney stack is situated in the northeast corner of the room and is covered with gypsum 

board. The walls and woodwork in Room 105 are all currently painted the same off-white 

color. 

Room 105 has exhibit panels and displays along a portion of every wall. The exhibits are free 

standing and are not anchored to the walls. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling in Room 105 is currently covered with gypsum board and painted white. There is 

a fluorescent light fixture in the center of the main area of the room and also in the center of 

the ceiling of the former Pantry. The present ceiling probably covers the original ceiling with 

exposed joists and trim but the condition of the historic ceiling is not known. 

Doorways 

D112 is an original doorway that connected the Kitchen (Room 105) with the Mess Room 

(Room 104). The existing doorway has a plain board surround that is 41⁄2 inches wide. There 

is no door in the opening but the historic plans indicate that the door was hinged on the 

south jamb and opened into Room 105. 
105

D113 leads from Room 105 to the Back Entry Hallway (Room 106) and is also an original 

opening. The doorway is trimmed with 41⁄2 inch wide surround that has a quarter-round on 

the outer edge. The doorstop in D113, which was centered on the door jamb, was removed 

during renovations. The 6-inch wooden threshold is one of the few interior thresholds 

remaining on the first story; others have been removed or carpeted over. There is no door in 

the doorway but the original door was hung on the north jamb and opened into Room 105. 

Window Openings 

W107 is an original opening on the south elevation of the station. The interior of the window 

opening is trimmed with 41⁄2-inch wide plain boards with a rounded outer edge. The same 

trim is installed as an apron below the window sill. The top sash has two vertical lights that 

are separated by a 11⁄4-inch wide muntin with quarter round profiles on both edges. 

The original window opening for the Pantry (W108) is extant but the interior elements have 

been replaced (fig. 54). The interior of the window opening is surrounded on all sides with 

41⁄2-inch wide plain boards. W108 currently has a single-fixed sash held in place with interior 

quarter-round trim. 

Utilities 

There is a radiator on the south wall below W107. The radiator has a wooden cover with slats 

in the front. 

Room 106 

General Description 

Room 106 is the Back Entry Hall and has access to the former Kitchen (Room 105) and the 

former Keeper’s Room (Room 107). It is a small square room, which retains some of its 

original building materials and has good historic integrity. 

Floors 

The floors are currently covered with wall-to-wall carpet but were originally wood strip 

floors. The historic floor boards are probably intact under the carpet. 

Walls 

The north, east and west walls are predominantly filled with the respective doorways. On 

those three walls a narrow section of match-board wainscoting, with a baseboard and a cap, 

is installed on either side of the doorway. The walls above the wainscoting and the doorways 

are rough-textured plaster. The south wall also has wainscoting on the lower portion and 

plaster above that. There are two sets of wooden pegs attached to the south wall plaster. At 

the top of all of the walls is a plain wooden cornice similar to the cornice in Room 102. 
106

Ceiling 

The ceiling in the Back Entry Hall (Room 106) is similar to the one in Room 102. It is a 

shallow coffered ceiling with four square panels. The coffers are framed with 3 inch wide 

plain boards with quarter-round edges. The panels of the coffered ceiling are wooden and all 

elements of the ceiling are presently painted white. 

Doorways 

All three doorways in Room 106 retain historic elements. D103 leads to the enclosed porch 

and was originally an exterior doorway. The interior architrave of the doorway is 

constructed with channeled boards on the sides and top and bull’s-eye corner blocks. As 

previously, described the door in D103 is a six panel door that appears to be historic. The 

door locks on the north side and has a brass door knob with a back plate; above that is a 

dead-bolt lock. Both of these pieces of hardware appear to be replacements but it is not 

known when they were installed. 

On the Room 106 side of D113 the historic architrave that matched the other historic 

doorway elements in the building has been retained. 

D114 was originally the doorway from the Back Entry Hall to the Keeper’s Room (Room 

107). The doorway has a transom that was block off when the building was renovated. The 

architrave on the Room 106 side of the room is constructed with the typical historic doorway 

elements. The wooden threshold is covered with a piece of metal. D114 has five-panel door 

that matches the doors specified for the Duluth-type station appears to be historic. The door 

is hung on the west side and opens in to Room 107. The door currently has a replacement 

brass knob set. 

Room 107 

General Description 

Room 107 is a rectangular room that was originally the Keeper’s Room. The room was 

extensively altered during renovations but retains some original elements and has fair 

integrity. The Keeper’s Room originally had an arched doorway to the Office (Room 103) 

that created a suite for the Keeper of the station. This opening was closed off to 

accommodate the addition of restroom facilities for the building (Room 103). In addition the 

original north wall and closet were removed and a new wall was constructed approximately 

two feet south of the original to allow for the Men’s restroom (Room 108). A doorway 

connecting Room 107 to Room 105 was added in the south wall near the southeast corner of 

the room. The chimney of the Main Block occupies the southeast corner of the room and 

originally there was an opening in the chimney for a heating stove. 
107

Floors 

The floors are currently covered with wall-to-wall carpeting that is probably installed over 

wood-strip flooring. The flooring was altered at the original north end of the room when the 

existing north wall was built for the restroom (Room 108). Holes for the hot water heating 

system were cut into the floor near the west wall. 

Walls 

All of the walls have a smooth plaster finish that appears to date from the renovations. 

Throughout the building and in other Duluth-type stations the historic plaster walls were 

finished with a rough-texture. Since all of the extant wall surfaces in Room 107 are smooth it 

appears that the original materials were either removed or covered over. As previously 

described, the north wall was constructed more recently. All historic trim in Room 107 was 

removed and there is currently a 3 inch wide plain baseboard on the south wall but no trim 

on the other walls except for the doorway and window opening trim. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling in Room 107 was also installed during more recent renovations. It is a gypsum 

board ceiling with a plaster skim coat. There is a ceiling fan in the center of the ceiling. 

Doorways 

As previously described, D114 connects Rooms 106 and 107 and is an original opening. The 

architrave on the Room 107 side of the doorway is constructed with plain boards that were 

installed during renovations. The transom of D114 is covered with wallboard in Room 107 

and is not evident from that side of the doorway. The five panel door is hung on the west 

jamb using butt hinges with ball finials. The knob appears to be a replacement but paint 

evidence suggests the door is original to the building. 

D115 is not an original opening and was apparently constructed when the building was 

renovated. The Room 107 side of the doorway is trimmed with plain boards and there is no 

threshold. Currently there is no door in this doorway. 

Window Openings 

W109 is located in the west wall of Room 107 and is an original window opening. The 

exterior paint evidence indicates that the window retains its original sashes but the paint on 

the interior surfaces of the sashes was apparently removed during renovations. The lower 

sash has handles on the bottom rail and is hung with chains. The interior window opening 

trim is constructed with plain boards that were installed during renovations. The window sill 

has a rounded nose and there is a plain apron installed below the sill. 

Utilities 

The room is heated by a single hot-water radiator installed along the west wall under W109. 
108

Room 108 

General Description 

Room 108 is currently the Men’s Restroom, which was constructed in the location of two 

former closets; one closet served the Keeper’s Room (Room 107) and one was for the Boat 

Room (Room 109). As previously described the wall separating Rooms 108 and 107 was 

removed when the restroom was constructed and a new partition was constructed south of 

the original wall location. The current narrow rectangular room configuration was not part 

of the original structure and has poor historic integrity. 

Floors 

The floors are currently covered with ceramic tile. The extant tile may have been installed 

over the original wood floor but it is more likely that the wood floor was removed down to 

the subflooring when the tiles were installed. 

Walls 

The walls are covered with ceramic tiles up to 6 feet 11 inches above the floor and then 

transition to wallboard, which is painted yellow. There is one toilet stall constructed with 

metal partition walls. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling in Room 108 was replaced during the installation of the restroom and is 

constructed with gypsum board. There are two florescent light fixtures installed in the 

ceiling and a vent fan with a light. 

Doorways 

D116 connects Room 108 with the Boat Room (Room 109). There was a doorway to the 

original Boat Room closet in this section of the wall but that doorway was removed and the 

current doorway was constructed west of the original location when the restroom was 

installed. The doorway trim on the Room 108 side is constructed with plain boards. The 

doorway has a hollow-core wood door with a brass plated knob and is hung on the west 

jamb. A spring is attached to the top of the door to serve as a closing mechanism. 

Window Openings 

On the west wall W110 was probably installed when the restroom was added. The profile on 

the stiles and rails of the single light sashes is an elongated quarter round with a fillet that 

copies the original sash profiles. The interior window opening trim is 31⁄2 inches wide and 

constructed with plain boards. 
109

Room 109 

General Description 

Room 109 is the original Boat Room for the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station and 

retains excellent historic integrity (figs. 55 & 56). It is a large rectangular room framed with 

large timbers and has exposed posts. The center posts divide the room length wise (north to 

south) into two bays. The room has window openings on the north and west walls and two 

large doorways on the east elevation. Access to the Main Block of the life-saving station is 

through a doorway on the south wall of the room (D107). There is a small utility closet in the 

northeast corner of the room and a reception desk in the center of the third bay from the 

east. The room is currently used to interpret the history of Life-Saving Service nationally and 

at Spermaceti Cove. There is also a section for merchandise at the east end of the room. 

Floors 

The floors are currently covered with wall-to-wall carpeting. A portion of the early floor is 

exposed in the northeast utility closet. That floor is constructed with 21⁄2-inch wide tongueand-groove boards that run north to south. The wood floor appears to be laid on a subfloor 

constructed with random width tongue-and-groove boards, which may have been the 

historic Boat Room floor. 

Walls 

The north, west, and east walls are constructed with 31⁄2-inch wide tongue-and-groove 

boards with edge beads and center reeds that were apparently added in ca. 1930. The south 

wall is constructed with clapboards with a 41⁄2 inch exposure that are original to the station. 

On the south wall a portion of the timbers for the three interior framing bents are exposed. 

On the north wall the timbers of the same three interior bents are cased with tongue-andgroove boards. Portions of the wall materials at the west end of the north wall were added 

when the current doorway was installed. Like wise some of the clapboards on the south wall 

were replaced during renovations for the restroom. Also an interior window opening on the 

south wall between the Boat Room and the Office was covered over (fig. 36). The north and 

west walls have a plain quarter-round cornice molding and the east wall has a heavier 

elongated quarter-round cornice molding. The lower portions of all elevations are currently 

painted gray and above the chair rail level the walls are painted white. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling is constructed with tongue-and-groove boards running east to west that are 

currently painted white. The physical building evidence suggests that the ceiling of the Boat 

Room was originally open to the roof framing. Paint evidence suggests that the existing 

ceiling was installed during the Coast Guard’s use of the building in circa 1930. There is a 

row of porcelain utility lights on both the north and south sides of the room. A hatch to the 

loft is cut in to the ceiling over the second bay from the east. 
110

Doorways 

D104 is in the location of an original doorway that was altered to serve as a visitor entrance. 

The original doorway was a wide opening that was used to access the stations apparatus cart. 

The existing doorway was installed by the NPS in the 1970s and is a 3-foot wide doorway that 

houses a wood door with 6 lights over 2 panels. The interior of the doorway is trimmed with 

4-inch wide plain boards and a 51⁄2-inch wide lintel. 

D105 and D106 are original openings for the Boat Room. The exterior of the doorways was 

previously described; the interior of each doorway has a plain board architrave that is 61⁄2 

inches wide. The doorways were originally built with sliding doors that were later replaced 

by hinged double-doors. The existing double-doors were constructed by the NPS and are 

hung on strap hinges and pintles. Each door leaf is constructed with Z-braced tongue-andgroove boards that when closed form an X on the interior (fig. 55). Each door leaf has a top 

and bottom sliding bolt at the center of the doorway and both pairs of doors are secured with 

steel dead bolts and padlocks. Aluminum weather stripping is attached to the jambs of both 

doorways. The doors are currently painted white and the door bracing and trim is painted 

gray. 

D107 is an interior doorway between the Boat Room and Room 102. The doorway trim on 

the Room 109 side of the doorway is constructed with 31⁄2 inch wide plain boards that are 

painted gray. Currently there is no door in this opening but plans of the Duluth-type station 

indicate that the door was hung on the west jamb and opened into Room 102. 

D116 as previously described, leads from the Boat Room to the Men’s Restroom. The Room 

109 side of the doorway is trimmed with 3 1⁄2 inch wide plain boards on the side and 4 1⁄2 inch 

wide lintel trim. The trim for D116 is painted gray to match the other trim in the room. 

Window Openings 

The interior window opening trim for W111 and W112 is constructed with 8-inch wide 

boards and the nose of the window sills have a cyma reversa profile. The window opening 

trim appears to be concurrent with the alteration of the original window openings in those 

locations. 

W113, W114, and W115 are original window openings and retain the original window trim 

(fig. 56). Each window opening is surrounded on four sides with channeled boards that 

match the boards used for historic doorway architraves on the first story. The trim boards 

are mitered at the corners so that the channels wrap around the entire opening. Each of 

these window openings has a single interior storm window sash with one light. All interior 

window trim in the Boat Room (Room 109) is painted gray. 

Utilities 

There are three radiators along the west wall that serve the hot-water heating system. The 

radiators have a decorative floral motif on the ends and the fins. All three radiators are 

currently covered by on large wooden enclosure with front slats that is painted gray. 
111

There is another long radiator along the north wall of the Boat Room and one on the south 

wall east of D107. Both of these radiators have wooden covers with front slats that are 

painted gray. 

A utility closet that measures 1 foot 11⁄2 inches wide by 4 feet 81⁄2 inch long is constructed in 

the northeast corner of the room. The closet houses the electrical service circuit breaker 

box. 

Second Story 

Room 201 

General Description 

Room 201 retains excellent historic integrity. The plan of the room has not been altered 

since the station was constructed and the interior elements have had few changes. It is a 

square room in the Tower of the station. The winding staircase is located on the north half of 

the room and the second-story landing provides access to the Tower connector and the other 

second-story rooms. 

Floor 

The existing floor is constructed with tongue-and-groove boards that run east-west. The 

floor boards appeared to have been replaced in certain sections. The floor is currently 

painted gray but the paint has been worn off in high traffic areas. 

