Cabral’s Fish House.
Not surprisingly, the harborside fish house on this parcel was a large structure, covering almost as much land as the humans’ house. It’s a reminder that Provincetown had a hard-working waterfront in the 19th century and much of the 20th century. Mortgage deeds in the 1920s and 1930s involving this parcel refer to it as “situate 137 and 139 Commercial Street, excepting however from this conveyance the buildings known as Cabral’s Fish House.” I’m assuming that the reference is to thestructures identified as fish houses in contemporary street atlases and insurance maps. The fish house disappeared between 1929 and 1938, during the Great Depression, as did the abutting artist’s studio. But that’s all I know at the moment. Questions like “Which Cabrals ran this fish house?” and “Why was it held as an out-parcel in deed conveyances?” await future research.
¶ Last updated on 6 February 2019.
139 Commercial Street on the Town Map.
Also at 139 Commercial Street:
RE/MAX Long Point | Building 1.
Studio | 139½ Commercial Street.
Dwelling | 137A Commercial Street.
Thumbnail image: Detail from Bird’s Eye View of the Town of Provincetown (1882), by A. F. Poole, in the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library, Call No. G3764.P78A3 1882.P6.