HomeMy WebLinkAboutcliffe-street_0042 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
20/155 Boston N. 1044
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Massachusetts Archives Building
L�
` Town Lexington
Place (neighborhood or village) East Lexington
t' tk Address 42 Cliffe Street
Historic Name Philipas Apostolopoulos House
Uses: Present Residential
Original Residential
I Date of Construction 1917
S Source Assessors Records
Style/Form Craftsman
Architect/Builder unknown
Exterior Material:
Foundation stone
Wall/Trim stucco, wood
Roof asphalt shingle
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
o garage
o
Major Alterations (with dates) by 1950 -second story
� "" 0 �E facade additon?; c.1990 -new windows
o
Condition good
Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
CIE
Acreage 6,655 SF
Recorded by Lisa Mausolf Setting mixed 20th century residential neighborhood
Organization Lexington Historical Commission
Date (month/year) June 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (42 Cliffe Street)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
An unusual early 20th century dwelling,the house at 42 Cliffe Street appears to be a personal interpretation of the Four
Square style displaying elements of the Craftsman style as well as Mediterranean influences. The two-story,hip-roofed
building is set above a mortared stone foundation and is fronted by a stone stoop with a built-in balustrade panel. The walls
of the building are stuccoed and the overhanging eaves display exposed rafters, indicative of a Craftsman-style influence.
The facade is fronted by a single-story porch with arched openings and resting on round concrete corner columns with a
stuccoed lower level with glass block windows. Sheltered by the porch is an offcenter entrance contains a modern
replacement door with an oval window. On one side of the entrance there is an elevated stairhall window filled with leaded
glass; a three-sided bay window is located on the other side of the entrance. The second floor of the facade appears to be a
later addition but based on long-time neighbors, if it was not original it was added over forty years ago. The upper level is lit
by recently installed casement windows. Other windows include 1/1 modern replacements. Shingled hip dormers are
centered on the roof slopes. A projecting rectangular bay window is located at the rear of the south elevation. A shed-roofed
side porch projects from the north elevation. A stuccoed staircase leads to the side porch and deck.
,Che house is located opposite Drew Avenue. There is a stone wall along the street. To the north is a wood-shingled, hip-
bofed garage.
1
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 comprises lots 169-171 of the Mass. Avenue Terrace subdivision which was laid cut on land owned by J.W.
Wilbur in 1909 (County Plan Book 182, Plan 8.) Cliffe Street was not known as such until about 1920. The house was
constructed by Philipas Apostolupoulos. The Town Valuation List for 1917 indicates that the house was then unfinished and
valued at$2000. The valuation the next year was $3500 suggesting the completion of the house although Apostolupoulos
continued to reside in 3oston. By 1925 Apostolupoulos was assessed for a house valued at$5500, a garage at$200 and a
henhouse at$50. He apparently sold the property prior to 1929.
The house was owned and occupied by William and Margaret Bartels in the late 1920s. The house appears to have been
vacant for a number of years in the 1940s. Changing occupants suggest that the house may have served as a rental property.
Cecil and Frances MacDonald owned the house in the late 1950s and sold it to James and Janet Inglis in 1959. It was owned
by members of the Inglis family until 1979. The present owners purchased the house in 1986.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
(Lexington Assessors Records.
)Lexington Directories, various dates.
Lexington Valuation Lists, various dates.
Sanborn Maps of Lexington, 1927, 1935.
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, you must attached a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form.