Walls 

The walls are constructed with beaded and reeded wainscoting on the lower portion that 

ascends along the staircase walls too (fig. 57). Paint samples from the south wall wainscoting 

determined that it was original to the station. It is currently painted gray. The wainscoting is 

capped with a rounded molding that paint analysis has determined was a later alteration. 

Above the wainscoting the walls are covered with gypsum board that has a skim coat of 

plaster and is painted white. The gypsum board walls are in poor condition and exhibit 

cracks at the taped seams, water damage around the window openings, and mold growth. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling is currently covered with gypsum board and a plaster skim coat. This ceiling is an 

alteration and covers the original exposed ceiling elements. The ceiling has an open light 

fixture and is currently painted white. 

Doorways 

The doorway from the Tower to the Tower connector is an original opening and retains its 

original trim. It is 2 feet 11 inches wide and currently has a wooden paneled door. The door 

has nine lights in the top portion and one horizontal panel above two vertical panels in the 
112

lower portion. It is hung on the south jamb with two plain butt hinges and has a locking knob 

handle. Paint evidence indicated that the door was recently added. The doorway surround 

and door are currently painted gray. 

Window Openings 

There are three Tower window openings at the second story (W201, W202, and W212). All 

three window openings are small rectangular openings measuring 1-foot 2-inches wide by 2-

feet 1-inch high. All three window openings retain the historic molded surrounds and 

window sills. The aprons below W201 on the east elevation and W202 on the south elevation 

were both altered to plain boards. The north elevation window opening (W212) was built 

into the staircase wall and cut into the wainscoting that follows the rake of the staircase (fig. 

57). 

Staircase 

The staircase from the second to the third story is similar to the first-story staircase. It is a 

winding staircase that begins on the east wall of Room 201 and extends up the north wall; 

turning onto the west wall at the third-story level. The first and second steps extend beyond 

the plane of the staircase into the second-story landing. The riser below the first step is 

curved to accommodate this design. Along the north edge of the second-story landing the 

staircase the balustrade is constructed with square newel posts, a molded railing, and round 

balusters. These elements are similar to the first story staircase and continue up to the thirdstory landing. Most of the staircase elements are currently painted gray; the balusters are 

painted white and the treads and risers are a lighter shade of gray. The paint on the risers is 

degraded and the original natural finish is visible below the paint layers. 

Room 202 

General Description 

Room 202 retains good historic integrity. It forms the hallway in the Tower connector and 

was originally part of the Locker Room. The lockers were removed by the USCG and 

bathrooms were constructed along the north wall of the original Locker Room. Room 202 is 

15 feet 61⁄2 inches long and 4 feet 91⁄2 inches wide at the east end and due to the jog in the wall 

for Room 204 it is 3 feet 113⁄4 inches wide at the west end. The hallway connects to two 

bathrooms along the north wall, a storage room (Room 205) at the west end, and the former 

Crew’s Quarters at the end of the south wall. 

Floor 

The existing floor in Room 202 is constructed with tongue-and-groove boards that run eastwest. The flooring appears similar to the specified original materials but there was no 

evidence of the former lockers, which would have probably left some marks on the floor 

boards. The floor is currently painted gray but the paint has been worn off in high traffic 

areas. 
113

Walls 

The historic wall materials on the south and east walls were replaced with gypsum board and 

the north wall is a later partition. All of those walls have plain board baseboards with a 

quarter-round base molding along the floor. The west wall has an original doorway to the 

storage room and original wall plaster around that doorway. A short section of the west wall 

between the doorway and the south wall retains a piece of original baseboard. The 

baseboard is reeded and has a beveled top edge and matches the other original baseboard in 

Room 205. A quarter round base molding was installed along this baseboard and is not 

original. The walls in Room 202 are currently painted gray on the lower portion and white on 

the upper portion. 

Ceiling 

The original exposed ceiling elements in Room 202 have been covered over. The ceiling is 

currently covered with gypsum board that is painted white. A modern light fixture is 

installed near the center of the hallway. 

Doorways 

Room 202 has five doorways connecting to the other second-story rooms. All of these 

doorways and doors are currently painted gray. Three of the doorways are original openings 

and two are later alterations. The doorway to Room 201 (D201) retains its original surround 

and as previously described the door was more recently installed. 

Along the north wall partition of Room 202 two doors provide access to the second story 

bathrooms. D202 opens into Room 203 and was constructed with a 41⁄4-inch wide plain 

board casing and has a door with five vertical panels. The door is hinged on the east jamb 

with two butt hinges and it has a brass locking-knob handle. D203 was also a later alteration 

leading to a second bathroom (Room 204). The doorway has a 31⁄2 inch wide plain board 

casing with a rounded inside edge. D203 has a six panel door that is hung with butt hinges 

and has a brass locking-knob handle. 

At the west end of the hallway D204 is an original opening to Room 205. The doorway retains 

the historic surround used throughout the life-saving station. The doorway has a six panel 

door with butt hinges and a brass locking-knob handle. The six panel door does not match 

the historic doors and was probably replaced at some time. In addition, there is an open 

mortise for an earlier knob set, which indicated that the door was altered. 

The doorway to the Crew’s Quarters (D205) is located at the west end of the south wall in 

Room 202. The doorway retains all of its historic elements including the transom window. 

The transom in this doorway is shorter than the first story transoms and has a two-light sash. 

Physical evidence indicated that this is the historic sash. The doorway architrave was 

constructed with the typical molded boards. The doorway has a five panel door that is 

hinged with two butt hinges and has a replacement brass locking-knob handle. 
114

Window Openings 

The Tower connector has one window opening on the south elevation (W203). The interior 

trim of W203 in Room 202 retains the historic molded surround and sill. The apron below 

the sill was replaced with a plain board. The original six-light casement window sash was 

replaced with a single fixed plexi-glass light and an exterior wooden storm. 

Utilities 

A nine-foot long section of fin-tube hot-water radiator is installed at the base of the south 

wall. Light fixtures and switches were installed in Room 202 presumably when it was 

renovated by the State Park. 

Room 203 

General Description 

Located in the north half of the former Locker Room, Room 203 is a rectangular room 

measuring 4 feet 11⁄2 inches wide by 9 feet 61⁄4 inches long. The room was partitioned off to 

create a second story bathroom and appears to date from the U.S. Coast Guard period. As 

part of the former Locker Room the room retains good historic integrity in that it retains an 

original window opening, window sash, and historic plaster. 

Floor 

The floor is currently covered with vinyl tile over a plywood underlayment. The earlier 

tongue-and-groove floor boards may be extant under the plywood. The existing vinyl tiles 

are in poor condition; they are worn and cracked and many are missing. 

Walls 

The south and west walls are partition walls that were added when the room was created. 

They are constructed with gypsum board and painted white above gray. The north and east 

walls retain the original plaster materials, which has a rough textured finish. The plaster is 

currently painted white above gray but there is evidence of the earliest paint colors for the 

former Locker Room indicating the plaster is original. A quarter-round cornice molding is 

installed at the top of all four walls. 

Ceiling 

The original exposed ceiling was covered over and the current ceiling is constructed with 

gypsum board and painted white. A utility fixture is installed near the center of the ceiling. 

Doorways 

As previously described, Room 203 is accessed via D202, which has a five panel door. The 

surround on the Room 203 side of the doorway is constructed with plain boards like the 

hallway side. 
115

Window Openings 

There is one window opening in Room 203 (W211), which was original to the station. The 

window opening has a six-light awning sash that appears to be original and an interior 

wooden storm sash with a single pane of glass. The window opening surround is constructed 

with plain boards, which appear to be later alterations. The window opening retains the 

historic molded sill and a molded apron that also appears to be historic. The window 

opening elements are currently painted gray. 

Utilities 

Room 203 is equipped with one toilet, two sinks mounted along the north wall and a shower 

stall installed at the east end of the room. A heater fan unit is mounted in the north wall of 

the room and the room has a utility light fixture in the ceiling. 

Room 204 

General Description 

Room 204 was constructed to serve as a second bathroom for the second story of the station. 

It is located in the northwest corner of the former Locker Room and retains fair integrity. It 

is a rectangular room that is 4 feet 111⁄2 inches wide by 5 feet 9 inches long. Since it is wider 

than Room 203, the south wall of Room 204 extends further into the hallway (Room 202). 

Paint evidence suggested that this bathroom was added to the station after Room 203. It was 

probably added when the second story was altered for the Brookdale Community College 

facilities. 

Floor 

Like Room 203 the floor is currently covered with vinyl tile over plywood. It is not known 

whether the earlier floor boards are extant under the present flooring. 

Walls 

The south and the east walls are gypsum board partitions and the north and west walls are 

part of the original structure. A vinyl skirt is installed along the base of all four walls and the 

walls are currently painted white and gray. A quarter-round cornice molding is installed on 

all four walls. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling is constructed with gypsum board and is currently painted white. A modern 

fixture is installed near the center of the ceiling. 

Doorways 

The doorway to Room 204 (D203) was previously described. The doorway trim in Room 204 

is constructed with plain boards similar to the hallway side of the doorway. 
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Window Openings 

Room 204 has one window opening on the north elevation (W210). This is not an original 

window opening and was probably added when the space was altered. The interior trim of 

W210 is constructed with plain boards, a molded sill, and a plain apron board. The opening 

is currently covered with plywood and the configuration of the window sash is not known. 

Utilities 

The bathroom has a toilet on the north wall and a shower stall in the northwest corner. 

There is a heater fan mounted on the north wall and a modern ceiling light. 

Room 205 

General Description 

Room 205 retains excellent historic integrity. It has not been extensively altered and retains 

original materials that are in good condition. The room is situated in the northwest corner of 

the second story under the slope of the west roof. It is a rectangular room that measures 9 

feet 3 inches wide by 12 feet 2 inches long. It was originally designated the Spare Room and is 

currently used as a storage room for merchandise and supplies. 

Floor 

The floor in Room 205 is constructed with tongue-and-groove boards that run east-west. 

The extant floor boards are similar to those specified for the station and may be original 

material. 

Walls 

The north, east and south walls of Room 205 retain the original plaster with a rough texture. 

The west elevation has a knee wall constructed with beaded and reeded wainscoting that 

extends up to the slope of the roof. The west wall has an access doorway to the eaves of the 

west roof slope (the doorway is currently blocked by heating pipes). A baseboard that was 

part of the original structure is installed along the three plaster walls. The baseboard is 

molded with three reeds and a beveled top edge and has a more recently installed quarterround base molding. The baseboard in Room 205 is one of only two examples of the original 

baseboard used at Spermaceti Cove (see the previous section “Room 202”). Open shelving is 

installed on the north, east and south walls and is used to store merchandise and supplies. 

The walls including the wainscoting are currently painted with a light blue-green paint color 

up to the chair rail level and an off-white paint color above that. Paint samples from the wall 

materials determined that the plaster walls were not painted until the U.S. Coast Guard 

period and the wainscoting and baseboard were originally painted olive green to match the 

other woodwork in the station (Appendix E, Paint Analysis). 
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Ceiling 

The current ceiling is open to the framing and roof sheathing boards, which was the original 

configuration. The ceiling elements also retain some of the original trim including a cyma 

reversa raked molding and cornice molding and narrower cyma reversa molding where the 

rafter ends join the plaster walls. The ceiling elements are presently painted white and were 

originally paint olive green to match the other woodwork. 

Doorways 

The doorway from the hallway to Room 205 (D204) retains the historic molded architrave 

with channeled boards and bulls-eye corner blocks (fig. 58). The doorway trim was originally 

painted olive green and has only four applications of paint. Since it had so few finishes, the 

doorway trim in Room 205 provided the most accurate example of the historic trim. As 

previously discussed, the door to Room 205 appears to be a later alteration. 

Window Openings 

There is one window opening in the north wall of Room 205 (W209). The window opening 

for this room was original to the station and retains its original molded surround, sill and 

apron (fig. 59). Like the doorway elements, the window opening elements were only painted 

a total of four times and are therefore a good example of the window elements used for the 

window openings awning sashes and casement sashes on the second story (W201, W202, 

W203, W209, W211 and W212). 

Utilities 

Fin tube hot water radiators are installed along the base of the west and north walls. A utility 

light fixture hangs from the ceiling near the center of the room. 

Room 206 

General Description 

The former Crew’s Quarters occupies most of the second-story of the Main Block. Room 206 

has excellent historic integrity; it has had few alterations and retains original building 

elements. The room is essentially square measuring 26 feet 1 inch wide (east-west) and 23 

feet 7 1⁄2 inches long (north-south). The room was constructed under the slopes of the 

clipped-gable roof and is open to the roof framing and sheathing. The room has 

asymmetrically placed dormers on the east and west elevations. The chimney that rises up 

through the center of the Main Block is located near the north end of the room. 

Floor 

The floor in Room 206 is constructed with tongue-and-groove boards that run north-south. 

This floor is installed over the tongue-and-groove subfloor that runs east-west. The subfloor 

was originally exposed at the first story ceiling and can still be observed in Room 104a. The 

floor boards in Room 206 are finished with gray paint that has worn off in high traffic areas. 
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The extant floor boards are similar to those specified for the station and may be original 

material. As with the rest of the station, the floor boards were originally unfinished and 

oiled. 

Walls 

The east and west walls of Room 206 are knee walls extending from the floor to the slope of 

the roof. They are constructed with the historic wainscoting that continues under the 

dormer window openings where it is capped by the window sills. Access doorways to the 

eaves are cut into the wainscoting on both the east and west walls but are currently blocked 

by heating pipes. The south wall is an exterior gable-end wall has wainscoting on the lower 

portion and rough textured plaster on the upper portions. The wainscoting has cyma reversa 

molded cap and a similar molding is installed along the rake of the roof line. All of the 

materials on the south wall were original to the building and the wainscoting cap is the only 

extant example in the station. 

The north wall of Room 206 is a partition wall constructed with wainscoting on the lower 

portion and plaster on the upper portion. The north wall retains similar historic elements to 

the south wall but the wainscot cap was replaced. 

