The Daily Free Press, April 21, 1890, announced that the Board of Alderman had approved plans submitted by Hartwell & Richardson for a new police station. To be “handsome and the finest public building in Waltham and one of the best municipal structures in the Boston area”, the new building was constructed on Lexington Street near Main. The exterior is simple, broken only by the brick entrance arch and the triple dormer which projects above the eave line. The material is water-struck brick.* A stairway in the projecting porch led to the first floor, while two stairs at the side led down to two ward rooms in the basement (a sleeping room for tamps “with water closets”, etc.)
Left of the entrance hall was planned a guard room (27’ x 29’6”), with a connecting toilet and bathroom, ample loder and closet space. At the right of the hall was to be an “office for the reception of prisoners” (16’ x 21’). The Chief-of-Police office is next, fully lighted by the corner bay”. A janitor’s and hostler’s office (13’6” x 12’6”), a storage room (15’’6” x 8’6”), and a side entry to the stable are on this first floor. Three tiers of cells are at the rear, with six cells per tier, except for the second level which has one double cell and four others.
The stable was planned to house two horses with ample wagon room. From the stable a ‘light and board’ staircase leads up to the court room on the second floor, which has a door leading to the middle cell level. The court room measurers 30’ x 37’6”. On this level is a library (10’ x 14’), a clerks’ office (11’6” x 16’6”). A judge’s room (10’6” x 14’6”) with water closet and toilet arrangements. A waiting room (13’ x 16’) has “water closet, bowls, etc.”
The third floor is comprised of four large sleeping rooms with closets. “Ventilation is well-provided throughout the floor and sanitary arrangements are scientific and complete”.
On April 22 1890, the Daily Free Press includes a public notice that plans for the $27,000 police station are on view at S. Patch’s office. (Samuel Patch was for years Superintendent of Buildings in Waltham, as well as being a practicing architect.)
*Alex Caissie, in a City Conservation League lecture on February 20, 976 refers to water-struck brick as a new method of making bricks which came in during the 1830’s and which produces bricks of an even-toned, salmon color,
Webster’s 2nd Edition, Unabridged, c1950, defines water-struck brick as those where water instead of sand is used to prevent sticking in the mold. Also, “marked irregularity by dipping in water before burning”.
Taken from the Waltham Museum Newsletter, March 10, 2007