To the editor:

Last week saw the demolition of the architecturally and historically significant gothic cottage at 135 Ferry Road. What was an important landmark on the outskirts of Bristol village is now gone forever. The homeowners who demolished it to build a new and larger house close to the water have obliterated all traces of the structure and no doubt hope that the citizens who were outraged by their actions will soon forget the house was ever there.

While this is a tragic loss to Bristol, it is hardly a surprising result as only those houses in the historic district and a modest number of individually designated properties are protected from significant alteration or demolition. A number of historic structures outside this small area have been lost. More will disappear as homeowners and developers seek to replace smaller scale houses with new, larger, and more valuable structures, especially as undeveloped land is all but gone and real estate prices continue to rise. Let us collectively, as a town, decide that the unique character of Bristol is worth preserving before it is too late.

It is unrealistic and naïve to rely on the good will of homeowners or developers and hope that what happened to 135 Ferry Road will not happen again and again, slowly eroding what makes this bayside town special.

Instead, let this unnecessary loss be a wakeup call that inspires the town of Bristol to introduce real protection for its historic structures and unique townscape beyond the historic district. An ordinance could be passed that would prevent homeowners or developers from demolishing structures that are more than a certain number of years old (for example, 75) if they are determined to be “historically significant”. The Bristol Historic District Commission could be charged with this determination after a public hearing and consideration of various factors, such as whether the structure is significant from an architectural, cultural, economic, or social history perspective. If the structure is determined to be historically significant demolition would not be permitted, if not, demolition could proceed. Such an ordinance would have protected 135 Ferry Road and would protect other structures in the future. It would preserve and protect significant buildings, streetscapes and neighborhoods, and promote the public welfare by ensuring the town remains an attractive and desirable place in which to live and work.

In 1863, after much handwringing and failure on the part of the city of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to act, the 1734 Hancock mansion on Beacon Hill was demolished to make way for two “modern” luxury townhouses (which have long since also been demolished). Had it survived, this Georgian masterpiece constructed from granite and containing stunning colonial interior features would be the most important pre-revolutionary house in Boston. Its demolition inspired a preservation movement in Boston that saved important structures such as the Old South Meetinghouse. Let the destruction of 135 Ferry Road provide a similar stimulus to Bristol. Future generations will thank us.

George Triantaris
92 State Street