All of the walls in Room 206 have a more recently installed quarter-round base trim. The 

wainscoting is currently painted gray and the plaster walls are painted white. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling in Room 206 is open to the rafters and the sheathing of the gable roof. These are 

original elements and were open in the original design and construction. At the south end of 

the room the framing of the clipped gable is also visible (fig. 60). A cyma reversa molding is 

installed at the juncture of the clipped gable and the south wall and narrower trim is installed 

around the rafters where they meet the south wall. The rafters are doubled on both sides of 

the east dormer and the corresponding rafters on the west roof slope are also double. The 

same construction methods are used for the rafters on both sides of the west dormer and the 

corresponding east roof rafters (Appendix C, “Second Floor Plan Sketch 1”). Collar ties are 

installed at the double rafters. 

Doorways 

The doorway from the hallway to Room 206 (D205) was previously described (fig. 61). In 

Room 206 the trim for D205 retains the historic molded surround and corner blocks, as well 

as the beaded rail below the transom window opening. The transom sash is hinged at the top 

of the doorway with two butt hinges with ball finials and opens into Room 206. The doorway 

has an original door with replacement hardware. 

The exterior doorway in Room 206 (D206) was added as a second egress for the second story 

of the station. It is constructed with a plain board surround on the interior and has a six 

panel wooden door. The door is hinged on the east side of the doorway with butt hinges and 

has a lock-knob handle. A wooden screen door is installed on the inside of D206. It is hinged 

on the east side of the doorway and opens into the room. 
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Window Openings 

The east and west elevation dormer windows are constructed in a similar manner. The 

dormers consist of two window openings separated by a center mullion. The interior 

surround includes plain board side trim, a plain board mullion, and a cyma molded sill that 

extends below both window openings. The lintel trim has a molded cornice where it meets 

the dormer roof. The side walls and the ceiling of the dormers are constructed with tongueand-groove boards. In the east dormer W204 and W205 both have double-hung, one-overone sashes that are in poor condition and exterior aluminum storm windows that are missing 

parts. The west dormer window openings (W207 and W208) have double-hung, four-overfour sashes that paint samples indicate are original to the station (fig. 62). The window 

openings also have aluminum storms that are missing sashes. 

The south elevation of Room 206 was originally constructed with two window openings. One 

was removed when D206 was installed and the other (W206) was left intact. The interior trim 

of W206 retains the historic molded surround and sill. The window opening extends below 

the top of the wainscoting and thus the trim is cut into the wainscoting. The two-over-two, 

double hung sashes in W206 appear to be later alterations and the window opening is fitted 

with an exterior storm that is missing its sashes. 

All of the window opening elements in Room 206 are painted gray except for the side walls 

and ceilings of the dormers, which are painted white. 

Chimney 

The chimney stack of the Main Block is situated toward the north end of Room 206. It is 3 

feet 21⁄2 inches square and the lower portion is covered with beaded and reeded wainscoting. 

The wainscoting has a 2-inch wide cap on all side of the chimney and a plain base board with 

a quarter-round base trim. The upper portion of the chimney is parged and most likely 

retains the original mortar specified when the station was constructed. 

Utilities 

Fin tube radiators are installed along sections of all of the walls. Fluorescent light fixtures are 

hung from the roof framing and electrical conduit is run along the roof framing and on the 

interior walls. 
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Third Story 

Room 301 

General Description 

The third floor of the Tower staircase has had few alterations and retains good integrity. It is 

a square room with access to the Tower watch room. The staircase from the second story is 

located on the north side of the room and a ladder and hatchway in the center of the room 

lead to the fourth story. 

Floor 

The floor is constructed with tongue-and-groove boards oriented east-west and is currently 

painted gray. There are two different widths of floor boards; on the north side of the room 

the floor boards are 21⁄2 inches wide and on the south side they are 3 inches wide. Since the 

specifications called for floor boards no greater than 3 inches wide, it is not known whether 

either are original boards. However, the narrower boards are similar to the extant floors in 

the second-story staircase hallway (Room 201). 

Walls 

The walls in Room 301 are finished in a similar manner as the lower stories of the Tower 

staircase. The lower portion is covered with wainscoting and in this case the upper portion 

retains some original rough texture plaster. Two structural members were added along the 

perimeter all four walls at the third story level. These beams were added when the 

catwalk/balcony was installed. The first one is 3 feet 51⁄2 inches above the floor level and the 

second on is 5 feet 111⁄2 inches above the floor level. During the installation of both beams 

historic building materials were removed (fig. 63). The existing plaster in Room 301 is 

cracked and generally in poor condition. The wainscoting is in good condition. All wall 

materials in Room 301 are currently painted white. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling in Room 301 is currently covered with plywood. This covers the original ceiling 

materials that consisted of the exposed floor joists and subfloor of the fourth story. 

Centered in the third story ceiling is a hatchway to the fourth-story Watch Room. The 

hatchway is 2 feet wide by 3 feet 4 inch long and is framed in to the fourth-story floor joists. 

The hatchway is trimmed with plain boards at the third-story ceiling. A plywood trap door is 

hinged on the west side of the opening and opens up into the fourth-story room. 

Doorways 

The doorway on the west wall of Room 301 (D301) is 3 feet wide by 4 feet 8 inches high and 

provides access to the storage room (Room 302) under the Tower connector roof. The 

doorway is constructed with the historic surround typical of the station, which paint analysis 

indicated is the original doorway trim. Presently the doorway has a door with two vertical 
121

panels that is hung on the south jamb with two butt hinges and has a metal door knob with a 

keyed back plate. The plans for the Duluth-type station noted that there should be no door 

in this doorway. Paint analysis confirmed that the existing door was not original and was 

probably installed during the U.S. Coast Guard period. 

Window Openings 

There are four window openings in Room 301; one on the east elevation (W301); one on the 

south elevation (W302); and two on the north elevation (W303 & W304). All four window 

openings have single light fixed sashes. However it is evident that the current sashes have 

had the muntins removed during rehabilitation and were originally six-light sashes that were 

similar to the original six-light casement sashes. All of the window openings are trimmed 

with the same molded surround used on the second-story window openings (W201, etc.) but 

during the installation of the beams for the catwalk the bottoms of the sills were cut off and 

the lintel trim was removed (fig. 63). The window openings and sashes on the third story are 

currently in poor condition. 

Staircase 

As previously described, the staircase from the second story to Room 301 retains original 

materials. At the third story level a railing with balusters extends from the top newel post to 

the east wall. 

The ladder from the third story to the fourth story watch room is constructed with 11⁄2-inch 

by 8-inch stringers and 1-inch by 6-inch treads. Documentation indicated that the treads 

were replaced but paint analysis determined that the stringers are original to the station. The 

treads are currently covered with vinyl protectors and 2-inch by 3-inch railing is installed on 

the north side of the ladder. 

Room 302 

General Description 

Room 302 is a rectangular room under the gable roof of the Tower connector. The room 

retains excellent historic integrity with the only significant alterations to the room being the 

addition of plumbing pipes and electrical wiring. It was originally labeled as the “Stowawy” 

(Stowaway) on the plans and is currently used for storage. 

Floor 

The floors in this room are constructed with 3-inch wide tongue-and-groove boards running 

north-south. Since this room has always been a storage room, these are probably the original 

floor boards. 

Walls 

The walls are covered with lath and rough textured plaster that are original to the station. 

The east and west walls are plastered up to the roof gables. The north and south elevation 

walls are low walls closing off the eaves of the roof and are plastered from the floor to the 
122

roof slope and in between the rafters. A plain baseboard is installed on all walls. The walls 

are currently painted orange-tan and the baseboard is off-white. 

Ceiling 

The ceiling is open to the roof framing and sheathing and retains its historic fabric and 

appearance. These elements are currently painted off-white. 

Doorways 

The doorway between Room 302 and Room 301 was previously described. It is trimmed with 

a plain board surround on the Room 302 side of the opening. 

Fourth Story 

Room 401 

General Description 

The Tower Watch Room (Room 401) has excellent historic integrity; it retains original 

woodwork elements and alterations to some of the window elements and the ceiling do not 

significantly diminish the historic appearance of the Watch Room. It is a square room at the 

top of the Tower with a cantilevered section of windows on all four elevations. The room is 

accessed from the third story via a hatchway and trap door in the center of the floor. 

Floor 

The floor in Room 401 is constructed with 31⁄4 inch wide tongue-and-groove boards that run 

east-west. The floor boards are currently painted gray, which has worn off in high traffic 

areas. 

The hatchway in the center of the floor is covered by a framed trap door with a plywood top. 

The hatchway has a railing on the north, west and south sides that is constructed with 4-inch 

by 4-inch posts and 2-inch by 3-inch top rails, bottom rails and crossed (X) center rails. The 

hatchway elements and the trap door are currently painted white. 

Walls 

All of the walls in the watch room are constructed with wooden elements (fig. 64). The lower 

portions of the walls, below the cantilevered window sections, are covered with plywood and 

have a plain baseboard with a quarter-round base molding. The walls within the cantilevered 

window band, above the window seats, are constructed with tongue-and-groove beaded and 

reeded boards, which are similar to the wainscoting throughout the station. Most of these 

boards are original except a section on the south elevation where the doorway to the former 

balcony was in-filled when the balcony was removed. The framing at the four corners of the 

room is covered with plain boards with quarter-round molding at the edges. These boards 
123

are also original to the room. On the east elevation a wide shelf is installed just below the 

window opening level and a narrower shelf is installed between W401 and W402. 

Above the window seat sections on all elevations the headers of the cantilevered spaces are 

covered with plain boards with a quarter-round molded inside edge. Cornice molding is 

installed below the ceiling level and a more recent cornice molding is installed at the current 

ceiling level. All of the wall elements are currently painted white. 

Ceiling 

The present ceiling is a shallow coffered ceiling with wooden frame work and panels. Each 

panel or coffer is 2 feet 61⁄2 inches wide by 2 feet 91⁄2 inch long. Similar coffered ceilings are 

extant in Room 102 and Room 106 and were probably installed by the U.S. Coast Guard. The 

ceiling elements are currently painted white. 

Window Openings 

As previously described, the window openings in the watch room are within a cantilevered 

section of the wall. There are two window openings on each elevation that were described in 

the window schedule. On the interior the sides and tops of the window openings have 

quarter-round moldings that are installed between the window jambs and the wall boards 

and are flush with the walls (fig. 64). The window openings have molded sills that are similar 

to the historic elements through out the station. 

Chimney 

A brick chimney is situated on the wet side of the watch Tower room. It is a 1-foot 4 1⁄2 inch 

square chimney with a thimble for a heating stove. The chimney was installed in 1926 and is 

currently finished with a light blue paint that is degraded. 
124

Figure 49. Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station, Room 

101 looking east, W101. 

Figure 50. Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station, Room 

101, D101. 
125

Figure 51. Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station, Room 

102 looking south, D110. 

Figure 52. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

Room 104 looking south. 
126

Figure 53. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 104a ceiling. 

Figure 54. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 105 looking south 

into former Pantry and W108. 
127

Figure 55. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Boat Room/Room 109 

looking southeast. 

Figure 56. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Boat Room/Room 109 

looking northeast. 
128

Figure 57. Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station, Room 201 

W212 depicting window 

opening elements typical of 

Tower windows. 

Figure 58. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 205 D204 depicting 

doorway trim typical of interior doorway elements. 
129

Figure 59. Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station, Room 205 

W209 depicting window 

opening molded surround. 

Figure 60. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Room 206 interior view of 

clipped-gable roof framing looking south. 
130

Figure 61. Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station, Room 206 

D205. 

Figure 62. Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station, Room 

206 interior view of west 

dormer (W207 & W208). 
131

Figure 63. Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station, Room 301 

W304 depicting window 

opening elements and 

alterations typical of third-story 

windows. 

Figure 64. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Watch Room/Room 401 looking 

southwest depicting cantilevered window section and typical woodwork for the 

fourth story.

133

CHARACTER-DEFINING 

FEATURES AND 

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS 

135

CHARACTER-DEFINING FEATURES 

Introduction

A historic structure may be significant for its architectural features and/or its association with 

historic events and persons. The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is recognized by 

the National Register under both of those criteria (see the previous section “Introduction”). 

The character-defining features (CDFs) of a structure are those visual features and elements 

that define the structure and contribute to its historic integrity. To retain the historic 

integrity of the structure it is important to retain and preserve those CDFs. 

The proposed treatment the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is rehabilitation and 

interpretation.67 The rehabilitation of a structure includes the retention of CDFs. The 

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation address this in the definition of 

“rehabilitation”, which is “the process of returning a property to a state of utility, through 

repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving 

those portions and features of the property that are significant to its historic, architectural, 

and cultural values.”68 The Secretary of the Interior further addresses rehabilitation in the 

following standards: 

1. A property will be used as it was historically, or be given a new use that 

requires minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces, and 

spatial relationships. 

2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The 

removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial 

relationships that characterize a property will be avoided. 

3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and 

use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as 

adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not 

be undertaken. 

4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own 

right will be retained and preserved. 

5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or 

examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved. 

 67 General Management Plan Amendment. (Department of the Interior, NPS, Jan. 1990). 68 Kay D. Weeks and Anne E. Grimmer, The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment 

of Historic Properties, with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing 

Historic Buildings. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1995) p. 

61. 
136

6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the 

severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new 

feature will match the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, 

materials. Replacement of missing features will be substantiated by 

documentary and physical evidence. 

7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the 

gentlest means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials 

will not be used. 

8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such 

resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken. 

9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not 

destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize 

the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and will be 

compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and 

massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment. 

10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in 

such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of 

the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.69

The following sections will identify the character-defining features and make general 

recommendations for the rehabilitation of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. 

Exterior Elements

Design and Context 

• The importance of the Spermaceti Cove site as the location of the earliest federally 

sponsored efforts to save the lives and property of coastal shipwrecks as recognized by 

the Fort Hancock National Historic Landmark designation. 

• The importance of the location of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving station in relation 

to other life-saving stations established along the New Jersey coastline, as well as with 

regard to the development of the U.S. Life-Saving Service on both the national level 

and the local level. 

