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1k,91 V.
FORM N0.
FORM B - BUILDING 413 I
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
294 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON, MA 02108
Lexington
a fAj ass 331 Bedford Street
uric Name Si :onds Tavern
ICr
Present residence (+ rental, south end)
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r.. m ! [€,
)riginal residence; tavern '302-1820
SCRIPTION:
iii
c. 1795 north end; 1010 south end
auurce owner, John and Jean Shanahan
SKETCH MAP
Show property's location in relation Style
to nearest cross streets and/or
geographical features. Indicate Architect
all buildings between inventoried
property and nearest intersection. Exterior wall fabric clarboard
Indicate north.
meq. Outbuildings old barn, now two-car
garage
Major alterations (with dates)
�H
X.
!fi
FAe;--JErL Moved Date
(20' from street)
original Owner: Joshua Sir.:onds Approx. acreage one acre or less(75'frontace)
Recorded by Elizabeth Reinhardt Setting
Organization LexincYton Historical Cor.m.ission
Date January, 1976
(Staple additional sheets here)
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (Describe important architectural features and
evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community.)
North end: five bays wide, center chimnev, dentil course at cornice,
handsome door with crossetted architrave, fluted pilasters, simple entablature
with straight modillioned cornice. Graduated clapboards on north end. South
end: 1810 expansion continues dentil course at roof cornice, door nearly the
same as north end but with crossetting. South end brick with twin parapet
chimneys. Interior noteworthy for fine panelling in north end living room and
dining room. Smoke chamber access off stair landing into center chimney.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (Explain the role owners played in local or state
history and how the building relates to the development of the community.)
Joshua Simonds (1770-1858) , son of Minute Man Joshua Simonds, married
Abigail Cutler 1794. Joshua Simonds kept a public house on what is now
assachusetts Avenue at the foot of Fiske Hill, as well as opening this as a
tavern in 1802. The town increased greatly -when the new section of Bedford
Street was cut through in 1806 leading to the 1810 addition. The bar was
placed at the juncture of the two sections so both doors opened to barroom
space. Simonds tavern was one of 12 taverns which served the drovers bringing
_ cattle and goods down from Vermont and New Hampshire.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES (name of publication, author, date and publisher)
Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington.
Proceedings, Lexington Historical Society, Volume I, 1880. 'Old Taverns"
SPNEA. Picture file has photographs of interior panelling (1926; but 1976
panelling still intact)
10M - 7/82