Mr. Richard J. Greenleaf Jr. devised the design of this building and constructed it with the aid of his brother-in-law and a carpenter. The design was based on the box in which fried clams were sold. The building was originally constructed of homasote and was painted silver with red trim. The stand was immediately successful: 50 to 80 gallons of clams were sold per week. The stand became famous for its fried clams and for its architecture. Mrs. Greenleaf’s brother, a shellfish dealer in Rowley, gave them the pick of his clams. The Greenleafs sold the business in 1962. The next owner added the one-story dining room to the box.
Sources:
- Library of Congress photos of the Clam Box
- MACRIS
Historic Ipswich 