• The design of the Duluth-type life-saving station by George R. Tolman and the 

execution of that design at Spermaceti Cove, which is recognized under criteria C of 

the National Register of Historic Places. The construction of other Duluth-type 

stations sometimes varied from Tolman’s plans but the Spermaceti Cove station 

closely follows those plans. 

 69 NPS website URL – http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/stanguide/rehab/rehab_standards.htm 
137

• The overall massing of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station including the 

one-and-a-half story Main Block, the one-story Boat Room, and the four-story Tower 

with a cantilevered window opening section in the watch room. 

Porches 

• The east elevation Front Porch, which was an integral part of the original structure 

and is prominent in many historic photographs. In addition the porch roof extends 

the roof line of the Main Block and is part of the overall massing of the station. The 

porch was enclosed in the 1960s but was recently restored by the Park. 

• The west elevation Back Porch, which was constructed as an open porch but is 

presently enclosed. The Back Porch was part of the original structure and 

compliments the larger Front Porch. Like the Front Porch, the roof of the Back Porch 

extends the roof line of the Main Block and is integral to the overall design and 

massing of the structure. 

Doorways 

• The overall design and proportions of the exterior doorways and doorway elements, 

which were constructed in accordance with the Duluth-type life-saving station plans. 

• The locations of the exterior doorways in relation to the functions of the station. As 

previously described, D101 was the formal entry into the Tower and Main Block of 

the station; D102 opened into the Storm-Clothes Room and would have been used by 

the station crew; D103 was the Back Entry and had access to the Kitchen and Keeper’s 

Room; D104 is the location of the former doorway for the beach cart section of the 

Boat Room; and D105 and D106 were used to access the surf boats and life-saving 

apparatus stored in the Boat Room. 

• The basement bulkhead entrance was constructed in conjunction with the addition of 

the full basement in 1909. The extant wooden bulkhead with batten doors appears to 

be in keeping with the original elements. The bulkhead entrance is characteristic of 

the building from 1909 to the present. 

Window Openings 

• The overall design, proportions, and locations of the exterior window openings. This 

includes the mix of window opening sizes and styles that are extant at the Spermaceti 

Cove Life-Saving Station. 

• The exterior window opening surrounds that reflect the architectural style of the 

station. 
138

• The diverse types of window sashes used in the different window opening sizes and 

styles. 

Roof and Related Elements 

• The overall massing and design of the station roofs that reflect that Duluth-type 

station design and the architectural style. Including the north-south oriented clippedgable roof of the Main Block; the east-west orientation of the Tower connector roof 

and how it is joined to the clipped-gable roof; the north-south oriented shallow-gable 

roof of the Boat Room; and the hip roof of the Tower with center final and flared 

eaves. 

• The brick chimney in the center of the Main Block was original to the station and 

originally had stoves connected to it that were the only means of heat for the station 

until the heating system was installed. 

• The small chimney on the west side of the Tower Watch Room, which was installed in 

1926 to provide the only heat source for the Watch Room. 

Materials 

• The wooden shingles on the exterior walls and roofs. These elements were part of the 

original design and should be retained. The exterior wall shingles were originally 

unfinished but were painted beginning circa 1930. The recent replacement of the 

exterior wall singles specified that they are not to be painted in keeping with the 

original appearance. The wall shingles should continue to be unfinished. 

• The exterior trim including extant examples of original doorway and window opening 

surrounds, cornice elements, raked moldings, and brackets below the cantilevered 

section of the Tower. 

Interior Elements

Plan 

• Layout of interior rooms conveys the function of the spaces for utilitarian and living 

uses as well as the purpose of the different sections of the station (Main Block, Boat 

Room, and Tower). 

• The open plan of the Boat Room. 

• The Tower staircase hallway and fourth-story watch room. 
139

• The open plan concrete basement constructed in 1909 and the associated staircase 

from the first story and the exterior bulkhead entrance. 

Floors 

• Wood floors constructed with tongue-and-groove boards throughout the life-saving 

station. 

• Random width tongue-and-groove board subfloor on the second story of the Main 

Block and all upper stories of the Tower as ceiling material (see the subsequent 

section “Ceilings”). 

Walls 

• The rough textured plaster walls that were part of the original station and were 

constructed as originally specified. 

• Woodwork on interior walls including wainscot, original baseboard, cornice molding, 

raked molding, and other trim. 

• The clapboard wall in the south elevation of the Boat Room that was original to the 

station. 

• The woodwork used in the construction of the Tower watch room including the 

wainscot, the cased corner framing, the window seat, the soffit, and the cornice 

molding. 

Ceilings 

• The high open ceilings on the first story and second story of the Main Block and the 

open ceilings on all four stories of the Tower. The ceilings were originally open to the 

exposed floor framing and subfloor boards of the upper levels. In some upper story 

rooms the ceilings were likewise open to the roof framing and sheathing. 

• Elements associated with the open ceiling including framing, boards, and trim at the 

edges of the framing elements and at the cornice. 
140

Doorways 

• The location of the interior doorways reflects the original plan of the station and 

connected the interior spaces of the three sections of the station. 

• The interior doorway configurations especially doorways with transom window 

openings that were specified in the Duluth-type station plans. 

• The doorway architraves that were constructed with molded boards and bull’s-eye 

corner blocks were constructed according to the Duluth-type plans and are an 

example of original building material. 

• The interior five-panel doors are an example of the original elements specified for the 

Duluth-type life-saving station. 

Window Openings 

• The location and configuration of the window openings in the station rooms. 

• The different sizes and types of window openings and window sashes in relation to 

the function of the interior spaces. 

• The interior trim of the window openings including molded boards, corner blocks, 

molded sills and molded sill aprons that were included in the drawings of the Duluthtype station. 

Staircases and Related Elements 

• The winding Tower staircase and associated elements, including newel posts, railings, 

balusters, stringers, and molded finials all of which were constructed according to the 

Duluth-type plans and specifications. 

• The ladder and trap doorway from the third story of the Tower to the fourth-story 

watch room. 

Utilities 

• The radiators installed throughout the first story with decorative floral motif on the 

ends and the fins. Most appear to date from the installation of the hot water heating 

system in 1929 and are in the original locations; some were removed or relocated. 

• Evidence of historic wiring and early electrical service to the building. 
141

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS 

Introduction 

The following general recommendations are meant to guide the preservation and 

rehabilitation of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. The 1990 GMP Amendment for 

Gateway NRA discussed relocating the Sandy Hook Visitor Center from the Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station to Fort Hancock. That plan allows for the retention of the Spermaceti 

Cove Life-Saving Station as an orientation center and museum concentrating on the U.S. 

Life-Saving Service.70 The treatment plan for the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is 

rehabilitation according to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which 

mandates the overall preservation of the station and will include the restoration of some 

historic elements. Future exhibit plans and interpretation plans will impact the use and 

rehabilitation of the building. The rehabilitation of the life-saving station will permit the 

continued use of the station as a museum and the retention of modern facilities while 

allowing for a more in depth interpretation of the building as a U.S. Life-Saving Station. 

The rehabilitation of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station should conform to local fire 

codes for public buildings. This may include the installation of fire suppression systems, 

which should be installed in a manner that does not damage historic building materials. 

Exterior Elements

• The exterior elements identified as character-defining features in the previous section 

should be retained and preserved. In most cases the elements identified as CDFs were 

original to the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. They all help define the 

structure and contribute to its historic integrity. Though the building envelope is 

sound and in good condition, it was noted that the paint finishes on the exterior 

elements are deteriorated. In order to better preserve those elements they should be 

properly prepared and painted. In general all exterior materials should be routinely 

maintained to avoid deterioration. The preservation of historic materials may require 

repair or replacement, which should be performed with in kind materials. 

• The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is significant as an example of the 

Duluth-type life-saving station designed by George R. Tolman. That significance is 

recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Landmark. 

The rehabilitation of the station should not alter the original design, massing or 

orientation and should retain extant historic elements and strive to preserve the 

CDFs. When feasible the rehabilitation should include the restoration of certain 

features that are documented in historic photographs, plans, and this report. 

 70 General Management Plan Amendment. (Department of the Interior, NPS, Jan. 1990) p. 19. 
142

• The Front and Back Porches are CDFs. The Front Porch was recently restored but 

the Back Porch remains enclosed. The Back Porch retains original elements and 

should be restored to an open porch based on the extant original elements and 

historic documentation. It was noted that the edges of the Back Porch floor boards 

are deteriorated. The boards should be repaired or replaced as necessary. 

• To a large extent the existing window openings at the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving 

Station retain historic elements and should be maintained and preserved. Some of the 

window opening elements are deteriorated and should be repaired in kind. In some 

cases the window sashes have been replaced with sashes that don’t match the original 

elements. The rehabilitation of the window openings should include the replacement 

of non-historic sashes with sashes that replicate the appearance of the original sashes, 

including restoration glass. Certain window openings were altered after the US. LifeSaving Service period, which is the proposed period of interpretation. If feasible, 

using historic documentation the original window openings that are not extant should 

be restored. These include the first-story south elevation window opening for the 

Storm-Clothes Room (currently W104 & W105); the north elevation half-round 

window opening with fanlight sash in the Boat Room (W213); and the west elevation 

Boat Room window openings (W111 & W112). Previous research indicated that the 

existing sashes in W111 and W112 may have been moved from W102 and W103. 

When W111 and W112 are replaced the current sashes should be moved to W102 and 

W103 to replace those reproduction sashes with historic sashes. 

• The existing exterior storm windows are in varying stages of disrepair. If feasible, 

consideration should be given to removing the storm windows and replacing them 

with demountable storm windows that are removed seasonally. This would allow for 

greater visitor appreciation of the station in its historic condition. 

• It is recommended that the Park consider the removal of the south elevation exterior 

staircase from second floor, when feasible. The stair creates conditions of 

deterioration for the historic window openings below it, has altered a highly visible 

character defining elevation, and its existence creates path systems at the site that are 

at odds with the historic circulation. The Park should determine whether the staircase 

is necessary from a code perspective and decide the course of action based on that 

information. 

Interior Elements

• The interior elements identified as character-defining features in the previous section 

should be retained and preserved. The historic elements help define the structure and 

contribute to its historic integrity. Work that would affect these elements should be 

carefully thought out and should be planned to have minimal impact on the historic 

materials. All interior elements should be routinely maintained to avoid 

deterioration. The preservation of historic elements may require repair or 

replacement, which should be performed with in kind materials. 
143

• It is recommended that the Park review the existing environmental controls and 

consider the feasibility of rehabilitating those systems. The current collection of ad 

hoc heaters, fans, and window-mounted air conditioning units do not sufficiently 

address the needs of the building and detract from the historic appearance of the lifesaving station. In addition the air conditioning units create conditions of 

deterioration at the window openings. Since air conditioning will likely be an 

important aspect of visitor comfort, the Park should consider a forced air delivery 

system but will need to address concealing forced air ducts, equipment placement 

options, and other questions of sustainability and energy efficiency. It is 

recommended that these issues be included in the future planning for the Spermaceti 

Cove Life-Saving Station. 

Plan 

• Original rooms of the interior plan in all sections and on all stories of the 1894 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station should be retained and preserved. In addition 

the open basement and basement staircase constructed in 1909 should be preserved. 

The partition wall that separated the Storm Clothes Room from the Mess Room was 

previously removed; that partition should be restored to enhance the interpretation of 

the U.S. Life-Saving service at Spermaceti Cove. Future rehabilitation of the interior 

spaces should not include the construction of any walls that would partition these 

rooms or affect the original plan of the interior. The installation of interpretive 

materials in the station should be done in a manner that preserves the original plan 

and does not divide original spaces. 

Floors 

• The wood floors through out the station should be retained and preserved. 

Documentation indicated that the wood floors were originally exposed and oiled. 

The first-story floors are currently carpeted. The carpeting may be necessary for 

safety reasons and in high-traffic areas. However where feasible, the existing carpet 

should be removed to reveal the wood floors and the floors rehabilitated. In rooms 

where varied use conditions exist, installation of carpet runners in foot traffic routes 

should be considered, leaving the balance of the wood floor in its original condition. 

Walls 

• Extant examples of the original interior walls, including the rough textured plaster, 

wainscot, and the woodwork in the watch room should be retained and preserved. 

Any repairs or replacement of the historic wall materials should be done in kind. 
144

• A large portion of the wall surfaces in the building are currently covered with gypsum 

board. These walls have a smooth finish that is not in keeping with the textured 

plaster finish of the original plaster walls. In addition historic wainscot has been 

removed in several rooms. If the exhibit plan allows and it is feasible, historic 

woodwork and textured plaster wall materials that were removed should be restored 

based on extant examples. The original plaster walls were constructed with wood lath 

and plaster and should be replaced in kind if feasible. However the replication of the 

plaster walls could be achieved with gypsum board and a skim coat veneer of textured 

plaster that resembles the historic finish. The restoration of the wall materials should 

meet fire code requirements. 

• The interior clapboards on the south wall of the Boat Room are original to the station 

and should be retained and preserved. Especially the extant examples of these boards 

in their original unfinished state that are intact above the present Boat Room ceiling. 

Any repairs to these walls should be done with in kind materials. 

• In general the existing wall materials on the first story of the station appear to be in 

good condition. However, some of the wall materials on the second-story of the Main 

Block and the upper stories of the Tower are in poor condition. In many cases the 

gypsum board walls and plaster skim coats are cracking and exhibit signs of mold and 

mildew. At the third-story of the Tower some of the extant original plaster walls are 

deteriorated and need to be repaired. In general the extant woodwork appears to be 

sound. The paint finishes are generally degraded on the plaster and woodwork and 

many surfaces should be properly prepared and painted. Repair or replacement of 

historic materials should be done with in kind materials. 

Ceilings 

• Extant examples of the original open ceilings composed of exposed framing and 

subfloor or roof sheathing should be retained and preserved. Many of the open 

ceilings on the first-story of the Main Block and all stories of the Tower have been 

covered. Since the ceilings are currently covered, the condition of the original ceilings 

is not known. However the original elements were part of the structure of the station 

and should be extant. If feasible, these ceilings should be opened up and restored to 

their original configuration. 

