Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbouthancock-avenue_0008 FORM E - BUILDING In Area no. Form no. 1%1ASSACH TISETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION C 110 Office of ttie Secretary, State House, Boston - wn Lexington dress 8 Hancock Ave. esent use R6sidential Win esent owner vscription: s - - i -70 to - - - - = Source F - le Italianate 9L NV 4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect in relation to nearest cross streets and other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Clapboard Outbuildings (describe) Barn in rear Other features Gable end to street. Off r center front door covered by pedimented `p portico supported by SAUO-fe 6(2v S ` .. Altered Date - - c Moved Date le 5. Lot size: One acre or less x Over one acre - Approximate frontage 75' Approximate distance of building from street Front steps - 15' DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by Sally T. Scott USGS Quadrant Organization Lex. Historical Comm. MHC Photo no. Date Sept. 4, 1975 (over) 7. Original owner (if known) Original use Subsequent uses (if any) and dates 8. Themes (check as many as applicable) Aboriginal Conservation Recreation Agricultural Education Religion Architectural Exploration/ Science/ The Arts settlement invention Commerce Industry Social/ Communication Military humanitarian Community development Political Transportation 9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above) recessed panelled columns; recessed panelled corner boards . One story bay windows at front; Hancock St. side of house (NE) NW side of house has one story addition . House looks to be one room wide. 2 full narrow chimneys on main section, one on rear ell. Widely spaced heavy dentil molding at front pediment & on NW side of house. Barn now used as garage - 2 windows directly adjoining large barn door. Hay loft opening above Brick foundation. 10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records, early maps, etc.) 3/73 INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address LEXINGTON 8 HANCOCK AVENUE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD © 110 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125 HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This house was occupied(if not built) in the early 1870s by local builder and contractor John L.Norris who was responsible for constructing the other late 19t'century houses on Hancock Avenue between 1872 and 1874. On November 14, 1875 the Minute-man reported that Norris had sold his Hancock Avenue residence with barn and an acre of land to G.W. Taylor for$5,600. Norris also built the Norris Block at Lexington Center and was a trustee of the Lexington Savings Bank. He went onto become the driving force behind the development of the Bloomfield Street neighborhood in the 1880s. After leaving Hancock Avenue,he later built larger,more stylish residences for himself at 1430 Massachusetts Avenue(corner of Bloomfield Street)and 1404 Massachusetts Avenue. By 1889 the house at 8 Hancock Avenue was owned by James A. Barker, a carpenter. Barker is last listed at this address in the 1902 directory. In 1905 he sold the property including house, stable and one acre of land(Lexington Minute-man, Sept. 30, 1905). BIBLIOGRAPHY: Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington. Cambridge: The Riverside Press Co., 1913,vol. 2,pp. 155-156. Lexington directories,various dates. Lexington Minute-man,November 14, 1875; Sept. 30, 1905. 1889 map. Supplement prepared by: Lisa Mausolf July 2009