HomeMy WebLinkAboutharrington-road_0011 F O Tl TIQ I. - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
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:�L,�SSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 57
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston -
- r Lexington
:ss 11 Harrington Rd,
y snt use Rental Residences
= a
nt owner Whalen
iption:
1 F17 C, i.
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irce �I i n 0TG /'�'l a✓I t 6 a �P 97
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4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect 4,C• W o'�-hbvw� ��d�•
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Shingle
Outbuildings (describe) 2 Car shingle garage
Other features Central turret with conical .
`a roof, wide porch from front center around
SE side of house
,. Altered Date
Moved Date
V-
5. Lot size:
Less than one acre g Over one acre
Approximate frontage 75 '
Approximate distance of building from street
30'
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by E.W. Reinhardt
USGS Quadrant
Organization Lex. Hist. Comm.
AIHC Photo no.
Date August 20,1975
(over)
i. Or•i-inal owner (if Known)
Original use _e-
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal Conservation ^� Recreation
Agricultuxal 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)
ed pax-� w, A� a-f
43L,_j`1d fIA-A1 c arc
Descrip. Cost. Fieldstone foundation. 1 story bay on west side, strongly marked
' str9ng course' between lst. & second levels, modified hip roof with dormers. Tall
chimneys (3) with ornamental brick courses at cap Heavy roof overhang, plain faschia
Harrington Rd. was Elm St-until ? 1930's?
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community: Form No:
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL CCWISSION
Office of the Secretary, Boston
Property Name: 11 Harrington Road
Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE 0-7
This house was built in 01ST (see Lexington Minute Man, and correspondence
in files of the Lexington Historical Society) . Home and office for many years of
Dr. J. Odin Tilton, one of Lexington's most respected physicians (his office and
waiting room were in the small addition on the east end) . In addition to his
professional duties, Dr. Tilton was also an antiquarian, amateur ornithologist,
and avid enthusiast of the Lexington Gun Club. f� t
A small stable/carriage house was demolished by a subsequent owner, Mrs. 1
John P. Whalen, in the 1960s. The Whalen family acquired the property about 194'�-
1946, renting the third floor for apartment use to Mr. and Mrs. W. Elliott Hanna,
(she was a well-known local artist) .
S. Lawrence Whipple, 1984
Staple to Inventory form at bottom
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 11 HARRINGTON ROAD
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 57
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
A brief mention in the Lexington Minute-man on April 30, 1897 noted that"Dr. Tilton's residence has been moved from
its old site to a position near the adjoining church property and on the vacated location Mrs. Tilton's father is to erect for
his daughter a handsome modern residence. The family will occupy the old house during the process of building the new
and everything has been arranged as conveniently as possible,with this idea in view. The only difference will be that
they will view affairs from a higher altitude,the house remaining on the timbers on which it was moved,raised several
feet higher in the air".
A few months later,the newspaper published a detailed description of the new house:
Mr. A.C. Washburn, one of Lexington's most successful carpenters and builders,has just completed for the
occupancy of Dr. J.O. Tilton and family an example of his skill and workmanship of which he may well feel
proud. The structure stands at the head of Lexington Green,next to the old First Parish church, occupying the
site of the old Simon W.Robinson house,which Dr. Tilton purchased some time ago and remodelled into a
pleasant and comfortable home that which has now been given place to the modern and elegantly appointed home
which has all the advantages of the exceptionally fine location of the old house which is to be moved away. The
house has a commanding appearance,yet is of no particular style of architecture,but is also a pleasing example
of a residence adapted to our New England climate and ways, so that it appears in good taste and is attractive as
well. A spacious open veranda and a recessed and pillared piazza are the most striking features of the exterior.
The doctor's quarters are distinct from the main house and have a separate entrance. They consist of an office or
waiting room, an operating room, filled with all kinds of convenient apparatus, cabinets, etc., and a toilette room
perfect in its appointments. These rooms face on a passageway which leads into the large main hall of the house,
which has its own.street entrance. The hall and living room are practically one,the former being finished in
sycamore,with handsome fire place of pressed brick, and the latter in oak,with a finely proportioned stairway,
broken half way up by a spacious landing with clustered windows and a broad window seat. The hall and sitting
room have a rich tapestry paper, in dull red and olive tones. The reception room and dining room are on either
side of the hall and are both finished in white enamel,which contrasts with handsome effect in the reception
room,with a rich-toned scarlet and maroon paper. The dining room has a finely proportioned and carved mantle,
while the side board is built into the room and is finished in mahogany to match the furnishings; a large bay,
opening out of the room, is arranged to accommodate plants and the room is hung above the decorated buckrum
wainscoting with a green-toned tapestry paper. The housekeeping departments are especially complete and
convenient in their arrangement, consisting of a large china closet, a pantry finished in hard pine with the ice
chest built into the same, a laundry and a large store room,besides the kitchen with its usual fittings. There are
five rooms on the second floor,two of which have connected toilette rooms and all are hung with artistic papers.
The third floor also affords ample room for well proportioned sleeping apartments. The linen closet and bath are
also important adjuncts to the house,the latter being furnished with open plumbing,nickel plated fixtures,
enameled tub and a handsome flooring of white tiles,while the walls are enameled and suitably decorated and
finished. There are numerous attractive features about the house which cannot be enumerated here, aside from a
passing mention of artistic gas and electric light fixtures, electric bells, and tastefully tinted ceilings and finely
finished wood work. This latter work was done under the skillful supervision of Mr. J.S. Scott,which is a
guarantee of its excellence(Lexington Minute-man, October 15, 1897).
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 11 HARRINGTON ROAD
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 57
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Josiah Odin Tilton(1853-1943)was born at Limerick,Maine in 1853. He was educated at Sanbornton and Milford,New
Hampshire and graduated from Colby College in 1875 and the University of New York Medical College in 1882. For
four years he was principal of Peterborough High School in New Hampshire. Dr. Tilton came to Lexington in 1883 and
held several positions in town including Board of Health and school physician.
The original address of this house was I Elm Avenue. It remained in the Tilton family until 1941 when it was sold to
John and Loretta Whalen. It was owned by the Whalen family until 1977.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington. Cambridge: The Riverside Press Co., 1913, vol. 2, p. 200.
Lexington Minute-Man, April 30, 1897; Oct. 15, 1897.
Middlesex County Register of Deeds, Cambridge,Mass.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
July 2009