Doorways 

• The extant historic interior doorways and doorway elements should be retained and 

preserved. Currently several of the original transom window openings are partially 

covered or completely concealed. If feasible the transom window openings and 

sashes should be restored. Also doorway elements that have been altered with nonhistoric elements should be restored with materials that replicate the original 

elements based on extant examples and historic documents. Any repairs to the 

historic element of the doorways should be performed with in kind materials. 
145

Window Openings 

• As identified in the previous section, the various sizes and types of window openings 

and the associated elements, including sashes, muntin profiles and casing profiles are 

considered CDFs of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. As with the 

exterior trim, the extant historic interior trim elements should be retained and 

preserved. The restoration of the historic sashes should include the replication of 

original muntin profiles based on extant examples and historic documents. If feasible, 

historic window opening materials that are not extant should be restored based on 

extant examples and historic documents. Repair or replacement of historic materials 

should be done with in kind materials. 

• It is recommended that the Park review the existing window treatments/light control 

(blinds) as part of the future exhibit plan. Light control is needed both for comfort 

and to protect museum objects on display. However, future plans should consider 

period compatible treatments that could enhance the quality of interior spaces. 

Staircases and Related Elements 

• The Tower staircase retains its original configuration and elements that should be 

preserved. With exception of the wainscot along the staircase walls, the staircase 

elements were historically unfinished and treated with oil. If feasible, the 

rehabilitation of the station should include the restoration of the natural finishes of 

the staircase elements. 

Accessibility

Compliance with ADA accessibility requirements should be part of the rehabilitation of the 

1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. The following recommendations should guide the 

placement of ADA accessible facilities. 

• The first story of the station was equipped with an ADA compliant entrance in 2004 

and should remain accessible. Also landscape features including the existing 

boardwalks and concrete walkways should be maintained to provide a stable surface 

from the parking lot to the station. 

• Compliance with ADA accessibility requires the installation of a handicapped 

accessible restroom. It would be most desirable for the Park to construct a separate 

restroom facility in an area that is easily accessible from the visitor parking area and 

the life-saving station. This alternative would reduce the impact on the life-saving 

station. Future Park planning should consider the construction of such an accessible 

restroom facility. 
146

• If it is determined that accessible restrooms should be installed in the life-saving 

station, the construction of the restrooms should be accomplished with the least 

amount of alterations to historic elements as possible. The existing Women’s 

Restroom could be reconfigured into a unisex accessible restroom. It appears to be 

large enough to accommodate accessible utilities with minimal alterations. The 

existing toilets and sinks will need to be replaced with accessible utilities that are 

placed in the proper locations to allow access. It maybe necessary to widen the 

doorway but based on the measurements the existing doorway may meet the ADA 

requirements. If the construction of ADA compliant bathrooms requires alterations 

to the doorways, the doorways and doorway elements should be constructed to 

replicate the appearance of the historic elements. 

• Additional interpretive panels that describe the second story of the Main Block and 

the upper levels of the Tower should be installed at the first story. 
147

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

149

Adlerstein, Michael, Kay Roush, David Turello et al, General Management Plan, Gateway 

 National Recreation Area, New York / New Jersey. U.S. Department of the Interior, 

 National Park Service, Aug. 1979. 

Albee, Peggy Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Historic Structure Report, Provincetown, 

 Massachusetts, Cape Cod National Seashore, S. Wellfleet, MA. (Boston, MA: NPS, 

 NAR, CRC, BCB, June 1988). 

Bearss, Edwin C. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station Historic Resources Study and Historic 

 Structure Report. Denver: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 

 January 1983. 

Dalton, J.W. The Life Savers of Cape Cod. Boston, MA: The Barta Press, 1902; reprinted by 

 The Chatham Press, Old Greenwich, CT. 

General Management Plan Amendment: Development Concept Plan and Interpretation 

 Prospectus: Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area, New York/New 

 Jersey. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, January 1990. 

Greenwood, Richard E. National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form, 

 “Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District,” June 28, 1976, 

 revised November 9, 1982. 

Harris, Cyril M. American Architecture an Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York: W.W. 

 Norton & Company, Inc., 1998. 

Hoffman, Thomas. Sandy Hook’s Lifesavers. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park 

 Service, Gateway NRA, Sandy Hook Unit. 

Herrala, Cory, edited by Thomas J. Hoffman. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Historic 

 Landscape Report, 1848 – 1974. Unpublished draft copy, Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway 

 NRA, August 2004. 

Noble, Dennis L. That Others Might Live: The U.S. Life-Saving Service, 1878-1915. Annapolis: 

 MD, Naval Institute Press, 1994. 

Shanks, Ralph, Wick York and Lisa Woo Shanks, The U.S. Life-Saving Service, Heros, Rescues 

 and Architecture of the Early Coast Guard. Petaluma, CA: Costaño Books, 1996. 

Torres-Reyes, Richardo & Jonathan Fricker, National Register of Historic Places Inventory - 

 Nomination Form, “Fort Hancock Life-Saving Station/ The Spermaceti Cove No. 2 

 Life-Saving Station,” April 1975, updated March 1980. 

Weeks, Kay D. and Anne E. Grimmer. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 

 Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, 

 Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. Washington, D.C.: U.S. 

 Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1995. 

151

APPENDICES 
152
153

APPENDIX A 

Duluth-type Life-Saving Station 

George R. Tolman, 189371

 71 Plans for the Duluth-type life-saving station were copied from mylar prints in the HAP collection, 

Lowell, MA. This particular set of plans was used for the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station but they are 

considered to be the general plans for the station type, which were altered to specific site 

requirements. The hand written elevation orientations were for the Old Harbor station not 

Spermaceti Cove. 
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
APPENDIX B 

Original Specifications, Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, 189772

 

72 These specifications were transcribed in Peggy Albee’s Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, HSR, 

Provincetown, Massachusetts, Cape Cod National Seashore, S. Wellfleet, MA. (Boston, MA: U.S. DOI, 

NPS, NAR, CRC, BCB, June 1988) Appendix B, pp. 152 - 172. 

167
168



















188
APPENDIX C 

FIELD NOTES: MEASUREMENTS 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, 

Sandy Hook Unit; Gateway National Recreation Area 

Richard Wells and Peter Dessauer 

NPS, Denver Services Center, 1988 

189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
APPENDIX D 

Specifications for work of repairs and improvements 

at the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Fifth District, December 190873

 

73 These specifications were transcribed in Edwin C. Bearss, Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

Historic Resources Study and Historic Structure Report (Denver: U.S. Department of the Interior, 

National Park Service, January 1983) Appendix C, pp. 318 - 323. 

245
246






253

APPENDIX E 

Paint Analysis 

255

Introduction

Project Scope 

The exterior and interior of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station will be 

rehabilitated to reflect the stations historic appearance. This report describes the findings of 

the exterior and interior paint analysis conducted on the historic building elements of the lifesaving station. The historic paint finishes are described in the following tables, with selected 

layers matched to a standardized color-notation system for the periods of interpretive 

interest.74 The exterior and interior paint colors were matched to early paint applications that 

date from the construction of the station through 1915 when the Life-Saving Service was 

merged with the Revenue Cutter Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard. 

The information in this report can be used to recreate the historic finishes of the exterior and 

interior of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station for the periods specified. 

Methodology 

A total of two-hundred fifteen exterior and interior paint samples were taken during site visits 

to the Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway NRA in November 2007 and January 2008 (see “Paint 

Sample Locations”). Paint samples were taken from accessible building elements using an 

Xacto knife and are included in the list of “Paint Sample Locations.” In the laboratory at the 

Historic Architecture Program (HAP) in Lowell, MA, all samples were examined with a 

Bausch and Lomb “Sterozoom 7” microscope under 10 to 70 times magnification, illuminated 

by tungsten fiber-optic light. Some samples were also examined under ultraviolet light to help 

determine the sequence and composition of paint layers. Representative samples were 

mounted in wax-filled Petri-dishes to better examine their finish sequences. All samples 

taken from the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station will be stored at the HAP laboratory 

in Lowell, MA, and will be available for future research. 

Limited chemical testing was also preformed in conjunction with the paint analysis. Paints 

containing lead were identified by spot testing with a solution of sodium sulfide and water. 

The presence of shellac was determined by testing with denatured alcohol. 

The chronological finish stratigraphy from each sample was recorded in chart form; these 

sequences were correlated to one another through their common layers. These “chromochronologies” are given in the subsequent tables; each horizontal row represents the 

elements’ finishes at one period in time. Drawing upon the documentary and physical 

research, dates were assigned to some of the rows to illustrate the finishes during certain 

periods. 

 74 The Munsell Color Notation System is an internationally recognized standard of color 

measurement that identifies color in terms of three attributes, hue (color), value (lightness/darkness, or 

degree of white/black mixed in to the color) and chroma (saturation, or intensity of the color). 
256

Color matches were performed under the HAP microscope to the finish layer determined to 

be representative of the periods described above. The layers were matched to Munsell System 

color cards, glossy finish, and are included with this report. Photomicrographs of selected 

paint samples are included with this report and provide representative examples of the paint 

finishes applied to the exterior and interior elements of the life-saving station. 

All color names are subjective designations intended to distinguish between paint layers and 

provide a general color notation. The Munsell color notations provide a standard method of 

color description, but are approximations not exact matches of the historic paint colors. In 

addition, paints (particularly oil-based) can darken or yellow over time, and certain pigments 

fade. It should also be noted that color is only one factor affecting a coatings’ appearance; 

sheen, opacity, texture, and application techniques also play a role. 

Exterior Paint Analysis

Forty-seven paint samples were taken from exterior building elements of the Spermaceti Cove 

Life-Saving Station that were representative of the stations original materials. The present 

Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was constructed 1894 (see “Original Appearance”). 

Exterior paint samples were taken to identify historic paint colors and also for a means of 

comparing various exterior elements. Through examination of the paint evidence it was 

possible to discern which elements were original and which were later alterations. That 

helped gain a better understanding of the original structure and the evolution of the station. 

Selected samples from exterior building materials are listed in Tables I, II, and III which 

illustrate the exterior paint colors of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station from the 

earliest paint application to the most recent. 

Examination of the exterior paint samples and station documentation, including historic 

photographs, helped establish the earliest paint schemes. Photographic documentation 

indicated that the exterior wall shingles were originally unpainted, and were probably not 

painted until circa 1930. Other exterior elements including the trim, cornices, doorway 

elements, and window opening elements were originally painted. The earliest paint colors 

found on those elements at Spermaceti Cove were similar the paint colors used on the 

exterior of the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station75 and specified for the Duluth-type life-saving 

station. 

As previously discussed, it appeared that the specifications for the Duluth-type life-saving 

station were general specifications that were adapted to the individual stations. The 

specifications for the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station incorporated a section entitled “Paint 

and Glazing” with the following general guide lines and specific instructions for the exterior 

work: 

 All woodwork for painting and oiling to be prepared by properly 

rubbing down, puttying up, etc. 

 75 Andrea Gilmore, Old Harbor Life Saving Station Paint Study (Boston, MA: NPS, NARO, BCB, 

CRC 1979); included as “Appendix N. Finishes Analysis,” Albee pp. 288 – 332. It should be noted that 

the Paint Study for the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station focused on the interior paint colors. The 

determination of the exterior paint colors was based on the specifications for that station. 
257

 All knots properly killed with shellac, nails set, and work oiled 

before puttying up. 

 All paint work to be of the best material, with a mixed white lead 

and zinc base, using a large portion of oil, and the smallest practicable 

portion of spirit or drier. 

 Only pure linseed oil to be used. 

 Shingles not to be painted or stained 

 Outside work. – All the outside work usually painted to be painted 

three coats. 

 The following to be painted a French gray: Cornices, trimmings, 

moldings, casings, piazza, and porch posts, railings, steps, and the 

ceilings of piazza and porch. Outside of all window sashes to be blue 

black. 

 The remainder of the outside work, including doors, to be light 

Colonial yellow. 

 Pulley stiles oiled three coats, not painted. Cherry window stops 

oiled two coats and varnished.76

The specifications also called for the following exterior finishes for the Boat Room: 

 Boat-room paint. – In boat room, doors both sides, sashes (inside), 

and trimmings about them to be painted a light olive.77

The fact that the exterior wall shingles were originally unpainted was corroborated through 

historic photographs and the station specifications. In addition the specification noted that 

the shingles were not stained. The extant wall shingles, with the exception of those within the 

west elevation enclosed porch, were replaced by the NPS in 1987 - 1988. It also seems likely 

that the shingles within the enclosed porch were replaced in circa 1918 when the station was 

reshingled. However, the documentation leaves no doubt that the shingles were historically 

left unfinished. 

The earliest paint color on the trim elements, including the cornices, raked moldings, Tower 

brackets, front and back porch elements, and doorway and window opening surrounds was 

an off-white primer followed by a light gray finish color. It appeared that these paints were 

applied soon after the station was completed. This was especially evident on certain samples 

that had layers of dirt between paint applications but none between the wood and the first 

two paint colors. The medium gray paint color matches both the “French gray” specification 

and the paint color used at Old Harbor. The medium gray color was matched to Munsell 

Color Notation System 10YR 5/1. 

Other exterior elements of the station appeared to be finished as described in the 

specifications. However, in many cases the extant exterior elements have been rehabilitated 

and the earlier finishes removed. The most reliable exterior sash sample was taken from 

W109, which was an original opening with original sashes. The lower sash (sample P105) had 

an off-white primer with a black finish that was similar to the “blue black” color specified for 

the exterior of the sashes. The black sash color was matched to Munsell Color Notation 

System N 0.5/0.6%, which is a neutral black. 

 

76 Albee p. 167. See Appendix B of this report. 

77 Ibid. 
258

The west elevation entry doorway (D103) provided the best paint sample for the exterior door 

color. The earliest paint color on that door was a tan, which was also evident on the door for 

D101. The tan color could also be described as yellow ochre, which appears to have been the 

“Colonial yellow” color specified for the doors. The tan paint color was matched to Munsell 

Color Notation System 10YR 7/6. 

Though the Boat Room doors have been replaced, the specifications cited above indicated 

that they were painted the same olive green as some of the interior elements (see “Interior 

Paint Analysis”). The olive green color matched to the interior elements of the Spermaceti 

Cove station was Munsell Color Notation System 7.5Y 4/4. 

