Themes: architectural, community development, transportation

This structure was built for the Ballard Vale Mill Co., later know as the J. P. Bradlee Manufacturing Co., as their private firehouse to protect the company's Mill buildings and several employee tenements in the village. It has the distinction of being one of only two existing mid 19th century firehouses remaining in Andover, the other at 78 Maple St. With the construction of a new fire house by the town of Andover on the current site of the apartment building on Andover St. on the west side of the Shawsheen River this firehouse was no longer a necessity for the Mill Co. It was converted into a private dwelling house having just four rooms, two bedrooms and a bath. The Lowry family appear to be the first to occupy the house. The deed references the Plan of J. P. Bradlee Estate 1889 b. 218 p. 600. lot #25 on the plan and the southeastern part of parcel #7 in deed book 218 p. 238-245 of the Ballard Vale Mill properties.

Victor George & Jane Lowry purchased the former firehouse. With the death of V. George Lowry in 1937 the estate was inherited by wife Jane and children Patricia J., Virginia W. and Samuel D. Lowry all of Andover. The family later sell to Henry (Harry) C. & May Nason on Dec. 20, 1946. May died on April 24, 1960 and husband Harry then deeded the property over to George L & Audry M. Nason on June. 6, 1960. Harry held a life tenancy but died only a few months later on Sept. 11, 1960. The Nason family continues to own this historic property.