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BUILDING FORM (73 Meriam Street) ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the community. The house at 73 Meriam Street is a two-story, 3 x 2-bay, stuccoed dwelling which is capped by a bellcast gambrel roof. Set above a rubble foundation, the dwelling is oriented with its gambrel end to the street and its entrance containing a wooden door with 2 x 4-lights over two panels, centered on the broad, south side. A brick walk leads to the projecting, hip-roofed entrance porch which is approached from the side by concrete steps and set above a stone foundation. The porch is supported by wooden Roman Doric columns resting on pedestals. The columns are spanned by stick balusters. On either side of the entrance is a tripartite window with transom lights over single pane windows. Both sides of the roof are spanned by stuccoed shed dormers containing three 10/1 windows. The gambrel end facing the street is fronted by a single-story porch supported by four stuccoed columns resting on a stone deck. The porch is now enclosed with screens. Above the porch there are two 8/1 windows with molded surrounds and a semicircular window lighting the attic. The rear(north) elevation is punctuated by a more random pattern of individual windows and sets of three with a shed dormer. The rear entrance is fronted by a wooden porch. The house is set in a clearing, surrounded by woods. Along the street are several mortared stone posts about two feet tall and capped by slate tops. Between the stone posts is an iron gate with a curved geometric panel. l" HISTORICAL NARRATIVE Describe the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community. It appears that this house was constructed about 1918 for Obert and Beatrice Sletten. The Slettens first appear in the 1919 Valuation list which assesses them for a house valued at$5000 on lot 36 of the Oakmount Park subdivision. Mr. Sletten was a lawyer. By 1924 the house was occupied by Irving Hall, Jr. and his wife. Later occupants included George Ripley (c.1940); Everett and Irma Hardy(c.1950)and Ruth and Thomas Willson(1955 to 1985). BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Lexington Assessors Records. Lexington Directories, various dates. Lexington Valuation Lists, various dates. )2ecommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attached a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.