The records of the Life-Saving Service documented the painting of the exterior, which 

provided a basis for determining the time periods for certain color applications. The log 

books recorded that in May 1903 the crew of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station painted 

the exterior of the station. This project was undertaken soon after a standardized paint color 

was established for the U.S. Life-Saving Service Fifth District stations.78 The paint evidence 

indicated that during this exterior paint application the same color was applied to the exterior 

trim elements, window opening elements and doorway elements, with the possible exception 

of the Boat Room doors. The paint layer above the earlier medium gray was a yellowish tan 

color that appeared to coincide with the 1903 paint project. The same yellowish tan paint 

color was applied to the exterior trim, cornices, porch elements, doorways and doors, 

window openings and sashes. The yellowish tan paint color was matched to Munsell Color 

Notation System 2.5Y 9/4. 

The next documented paint application to the exterior of the life-saving station was in May 

1908; five years after the previous painting project. At that time the crew painted the exterior 

of the station, the storehouse, and the flagstaff. The records indicated that they used 100 

pounds of white lead, 15 pounds of blind green, 41⁄2 gallons of raw linseed oil, 1 quart of japan 

dryer, 1⁄2 gallon of turpentine, and 10 pounds of putty.79 The paint evidence indicated that 

some of the exterior elements were again painted with a yellowish tan color but that the color 

of certain elements was changed. A second application of yellowish tan was found on the 

cornice trim, rake moldings, porch elements, and doorway and window opening surrounds. 

However, the doors and window sashes appeared to have been painted green. The use of the 

green paint on those elements during the 1908 paint application was supported by the list of 

materials that included “blind green.” It is not known whether the Boat Room doors were 

kept olive green or painted the darker green to match the other doors and window sashes at 

the time. For the 1908 paint application the yellowish tan trim paint was the same as the 

previous application (2.5Y 9/4) and the green paint was matched to Munsell Color Notation 

System 7.5G 2/6. 

As previously discussed, the first significant alterations to the station occurred in 1909 when 

the basement, the south elevation bulkhead, and the window opening for the basement 

stairway (W106) were added. Since this work occurred soon after the exterior painting in 

1908 the new elements were presumably primed and painted to match the existing building. 

The exterior of the Spermaceti Cove station was painted again in April 1912. The paint 

evidence indicated that at that time the trim color was changed to off-white, while the doors 

 

78 Bearss, p. 255. 

79 Ibid, p. 266. 
259

and window sashes remained green. Since there are overall fewer paint layers on the doors 

and sashes it appeared possible that they were not painted at the time, since it was only four 

years since the previous paint application. The paint samples from the porch rafters and 

ceiling indicated that they were painted a mint-green color at this time, while the other porch 

elements were painted off-white. The off-white paint color used in this paint application was 

matched to Munsell Color Notation System 5Y 8/2 and the mint-green was matched to 

Munsell Color Notation System 7.5G 8/2. 

Of the documentation reviewed, the 1912 paint application was the last documented exterior 

paint project during the tenure of the Life-Saving Service and the Coast Guard. The paint 

evidence indicated that the exterior of the station was painted several times during the use by 

the Coast Guard. Those paint applications appeared to continue the use of off-white or white 

trim, with green doors and sashes. The paint evidence also showed that the porch rafters and 

ceilings were painted green during most of that period. Historic photographs from circa 1916 

indicated that the Boat Room doors were painted a dark color which matched the window 

sash paint. Thus the white and green color scheme continued through the Coast Guards use 

of the station. The only anomaly appeared to be the paint colors on the elements of the front 

porch some time after circa 1916. Paint samples from the extant half-post indicated that it 

and most likely other posts and railings were paint an olive-tan color. The front porch rafter 

sample indicated that the rafters were painted gray at that same time. These colors were not 

found on samples from the back porch and are not consistent with earlier paint colors or the 

later colors. 

The exterior wall shingles were also painted during the Coast Guard tenure at Spermaceti 

Cove. A paint sample from the wall shingles enclosed by the west porch indicated that the 

walls were painted white until 1987 when the old shingles were removed and replaced with 

unpainted shingles. This appearance of the exterior wall shingles is appropriate for the 

stations appearance prior to circa 1930. 

The paint colors matched for the exterior of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station date 

from the original construction in 1894, the 1908 paint application and the 1912 paint 

application. The station was altered in 1909 and those alterations will not be removed during 

future rehabilitation. The original paint colors are useful in the interpretation of the 

Spermaceti Cove station and the Duluth-type station but would not be representative of the 

structure after the 1909 alterations. It is therefore recommended that the exterior be painted 

to match either the 1908 or the 1912 paint colors. The use of either of those period paint 

colors would be representative of how the station historically appeared. 
260

TABLE I. Exterior Elements 

SAMPLE P087 P115, P119 P089, P090 P113, P114 

ELEMENT East/front porch 

northeast post at 

Tower. 

West/back porch 

cased beam & 

southeast post 

East/front porch 

rafter 

West/back porch 

rafter & ceiling 

board 

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood 

 

1894 off-white 

medium gray 

off-white 

medium gray 

off-white 

medium gray 

off-white 

medium gray 

 

1903 yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan 

1908 yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan 

1912 off-white off-white mint green mint green 

ca. 1916 off-white off-white 

 olive/tan off-white off-white 

gray 

 white off-white green green 

ca. 1930 white off-white green green 

 white 

white 

white 

off-white white dark green dark green 

 white white porch enclosed green 

 & ceiling/rafters 

ca. 1962 off-white off-white covered ca. 1962 light blue/gray 

 thru 2004. 

 gray gray 

 

 gray white gray 

1979 white white 

 white white 

white 
261

TABLE II. Exterior Elements 

SAMPLE P103 P106 P104 P105 

ELEMENT West elevation 

W111 window 

opening casing 

West elevation 

W109 & north 

elevation W114 

window casings 

West elevation 

W112 lower sash 

West elevation 

W109 lower sash

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood 

 

1894 medium gray off-white 

black 

1903 yellowish tan yellowish tan 

1908 yellowish tan green 

1912 off-white 

ca. 1916 off-white 

off-white 

 green 

 off-white 

(grayed) 

 green 

 off-white 

ca. 1930 off-white off-white off-white 

dark green 

dark green 

 white white 

 white white green green 

 green green 

ca. 1962 light blue/gray light blue/gray light blue/gray light blue/gray 

 gray gray gray gray 

medium gray medium gray medium gray 

1979 off-white off-white off-white off-white 

 white white white white 

 white white white white 
262

TABLE III. Exterior Elements 

SAMPLE P097, P099 P084 P122 P126 

ELEMENT South elevation 

belt course, & 

west elevation 

cornice 

South elevation 

of Tower D101 

West elevation 

D103 (within 

enclosed porch 

was exterior) 

West elevation 

W207 & W208 

north window 

casing 

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood 

 

1894 off-white 

medium gray 

tan tan medium gray 

1903 yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan yellowish tan 

1908 yellowish tan green green yellowish tan 

1912 off-white green green off-white 

ca. 1916 off-white dark green dark green off-white 

off-white 

 off-white green green off-white 

 white white 

ca. 1930 white green white 

 white white white 

 white light gray white 

 white white white 

 green

 

ca. 1962 white off-white light blue/gray light blue/gray 

 gray gray 

1979 white white white 

 white white white 

 white
263

Table IV. Exterior Elements 

 Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch80 

Exterior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Cornices, Raked Moldings, 

Tower Brackets, 

Front and Back Porch Elements, 

Doorway and Window Opening Surrounds 

10YR 5/1

(medium gray)

Exterior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Window Sashes N 0.5/0.6%

(black)

Exterior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Exterior Doors of Main Block and Tower 

(D101, D102, D103) 

10YR 7/6

(tan)

Exterior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Boat Room Doors 

(since there was no physical evidence of the 

olive green color on the extant doors, the 

color is based on the interior samples and the 

specifications for the Duluth-type station) 

7.5Y 4/4

(olive green)

 80 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color 

matches see the Munsell color swatches attached to the HSR. 
264

Table V. Exterior Elements 

 Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch81 

Exterior Elements circa 1908 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Cornices, Raked Moldings, 

Tower Brackets, 

Front and Back Porch Elements, 

Doorway and Window Opening Surrounds 

2.5Y 9/4 

(yellowish tan)

Exterior Elements circa 1908 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Window Sashes 

Exterior Doors (D101, D102, D103) 

(the color of the Boat Room Doors is 

unknown for this period) 

7.5G 2/6

(blind green)

 81 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color 

matches see the Munsell color swatches attached to the HSR. 
265

Table VI. Exterior Elements 

 Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch82 

Exterior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Cornices, Raked Moldings, 

Tower Brackets, 

Front and Back Porch Posts, Railings, & , 

Doorway and Window Opening Surrounds 

5Y 8/2 

(off-white)

Exterior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Window Sashes 

Exterior Doors (D101, D102, D103) 

(the color of the Boat Room Doors is 

unknown for this period, but historic 

photographs depict the doors matching the 

sash color in circa 1916) 

7.5G 2/6

(blind green)

Exterior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Front and Back Porch Rafters and Ceilings 7.5G 8/2

(mint-green)

 82 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color 

matches see the Munsell color swatches attached to the HSR. 
266

Figure 65. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P087 taken from 

the East/Front Porch original northeast half-post. 

Figure 66. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P089 taken from 

verge board and rafter on East/Front Porch. 
267

Interior Paint Analysis

One-hundred sixty-eight paint samples were taken from interior building elements of the 

1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. Interior paint samples were taken to identify 

historic paint colors and also for a means of comparing various elements and determining 

which elements were alterations. Through analysis of the paint evidence it was possible to 

gain a better understanding of the original structure and the evolution of the station. As with 

the exterior paint projects the log books of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station 

documented when the crew painted the interior of the station. That information provided a 

basis for determining when certain paint colors were applied. Selected samples from interior 

building materials are listed in Tables VII through XV which illustrate the interior paint 

colors of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station from the earliest paint application to 

the most recent. 

Original Paint Colors 

The earliest paint colors on the interior elements at Spermaceti Cove were similar the paint 

colors found on the interior of the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station83 and specified for the 

Duluth-type life-saving station. As previously discussed, the specifications for the Old 

Harbor Life-Saving Station incorporated a section entitled “Paint and Glazing,” which 

included the following instructions for the interior work: 

 Inside work. – All work usually painted to have three coats. 

 The following are to be French gray: Boards and exposed timber of 

first-story ceilings. 

 The following a light olive tint: Doors, sashes, all standing finish, 

casings, dado, base, chair rail, sheathing, pantry, cupboards, shelves, 

underside of stowaway floor and timbers, underside of roof and 

timbers, second-story ceiling and timber of tower, third story and 

watch room of tower, including walls, ceilings, and exposed timbers, 

sheathing, stepladder, string casings, and exposed woodwork of all 

stairs (excepting the hard-wood work, which will be oiled two coats 

and rubbed down), crew’s lockers, mantels, standing finish. All upper 

hard-wood floors, including piazza, to be oiled two coats in the 

proportion 1 turpentine to 8 raw oil. 

 Boat-room paint. – In boat room, doors both sides, sashes (inside), 

and trimmings about them to be painted a light olive. 

 Excepting as above specified, there will be no paint work inside 

boat room. Plank to platform and runways will not be painted.84

The interior paint samples indicated that the woodwork at the 1894 Spermaceti Cove LifeSaving Station was painted according to the specifications. Of the extant original materials 

sampled in the Main Block and Tower an olive green paint color was the first finish layer on 

the first-story wainscoting, doorway surrounds, doors, window opening surrounds, and 

sashes; the second-story wainscoting, baseboard (Room 205), doorway surrounds, doors, 

 83 Gilmore, see Albee pp. 288 – 332. 

84 Albee p. 167. See Appendix B of this report. 
268

transom (D205), window opening surrounds, sashes, exposed rafters and roof 

sheathing/ceiling boards, raked molding, and narrow molding at the juncture of the rafters 

and walls; the third-story doorway surrounds, window surrounds, exposed rafters and roof 

sheathing/ceiling boards (Room 302), and stepladder stringers (the third-story wainscoting 

appeared to be replaced, and the sashes were either stripped of their finishes or replaced); the 

fourth-story original woodwork including wainscoting, cornice molding, corner post casing, 

window seat soffits, and window opening surrounds (the sashes were not original). The olive 

green color matched to the interior elements of the Spermaceti Cove station was Munsell 

Color Notation System 7.5Y 4/4. The only anomaly appeared to be the wainscoting in the 

back entry hall (Room 106) which appeared to have been originally shellacked and not 

painted until after the Life-Saving Service period. 

As stated in the specifications, some of the exceptions to the painted interior woodwork were 

the hardwood elements of the staircase. Samples taken from the newel posts, railing, 

balusters, risers, and treads indicated that these were originally unpainted. In addition, the 

log books for the station documented that the staircase elements were oiled.85

The specifications noted that the interior wall plaster should be made with “sufficient yellow 

ocher to be mixed with the sand coat to finish a light canary tint.”86 This indicated that the 

interior plaster walls were originally intended to be unpainted. The absence of a paint color 

specification for the walls in the specifications further supports this conclusion. Paint 

samples from the extant plaster walls exhibited a tinted plaster that would have had a tan 

appearance, as well as subsequent paint layers. 

In the first story the exposed joists and boards on the ceilings were to be painted “French 

gray.” The only original exposed ceiling elements on the first story were in the basement 

staircase closet (Room 104a). However, the ceiling was inaccessible and was not sampled 

during this project. Since other first story rooms were painted as specified, it seems likely that 

the ceilings were also painted as specified. Also some of the exterior elements were painted 

medium gray including the porch ceiling elements. Presumably that exterior gray was 

“French gray” since that was specified for the exterior too. If additional ceiling elements are 

uncovered during the rehabilitation of the station, they should be examined for paint 

evidence. The medium gray color on the exterior elements was matched to Munsell Color 

Notation System 10YR 5/1. 

Paint samples from the Boat Room (Room 109) indicated that it was also originally painted to 

specification. In this case the walls and exposed timbers were left unpainted and the doorway 

surrounds, doors, window opening surrounds, and sashes were painted olive green. 

