HomeMy WebLinkAboutcedar-street_0136 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
58/253 Boston N. 1043
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Massachusetts Archives Building
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Town Lexington
�i , Place (neighborhood or village)
Address 136 Cedar Street(betw. Dever&Hamblen)
t w F -
f Historic Name
' Uses: Present Residential
Original Residential
Date of Construction c.1930
Source Assessors Records, Directories
Style/Form Bungalow
4 Architect/Builder unknown
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;t _ 1
Exterior Material:
' Foundation stone
Wall/Trim wood shingle
Roof asphalt shingle
Tn Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
garage
1
Major Alterations (with dates) 1979 -extended dormer
9 z Condition good
- Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
Acreage 26,490 SF
Recorded by Lisa Mausolf Setting mixed 20th century residential area
Organization Lexington Historical Commission
Date(month/year) April 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (136 Cedar Street)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
A relatively unchanged but simple example of a Bungalow, 136 Cedar Street is a 1 1/2-story, side-gabled dwelling which is
sheathed in wood shingles above a stone foundation. The roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles and displays overhanging eaves
with exposed rafters on the front, lateral eaves. The recessed integral porch displays fluted posts with capitals resting on a
shingled wall. The center entrance contains a glass window with three molded panels below. On one side of the entrance
there is a tripartite window consisting of a central 6/1 flanked by 4/1 windows. On the other side of the doorway there is a
paired 6/1 window. Rising from the center of the front roof slope is a low gable dormer containing two 6/1 windows. Like
the main roof, the lateral eaves display exposed rafters.
An exterior brick chimney rises from the south gable end which displays an asymmetrical profile owing to an abutting rear
shed with exposed rafters. The predominant window on the house is a 6/1 sash with a molded surround and appears in pairs
and individually. Projecting from the south wall is a shed-roofed bay window resting on a stone foundation and punctuated
by three 6/1 windows. A shed dormer spans the rear roof slope.
A pa-ved driveway extends to the north of the house,terminating at a side-gabled, wood-shingled garage resting on a concrete
founliation and capped by an asphalt-shingled roof. There are two sets of hinged double doors on the broad facade and 6/6
windows on the remaining elevations. The house is set on a 26,490 square foot lot and is set close to the road. The front
yard is shaded by large pine trees with rhododendrons plantings fronting the porch.
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.
This house occupies lots 38, 39,40, 41, 43, 44,45 and 81 of the Lexington Farms subdivision which was laid out in March
1912 (Book 202, Plan 11). Local assessors records indicate that the house was constructed in 1930. Valuation Records
indicate that lots 38-42 were owned by Rebecca Davison of Needham from 1915 until about 1926. The house at 136 Cedar
Street was apparently built shortly after 1926 by the new owner. The earliest known resident of the house was Arthur
Edwards, an undertaker, who is listed in the directory as living here from about 1932 to 1934. Edwards is not listed in the
Lexington Valuation records, suggesting he was renting the house from an unknown owner.
The property was sold by Doris Landers to John and Genevieve Nelson in 1949 although directories indicate that Mrs. John
Nelson was living in the ho--ise as early as 1942. John and Concorda Nelson occupied the property until 1977. The present
owners purchased the property in 1984.
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BIPILIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Lexington Assessors Records.
Lexington Directories,various dates.
Lexington Valuation Lists, various dates.
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attached a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form.