HomeMy WebLinkAboutforest-street_0005 FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
K 4.28
XLA,SSAC HUSE TTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston
m Lexington
ress 5 Forest St.
Before 1910 Mr. Charles T. West
ae (Undertaker) & [,lard; Miss Smith (no
\ I� relative of Allen Smith
JV-
sent
sent use Thielling
i ng
Lived here.since 1910
' sent owner Mrs . Allen Smith (age93)
since 1910
cription:
= e Before 1875
- iource Map of 1875 & Mrs. Smith
-�€
e t! Artrl to
- � s
4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north.
i Exterior wall fabric Clapboard & shingle
-
+ 2 story clapboard,ridge
Outbuildings (describe)...fbarn ca/baz door
Other features Brick foundation. Lattice
V,�+ `G under porch-rancrete front steps. Door has
li ghtc On -blas and abnvp
Altered X See over Date 1930's
Moved Date
r
5. Lot size:
5277 ft.G
A One acre or less _ ` Over one acre
Approximate frontage 76'
Approximate distance of building from street
5'
Anne Grady, Nancy S. Seasholes
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by Elizabeth C. Whitman
USGS (quadrant
Organization Lexington Historical Commission
MHC Photo no. April, 1984
Date May I , 19 76
(over)
5M-2-75-R061465
7. Original owner (if known)
Original use
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal Conservation Recreation
Agricultural Education Religion
Architectural x Exploration/ Science/
The Arts settlement invention
Commerce Industry Social/
Communication Military humanitarian
Community development x Political Transportation
9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above)
This is close to commercial development. 3 storey ridge roof gable end to street.
14' wide porch runs across front left. Turned posts, dentils below overhang. Bay
to right of door. 1 story -1 room addition to rt, of bay in 1930's as well as 2 story
cross gable addition behind it. (These enlarge liv.rm. din.rm. + 1 bedroom. Fire place
added in liv. rm.) Din. room window projects& is leaded glass. In 1910 was a stained
glass window to left of front door. Small entablature at top of 2nd story. Porch at
2nd story level over liv. rm. addition. 3rd. story shingled, lower course serrated,
Left side had indented portion in 1910. Chimneys (2) on ridge, 1 dormer. 2nd floor
right rear overhangs lower (dining) room. Stair on left of hall goes straight up
then curves to right at top.
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Commmity: Form No:
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL CMISSION Le.:dngton 428
Office of the Secretary, Boston
Property Name: 5 Forest Street
Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
This building very likely began as a Mansard roof cottage similar to its
neighbors. A reference in the Lexington Minute Man indicates that owner C.T.
West added a second story in the 1890s. Noteworthy features include the vase-
shaped turned porch posts and blusters which repeat on a smaller scale the
shape of the posts. This is one of the few properties in the area to retain
a barn.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Unlike its neighbors, which were built as rental properties, this house
was occupied by its owner, Charles T. West. In the 1887 Directory, West is
listed as having an "insurance office at the coal yards," but from 1894 on he
was also an undertaker with an office on Massachusetts Avenue.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
1876 map
1889 map
1898 map
1906 map
1887 Directory
1894 Directory
1899 Directory
1906 Directory
Staple to Inventory form at bottom