Though most of the wood flooring on the first story is currently covered, the log books 

documented that the Spermaceti Cove station crew oiled the floors prior to moving into the 

station. The log books also recorded that the floors were periodically oiled throughout the 

Life-Saving Service tenure at Spermaceti Cove. 

 85 Bearss, p. 153. 

86 Albee p. 161. See Appendix B of this report. 
269

Subsequent Paint Colors 

The station log books recorded that the Kitchen and Mess Room were painted in 1897.87 The 

documentation suggested that this was the first paint application to the wall plaster. The 

woodwork elements in those rooms may have been painted at the same time. However, there 

was no historic wall material extant in either of the rooms for paint sampling. 

The next recorded interior paint application was in April 1902. At that time the crew painted 

the Mess Room, Keeper’s Room and other rooms.88 The quantity of materials used was less 

than one-sixth of the quantities used for future interior painting projects, which suggested 

that only a few rooms were painted. The paint evidence suggested that the plaster walls of the 

Back Entry Hall (Room 106) were also painted at that time, which seems likely given its 

proximity to the Keeper’s Room. Of the first-story rooms sampled it appeared the Room 106 

was the only room with intact original materials that showed evidence of the 1902 paint 

application. As previously described, all original building materials were removed from the 

mess room and most are not extant in the Keeper’s Room. 

What appeared to be the first extensive interior paint project since the original application 

was in April and May of 1906.89 Both the documentary evidence and the paint evidence 

suggested that most of the rooms were painted at that time. Analysis of the paint evidence 

suggests that the woodwork on the first story of the station was painted a light gray at that 

time. The light gray paint color did have an olive cast to it as well. Of the extant materials 

tested only the wainscoting in the back entry hall did not exhibit the light gray. The light gray 

paint color was also applied to the woodwork on the second story, third story, and fourth 

story, including the staircase wainscoting. The light gray color was matched to Munsell Color 

Notation System 10Y 7/1. 

Paint samples from the extant original plaster indicated that the plaster walls were painted tan 

during the 1906 paint application. The tan color used was similar to the original tan finish of 

the unpainted plaster. The same color was used on the first, second, and third-story rooms 

with the exception of Room 205 and Room 302, in which the plaster was left unpainted. The 

tan paint color was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 2.5Y 8/4. 

The interior of the station was painted again in the spring of 1912 but when the crew ran out 

of supplies it was continued in May of the following year.90 The records documented that the 

materials used included the same natural lead tints as in 1906, which suggested that the paint 

colors in 1912 and 1913 would be similar to those used in 1906. The paint samples indicated 

that the plaster was painted tan during this period but woodwork was painted a light gray- tan 

color, which was different from the light gray used on the woodwork in 1906. The light graytan paint color was matched to Munsell Color Notation System 2.5Y 7/2. 

 87 Bearss, p. 152. 

88 Bearss, p. 254. 

89 Bearss, p. 264. 

90 Bearss, pp. 278 & 279. 
270

On the first story the basement staircase closet (Room 104a) that was created in 1909 was not 

painted in 1912 but retained the paint colors that were applied to the original elements of the 

Storm Clothes Room in 1906 (those same colors were applied to the tongue-and-groove 

board partition wall and the new window opening when they were installed in 1909). 

The paint evidence indicated that the plaster walls and the doorway trim in the back entry 

hallway were painted in 1912 but that the wainscoting in that room remained unpainted until 

a later date. 

The paint samples from the second-story elements indicated that the primary spaces 

including the Staircase Hallway, Locker Room, and Crew’s Quarters were all painted in 1912. 

However, the Spare Room (Room 205) was not painted at that time and retained the 1906 

paint colors. 

On the third-story examination of the paint evidence determined that only the plaster walls in 

the Staircase Hallway were painted in 1912. The woodwork in that room retained the light 

gray color of the previous paint scheme and the elements in the Stowaway (Room 302) 

retained their original finish. 

Likewise, the woodwork in the fourth-story Watch Room retained the 1906 light gray paint 

color. However, the paint samples indicated that his room received an additional application 

of the light gray paint color. It is not known whether that second application of light gray 

occurred in 1912 or prior to that, but a layer of oil between the two gray layers does suggest 

that they were applied at different times. 

As with the previous paint application, the Boat Room walls and exposed framing remained 

unpainted and the window opening elements were painted to match other woodwork in the 

station. 

The documentation for the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station does not discuss 

painting projects beyond the 1912 and 1913 paint applications. The paint evidence 

demonstrated that the interior woodwork and plaster walls were painted numerous times 

during the occupancy by the U.S. Coast Guard, the N.J. State Parks Department, and the NPS. 

Two unique paint colors appeared to be applied during the Life-Saving Service tenure. In 

Rooms 106, 107, and 201 there was evidence of a yellowish-green paint directly after the 1912 

paint colors. In Room 106 that color was on both the plaster and the woodwork and helped 

delineate the paint stratigraphy for that space. Another color that coincided with the 

yellowish green was a deep purple found on the woodwork in the Tower Watch Room. This 

color appeared after the second application of light gray, which was most likely after 1912. 

A paint scheme that was applied numerous times to the interior of the station consisted of an 

orange-tan paint color on the plaster and an off-white paint color on the woodwork. The 

occurrence of these colors in the paint stratigraphy on practically every interior paint sample 

indicated that they were applied during the years the station was used by the U.S. Coast 

Guard. The orange-tan paint color used in this paint application was matched to Munsell 

Color Notation System 7.5YR 6/8 and the off-white was matched to Munsell Color Notation 

System 5Y 9/1. The paint applications also helped date certain alterations to the building to 

the U.S. Coast Guard period. 
271

Subsequent paint schemes included off-white woodwork and plaster; light blue woodwork 

and off-white plaster (the staircase was first painted with this color); and more recently some 

rooms were painted off-white and others with combinations of gray woodwork and white 

plaster/wall board and ceilings, as well as gray below the chair rail level and white on the 

upper wall sections in the Boat Room. 

Since the station was altered in 1909 and those alterations will not be removed during future 

rehabilitation, it is recommended that the interior be painted to match either the 1906 or the 

1912 paint colors. The original paint colors are useful in the interpretation of the Spermaceti 

Cove station and the Duluth-type station but would not be representative of the structure 

after the 1909 alterations. The use of paint colors from either of the 1908 or 1912 periods 

would be representative of how the station historically appeared. 
272

TABLE VII. Interior Elements 

SAMPLE P002, P010 P004, P006, P072, P075 

ELEMENT Room 101, D101 

architrave 

Room 101, west 

wall wainscoting 

Room 101a, 

north wall 

wainscoting 

Room 101, stair 

newels, and 

stringer 

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood 

 

ca. 1894 brown 

olive green 

tan/brown 

olive green 

brown 

olive green 

built up layers of 

oil 

 

1902 Documentation indicated that only a few rooms were painted in 1902. 

1906 light gray light gray 

light gray 

light gray 

1912-1913 light gray-tan light gray-tan light gray-tan 

 off-white off-white white 

 off-white off-white off-white 

 off-white off-white off-white 

(wall enclosing 

Room 101a was 

installed) 

 

light blue light blue light blue 

light blue light blue light blue light blue 

light blue light blue light blue 

 mint green light gray 

 red-brown red-brown red-brown 

light gray light gray gray 

medium gray medium gray medium gray 

 gray gray 

 dark gray gray gray 
273

TABLE VIII. Interior Elements 

SAMPLE P014 P015, P016 P017 P010 

ELEMENT Room 102, south 

wall plaster 

Room 102, 

cornice molding 

and frame of 

ceiling coffer 

Room 102, panel 

of ceiling coffer 

Room 102, D110 

architrave 

SUBSTRATE Plaster Wood Wood Wood 

 

1894 finish coat 

pigmented with 

yellow ocher 

 brown 

olive green 

 

1902 Documentation indicated that only a few rooms were painted in 1902. 

1906 tan light gray 

1912-1913 tan light gray-tan 

 orange-tan 

 orange-tan 

 orange-tan off-white 

 orange-tan off-white tan 

orange-tan 

off-white 

 orange-tan off-white orange-tan 

 white off-white off-white light blue 

 off-white off-white light blue 

mint green (trace of mint 

between layers) 

mint green 

 

 off-white red-brown 

 off-white white white light gray 

 white medium gray 

 white 

white 

white white gray 
274

TABLE IX. Interior Elements 

SAMPLE P023, P027 P024 P028 P026, P206 

ELEMENT Room 104a, 

south wall 

wainscoting, and 

west wall 

wainscoting 

Room 104a, east 

partition wall 

(1909) tongueand-groove 

boards 

Room 104a, 

north wall 

cornice molding 

Room 104a, west 

and north wall 

plaster 

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Plaster 

 

1894 brown 

olive green 

 tan 

olive green 

finish coat 

pigmented with 

yellow ocher 

 

1902 Documentation indicated that only a few rooms were painted in 1902. 

1906 light gray light blue-gray 

light gray (1909) 

light gray off-white 

tan 

 

1912-1913 

 white 

off-white 

white off-white orange-tan 

 off-white off-white orange-tan orange-tan 

 off-white/beige white orange-tan orange-tan 

 off-white off-white orange-tan orange-tan 

orange-tan 

 off-white off-white white white 

 white white 

 off-white off-white 

 off-white white 

 off-white white 

 off-white white 
275

TABLE X. Interior Elements 

SAMPLE P038 P039 P041 P212 

ELEMENT Room 106, east 

wall wainscoting

Room 106, north 

wall plaster 

Room 106, D114 

surround 

Room 107, D114 

lower left panel 

of door 

SUBSTRATE Wood Plaster Wood Wood 

 

1894 resinous layer 

tested positive 

for shellac 

finish coat 

pigmented with 

yellow ocher 

olive green olive green 

 

1902 tan 

1906 tan off-white light gray 

1912-1913 tan off-white light gray-tan 

yellowish green yellowish green yellowish green 

 off-white orange-tan off-white off-white 

 white orange-tan off-white off-white 

 orange-tan white off-white 

 medium gray orange-tan off-white off-white 

 blue gray white white off-white 

 gray off-white white 

medium gray mint green mint green mint green 

 medium gray off-white off-white 

off-white 

 

 gray off-white off-white off-white 

 blue gray white white beige/peach 

 off-white white 

white 

off-white beige/off-white 
276

TABLE XI. Interior Elements 

SAMPLE P055 P056, P060 P059 P061 

ELEMENT Room 109, south 

wall clapboards 

(below chair rail 

level) 

Room 109, west 

and north wall 

tongue-andgroove boards 

(below chair rail 

level) 

Room 109, W112 

bottom sash 

Room 109, W113 

window opening 

surround 

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Wood 

 

1894 unpainted walls open to olive green 

 framing 

1902 

 

1906 light gray 

light gray 

1912-1913 light gray-tan 

 cream

 

 tan 

orange-tan 

tan 

orange-tan 

 off-white 

 

 dark gray gray white white 

light gray dark gray off-white off-white 

 white green white 

 light green light green off-white 

light gray light gray light gray off-white 

 white white off-white 

off-white 

off-white 

gray medium gray gray light gray 

dark gray dark gray dark gray dark gray 

 medium gray medium gray 

 gray gray gray gray 
277

TABLE XII. Interior Elements 

SAMPLE P131 P132 P140 P143 

ELEMENT Room 201, W201 

lintel trim 

Room 201, south 

wall wainscoting 

Room 202, D204 

architrave 

Room 202, west 

wall plaster 

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Plaster 

 

1894 olive green olive green olive green finish coat 

pigmented with 

yellow ocher 

 

1902 Documentation indicated that only a few rooms were painted in 1902. 

1906 light gray light gray light gray tan 

1912-1913 light gray-tan light gray-tan light gray-tan 

 yellowish green 

 off-white orange tan white orange-tan 

 off-white white orange-tan 

 off-white off-white 

off-white 

white orange-tan 

 off-white off-white orange-tan 

 off-white white white 

 off-white off-white off-white 

 off-white off-white off-white 

 off-white off-white 

light blue 

blue 

light blue 

blue 

light blue white 

 

light blue light blue light blue 

light blue-green light blue-green light blue-green white 

 gray gray gray 
278

TABLE XIII. Interior Elements 

SAMPLE P155 P152, P153, 

P176, P177 

P150 P175 

ELEMENT Room 205, north 

wall plaster 

Room 205 and 

Room 206, 

rafters and 

ceiling boards 

Room 206, south 

wall wainscoting 

Room 206, south 

wall plaster 

SUBSTRATE Plaster Wood Wood Plaster 

 

1894 finish coat 

pigmented with 

yellow ocher 

off-white 

olive green 

brown 

olive green 

finish coat 

pigmented with 

yellow ocher 

 

1902 Documentation indicated that only a few rooms were painted in 1902. 

1906 light gray light gray tan 

1912 off-white/tan tan 

 off-white dark tan 

orange-tan orange-tan off-white orange tan 

 orange-tan off-white orange tan 

 orange-tan white off-white white 

 white white white white 

 gray off-white

 

 white white white 

light blue 

off-white 

 white white light blue white 

 white 

(Room 206 only) 

gray 
279

TABLE XIV. Interior Elements 

SAMPLE P183, P187 P186 P191 P192, P193 

ELEMENT Room 301, east 

and west plaster 

walls 

Room 301, W304 

architrave 

Room 302, south 

wall plaster 

Room 302, 

rafters and 

ceiling boards 

SUBSTRATE Plaster Wood Plaster Wood 

 

1894 finish coat 

pigmented with 

yellow ocher 

brown 

olive green 

 off-white 

olive green 

 

1902 Documentation indicated that only a few rooms were painted in 1902. 

1906 tan light gray 

1912 tan 

 orange-tan off-white orange-tan white 

 orange-tan 

orange-tan 

off-white 

 orange-tan off-white orange-tan white 

 orange-tan off-white 

 white off-white 

 off-white 

 white off-white 

 white light blue 

 blue 

 

 white light blue 
280

TABLE XV. Interior Elements 

SAMPLE P195, P196, P197 P198 P194 P201 

ELEMENT Room 401, east 

wall wainscoting, 

cornice, soffit 

Room 401, W407 

lintel trim 

Room 401, 

coffered ceiling 

panel 

Room 401, 

painted brick 

chimney (added 

in 1926) 

SUBSTRATE Wood Wood Wood Brick 

 

1894 brown 

olive green 

olive green 

1902 Documentation indicated that only a few rooms were painted in 1902. 

1906 light gray light gray 

1912-1913 light gray light gray 

deep purple deep purple 

 tan tan 

orange-tan orange-tan 

tan (orange hue) tan(orange hue) 

tan (orange hue) tan(orange hue) 

orange-tan orange-tan tan 

orange tan 

orange-tan 

orange-tan orange-tan orange-tan orange-tan 

orange-tan orange-tan light blue orange-tan 

orange-tan orange-tan white 

green 

orange-tan 

 orange-tan white white 

light blue 

orange-tan 

 orange-tan off-white off-white orange-tan 

 white white off-white white 

light blue light blue off-white light blue 

 white white white 
281

Table XVI. Interior Elements 

 Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch91 

Interior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Woodwork including wainscoting, doorway 

and window opening trim on all stories, as 

well as ceiling elements on upper stories and 

all woodwork in Watch Room. 

