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HomeMy WebLinkAbouthancock-avenue_0011 FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no. MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION C 112 Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston >wn Lexington Idress 11 Hancock A tme wo - •esent use Residential _ resent owner =v " rZascription: x r,� _ r - = Lte �0 �Z - Source r72 s � l�, !Y Elul �WI�h -=-_- --T--- -- ale Mansard Cottage 9L Ntlf 4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Arct in relation to nearest cross streets and other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Clapboard s Outbuildings (describe) Barn, double doors Other features Slate, high pitched mansard roof, 2 dormer windows - side. Bay �- windows with heavy tall cornice(no bracket Altered x Date Early 1900's Moved Date 5. Lot size: One acre or less x Over one acre Approximate frontage 60' Approximate distance of building from street front steps 18-20' O NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by Sally Scott USGS Quadrant Organization Lex.Historical Comm. MHC Photo no. Date Sept. 4, 1975 (over) 7. Original owner (if known) J, A • G 1(�� 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 x Political Transportation 9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above) on front & N E side. Off center front door, side lights, dentil-triple molding above(flat & vaulted portico. NW side has small one-story shed addition, very simple in treatment, probably added later. ` Ell to the rear .not mansard, but pitched roof , again simple window treatment. Wooden diagonal lattice work at foundation. At cornice below of line, flat molding effect by narrow boards at right angle to the facade. Two chimneys in mansard portion of house (unable to see rear from street) These five mansard cottages were all del7eloped at the same time. Historical significance Built by ,john L. Norris (who also built the former Central Block) , Hancock Avenue houses began in 1871. Built on speculation; averaged one house per year. (See Lexington Minute Man; A Calendar History of Lexington, Massachusetts 1620- 1946 by E.B. Worthen) S. Lawrence Whipple, 1984 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 11 HANCOCK AVENUE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD © 112 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125 HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This was one of a number of houses local builder and contractor John L.Norris constructed on Hancock Avenue in the late 19th century. A brief mention appeared in the Lexington Minute-man on September 14, 1872 and read: Mr. J.L.Norris has sold to Mr. J.N. Morse,the cottage lately built by him on Hancock avenue,with 12,215 feet of land, for$3500. Mr.Norris has a nice residence for himself opposite, and we understand it is his intention to build two cottages more,beyond Mr. Morse's. This will fill up one side of the avenue as far as the railroad with houses of a uniform finish. John Noyes Morse(b.1844)was a Civil War veteran who was severely wounded at Poplar Grove Church resulting in his discharge in January 1865. He was captain in the State Militia in 1866 and became a resident of Lexington in 1869. On May 16, 1874 the newspaper included a brief description of a surprise party Mrs. Morse gave her husband for his birthday. "About fifty friends gathered at his residence on Hancock Avenue. A nice supper was prepared and enjoyed. The Arlon Quartette was present, and contributed much to the pleasure of the evening"(Lexington Minute-man,May 16, 1874). J.N. Morse worked as a cashier in Boston for many years. He was still living here in 1932. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington. Cambridge: The Riverside Press Co., 1913,vol. 2,p. 441. Lexington directories,various dates. Lexington Minute-man, Sept. 14, 1872; May 16, 1874. Supplement prepared by: Lisa Mausolf July 2009