oakland-street_0027 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town . Property Address LEXINGTON 27 OAKLAND ST. MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING 378 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: As indicated in the previous inventory form,this house and its neighbor at 29 Oakland Street were both constructed in 1895. On August 2, 1895 the Lexington Minute-man included the following description of the construction of the two houses and the development of this part of Oakland Street: During the late spring the extension of upper Oakland street was opened up,which carries the street over the summit of the hill to its limit which is reached at the extensive grounds of the Hayes estate. As yet the street is in a rough state but in time will be graded and will make a beautiful street and the house lots now to be had will be quickly snatched up by parties seeking a desirable building site on which to locate a new house . There are already in the process of construction two houses worth from five to six thousand dollars each. These houses are located on the right side of the street adjoining each other and will be completed about the same time. The first one is being building for Mrs. Charlotte E. Smith, of Charlestown, and the second for Mrs.Mary W. Ferguson of the same place. They are of the large, square style of architecture with large entrance halls in the middle of the front with rooms either side,with the plain surface broken by bays and ornamental windows. The frames are about completed and ready for the interior finish. According to Census records, in 1910 Mrs. Smith, age 61,resided here with her three daughters,two boarders and a servant. She was still living here in 1915 but by 1918 ownership had transferred to her daughter,Miss Charlotte Smith. By 1922 the property was owned and occupied by Edward and Helen Sargent,their three sons and a maid. The Sargents were still in residence in 1942. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Lexington Directories,various dates. Lexington Minute-Man,August 2, 1895. Middlesex County Register of Deeds, Cambridge,Mass. U.S. Census Records, 1900-1930. Supplement prepared by: Lisa Mausolf June 2009