7.5Y 4/4

(olive green)

Interior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Ceiling elements on first story as specified 

(color matched to “French gray” exterior 

color that was also specified for the first-story 

ceilings). 

10YR 5/1

(medium gray)

Interior Elements circa 1894 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Plaster (the color approximates the tinted 

color of the plaster walls; the plaster was not 

painted during this period). 

2.5Y 8/4

(tan)

 91 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color 

matches see the Munsell color swatches attached to the HSR. 
282

Table XVII. Interior Elements 

 Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch92 

Interior Elements circa 1906 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Woodwork including wainscoting, doorway 

and window opening trim on all stories, as 

well as ceiling elements on upper stories and 

all woodwork in Watch Room. 

10Y 7/1

(light gray)

Interior Elements circa 1906 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Ceiling elements on first story as specified 

(the documents indicated that the walls were 

painted; the ceilings were probably not 

painted at that time; color matched to 

“French gray”). 

10YR 5/1

(gray)

Interior Elements circa 1906 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Plaster (first paint application). 2.5Y 8/4

(tan)

 92 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color 

matches see the Munsell color swatches attached to the HSR. 
283

Table XVII. Interior Elements 

 Munsell Color Notation System Number & Swatch93 

Interior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Woodwork including wainscoting, doorway 

and window opening trim on all stories, as 

well as ceiling elements on upper stories. 

Paint evidence suggests that all woodwork in 

Watch Room remained light gray. 

2.5Y 7/2

(light gray-tan)

Interior Elements circa 1912 Munsell Color Number & Swatch 

Plaster 2.5Y 8/4

(tan)

 93 The color swatches on this page are reproduced from digital images. For the accurate color 

matches see the Munsell color swatches attached to the HSR. 
284

Figure 67. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P002 taken from 

D101 interior trim. 

Figure 68. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P006 taken from 

wainscoting in Staircase Hallway closet/Room 101a. 
285

Figure 69. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P014 taken from 

Room 102 plaster wall above D110. 

Figure 70. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, sample P039 taken from 

Room 106 north plaster wall. 
286

Paint Sample Locations 

Interior Paint Samples 

Sample No. Room No. Description 

P001 Room 101 Lower panel of D101. 

P002 Room 101 Molded surround and block of D101 architrave. 

P003 Room 101 West wall wainscoting cap. 

P004 Room 101 West wall wainscoting. 

P005 Room 101 Board wall enclosing closet beneath staircase. 

P006 Room 101a West wall wainscoting. 

P007 Room 101a West wall baseboard cap. 

P008 Room 101a Tongue-and-groove flooring inside closet. 

P009 Room 102 South wall baseboard cap. 

P010 Room 102 D110 east side of door surround. 

P011 Room 102 D109 lower rail. 

P012 Room 102 West wall baseboard. 

P013 Room 102 North wall, west of D107, baseboard cap. 

P014 Room 102 South wall, plaster wall above D110. 

P015 Room 102 West wall, cornice molding. 

P016 Room 102 Molded frame of ceiling corbel. 

P017 Room 102 Wooden ceiling panel. 

P018 Room 104 W104, lower sash. 

P019 Room 104 W104, window sill. 

P020 Room 104 W104, window surround. 

P021 Room 104 D111, lower door panel facing into R104. 

P022 Room 104a D111, middle panel facing into stairwell, R104a. 

P023 Room 104a West wall wainscoting (original to Storm Clothes 

Room). 

P024 Room 104a East wall tongue-and-groove boards. 

P025 Room 104a D111 east door jamb. 

P026 Room 104a West wall plaster. 

P027 Room 104a South wall wainscoting. 

P028 Room 104a North wall cornice trim (visible salmon paint color on 

cornice and ceiling). 

P029 Room 105 W107, lower sash. 

P030 Room 105 W107, upper sash. 

P031 Room 105 W107, window sill. 

P032 Room 105 W107, apron below sill. 

P033 Room 105 South wall baseboard. 

P034 Room 105 West wall, trim at opening to Room 105a, former 

pantry. 

P035 Room 105 D113, south door surround. 

P036 Room 106 D113, threshold. 

P037 Room 106 North wall baseboard. 

P038 Room 106 East wall wainscoting. 

P039 Room 106 North wall plaster. 

P040 Room 106 D114 surround at juncture of wall and surround. 
287

Interior Paint Samples Continued 

Sample No. Room No. Description 

P041 Room 106 D114 surround. 

P042 Room 106 D103 panel. 

P043 Room 106 D114. 

P044 Room 106 South wall upper set of pegs. 

P045 Room 106 South wall lower set of pegs. 

P046 Room 106 South wall molded cornice. 

P047 Room 106 Wooden panel of corbelled ceiling. 

P048 Room 107 D114 panel. 

P049 Room 107 D114 surround. 

P050 Room 107 W109 top sash. 

P051 Room 107 W109 bottom sash. 

P052 Room 107 W109 window surround. 

P053 Room 107 W109 window sill. 

P054 Room 108 W110 lower sash. 

P055 Room 109 South wall clapboards. 

P056 Room 109 West wall tongue-and-groove boards. 

P057 Room 109 W111 surround. 

P058 Room 109 W112 top sash. 

P059 Room 109 W112 bottom sash. 

P060 Room 109 North wall tongue-and-groove boards. 

P061 Room 109 W113 molded surround. 

P062 Room 109 W113 interior storm sash. 

P063 Room 109 North wall, east post casing. 

P064 Room 109 East wall tongue-and-groove boards south of doors. 

P065 Room 109 South wall, post. 

P066 Room 109 Post in center of room, 2nd from east wall. 

P067 Room 109 South wind brace of post 2nd from east wall. 

P068 Room 109 Tongue-and-groove board ceiling. 

P069 Room 109 East wall tongue-and-groove boards between doors 

P070 Room 109 South wind brace of post 2nd from east wall, chamfer. 

P071 Room 109 Post in center of room, 2nd from east wall, above ceiling.

P072 Room 101 Newel post at bottom of staircase. 

P073 Room 101 Newel post at top of first run of stairs. 

P074 Room 101 Staircase railing. 

P075 Room 101 Staircase stringer at north wall of stair hall. 

P076 Room 101 Staircase baluster. 

P077 Room 101 Quarter round molding at top of riser, below tread. 

P078 Room 101 W101 north window surround (plain board trim). 

P079 Room 101 W101 window sill, extends full length of double 

window. 

P080 Room 101 W101 apron below window sill. 

P081 Room 101 W101 lower sash of north window. 

P082 Room 101 Staircase riser. 

P083 Room 101 Staircase tread. 
288

Exterior Paint Samples 

Sample No. Elevation Description 

P084 South, tower D101 panel. 

P085 South, tower D101 surround. 

P086 South, tower D101 threshold. 

P087 East Northeast half-post of east porch. 

P088 East W102 surround. 

P089 South, tower Interior verge board of east porch roof. 

P090 East East porch rafter. 

P091 East East porch tongue-and–groove ceiling boards. 

P092 South W105 surround. 

P093 South W106 surround and jamb. 

P094 South W106 sash (single sash window). 

P095 South W107 surround. 

P096 South W107 lower sash. 

P097 South Cyma recta horizontal molding/belt course. 

P098 South W206 window sill 

P099 West Exterior cornice of enclosed porch. 

P100 West W109 surround. 

P101 West W109 window sill. 

P102 West W110 window surround. 

P103 West W111 window surround. 

P104 West W112 lower sash. 

P105 West W109 lower sash. 

P106 West W109 window jamb. 

P107 North W114 awning sash. 

P108 North W114 window surround. 

P109 North Cyma recta horizontal molding/belt course. 

P110 East Rafter of shed roof covering boat room doorways. 

P111 East D105 lintel. 

P112 East Molded cornice above doorways, below shed roof. 

P113 West Enclosed porch rafter. 

P114 West Enclosed porch tongue-and-groove ceiling board. 

P115 West Enclosed porch west beam casing. 

P116 West D103 surround. 

P117 West Shingles protected by enclosed porch. 

P118 West D103 panel. 

P119 West Southeast post of enclosed porch, west wall of building.

P120 West Enclosed porch tongue-and-groove floor board. 

P121 West Enclosed porch, beveled molding at base of west wall of 

building. 
289

Exterior Paint Samples Continued 

Sample No. Elevation Description 

P122 West D103 molded trim around door panel 

P123 East D102 south doorway jamb 

P124 South Belt course at second story 

P125 East W102 north window opening surround 

P126 West W207 & 208 north board of window opening surround 

P127 East D106 lintel trim 

P128 East D105 & 106 lower fascia above doorways 

P129 East D105 & 106 upper fascia at cornice above doorways 

P130 North W115 Boat Room sash and hinge 

 

Interior Paint Samples Continued 

Sample No. Room No. Description 

P131 R201 W202 lintel trim 

P132 R201 South wall wainscoting 

P133 R201 South wall wainscoting cap 

P134 R201 West wall wainscoting in staircase from first story 

P135 R201 Wainscoting cap in staircase to third story 

P136 R201 D201 south surround 

P137 R201 D201 top rail 

P138 R201 Staircase riser to third floor 

P139 R201 Staircase header below third story floor 

P140 R202 D204 lintel trim 

P141 R202 W203 east trim of window opening 

P142 R202 North wall at R204 

P143 R202 West wall plaster over D204 

P144 R202 South wall sheetrock 

P145 R202 D202 trim on east side of doorway 

P146 R202 D203 trim on east side of doorway 

P147 R203 North wall at cornice of existing ceiling 

P148 R203 North wall plaster 

P149 R203 South wall above doorway 

P150 R206 South wall wainscoting 

P151 R205 North wall below chair rail level 

P152 R205 Tongue-and-groove ceiling/sheathing of west roof 

P153 R205 West roof rafter 

P154 R205 North wall molding at juncture of wall and rafter 

P155 R205 North wall above chair rail level 

P156 R205 North wall along cornice 

P157 R205 W209 apron below window sill 

P158 R205 W209 window opening surround 

P159 R205 D204 doorway surround 

P160 R205 North wall baseboard 
290

Interior Paint Samples Continued 

Sample No. Room No. Description 

P161 R206 W208 window jamb 

P162 R206 W208 exterior of bottom sash 

P163 R206 Quarter-round trim at base of wall/baseboard 

P164 R206 North wall baseboard 

P165 R206 D205 bulls-eye trim 

P166 R206 D205 transom sash 

P167 R206 D205 top door panel (R202 side of doorway) 

P168 R206 D205 top door panel (R206 side of doorway) 

P169 R206 W207 & 208 cornice molding 

P170 R206 W208 top sash 

P171 R206 W206 top sash 

P172 R206 W206 bottom sash 

P173 R206 W204 top sash 

P174 R206 South wall plaster at raked cornice molding 

P175 R206 South wall plaster above D206 

P176 R206 West roof rafter 

P177 R206 West roof ceiling board/sheathing 

P178 R206 South wall raked molding 

P179 R206 South wall wainscoting cap 

P180 R301 Stringer of ladder to fourth story 

P181 R301 Floor boards 

P182 R301 East wall wainscoting 

P183 R301 East wall plaster at window opening level 

P184 R301 East wall plaster near cornice 

P185 R301 W302 sash (appears early but muntins were removed) 

P186 R301 W304 east surround 

P187 R301 West wall plaster 

P188 R301 East wall wainscoting cap 

P189 R301 D301 south casing 

P190 R301 D301 bottom style of door at panel 

P191 R302 South wall plaster 

P192 R302 South roof rafter 

P193 R302 South roof ceiling boards/sheathing 

P194 R401 Ceiling panel 

P195 R401 East wall wainscoting at window level 

P196 R401 North wall cyma molded cornice 

P197 R401 North wall casing of header above window seat 

P198 R401 W407 lintel trim 

P199 R401 Railing around trap door opening 

P200 R401 North wall wainscoting at window level 

P201 R401 Chimney 

P202 R301 W303 rounded window stop 

P203 R401 Trim of coffered ceiling 

P204 R401 Floor board 

P205 R401 Northwest corner casing for structural posts 
291

Interior Paint Samples Continued 

Sample No. Room No. Description 

P206 R104a North wall plaster at cornice 

P207 R105 D113 south door jamb on east (R105) side 

P208 R106 Plaster below existing cornice 

P209 R106 Southwest baseboard (west wall south of D103) 

P210 R103 D109 upper door panel (paint appears to be stripped) 

P211 R106 Floor tile under wall-to-wall carpet (Linoleum) 

P212 R107 D114 lower east panel (paint appears to be stripped) 

P213 R109 W115 window jamb west side of opening 

P214 R109 W114 lower rail of surround 

P215 R109 W115 interior of sash 
292

National Park Service 

U.S.Department of the Interior 

 

 Historic Architecture Program 

 Northeast Region 

 Boott Cotton Mills Museum, 4th Floor 

 115 John Street 

 Lowell, MA 01852 

 

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA TM

 NPS photograph by James Lee, 2008