HomeMy WebLinkAboutgrassland-street_0001 AREA FORM NO.
FORM B - BUILDING 580
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
294 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON, MA 02108
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-' ,- n Lexington
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1
cess 1 Grassland Street
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k = _ toric Name
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q ' Present residential
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_ -= �� � Original residential
)ESCRIPTION:
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:e 1923
source Middlesex Registry of Deeds
SKETCH MAP
Show property's location in relation Style 'Tudor
to nearest cross streets and/or
geographical features. Indicate Architect G. Merle Judkins
all buildings between inventoried
property and nearest intersection. Exterior wall fabric stucco, live-edge sidinc
Indicate north.
�p Outbuildings garage with live-edge
�o
siding and gambrel roof (1929)
MR� L3Rrbv�
L S� . Major alterations (with dates)separate
garage, two-story and basement wing
4
F-
h
extension to west (1929)
SS L-A
Z Moved Date
y Approx. acreage 1/6 acre (7,300 sq ft)
Recorded by Sara Chase Setting Suburban; n.b. original land-
Organization Lexington Historical Commission scape-garden with rhododendrons and lilacs.
Date Arril, 1984
(Staple additional sheets here)
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (Describe important architectural features and
evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community.)
It is always interesting to see what an architect designs for his own
dwelling and this modest version of "Stockbroker Tudor," popular on a large
scale in the 1920s, is no exception. A few other houses by Judkins exist in
Lexington, and most use "live edge" siding on at least a portion of the
exterior, stained dark brown, with stucco (troweled cement, smooth, not sandy)
to create an American version of half-timbering.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (Explain the role owners played in local or state
history and how the building relates to the development of the community.)
Only two houses in this section of the Cutler farm "subdivision" predate
this house. Presumably this corner lot was considered desirable, then, as it
was one of the first to be sold and built on. Building conformed to the five
restrictions set by Cutler on the plots he sold (to a larger developer, who
subdivided) : (1) no house to be built for less than $3,500 construction cost;
(2) residential use, except for certain lots designated for commercial use,
i.e. small neighborhood grocery stores; (3) 10-foot set-back from road; (4)
25 feet between houses; (5) no flat roofed structures of any sort, even out-
buildings. Judkins built this house for his own family and lived here until
1942. The second owners, Merrill Storts and family, opened the 1929 wing to
integral access with the 1923 portion, and remodeled the kitchen and one bath,
and sold to the Chases in 1970. Chase remodeled the kitchen in 1982.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES (name of publication, author, date and publisher)
-- Middlesex County Registry of Deeds, Book 13828, p. 420.
Personal communication from S. Lawrence Whipple.
10M - 7/82