HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_1404 FORM E - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION D 135
Office of ttne Secretary c+a+o v.•• -- --
' wn Lexington
cress 1404 Mass. Ave.
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Y ne qbc,.Ae-_
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��-- -- ;sent use
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sent owner Merwin Hathaway
�ription:
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Diurce Mi O t& Nl GAJ . 2,7
Queen, Anne '0 0
4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Clapboard (or Al siding?)
Outbuildings (describe)barn turned garage
w bronze
Other features Tower off front; wrap-around
porch w. spindle frieze-,--2nd floor right
y nglp, 6 bay -dormer over: dormer
gable, dentil course at cornice roof line &
nrrh,_slate roof
Altered No Date
;oma
PJ X x Moved Date
.5. Lot size.
-- — r
I
One acre or less Over one acre x
Approximate frontage 200'
Approximate distance of building from street
100'
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by E. W. Reinhardt
USGS Quadrant
HC Photo no. Organization Lex, Hist. Com.
Date 7/30/75
(over)
20M-s-73.a7sMa
7. Original owner (if known) Jo(/'fin NOrj�l
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) ,
Barn: Pediment gable, dentil molding continued across gable return, wide cornice
boards; - Stained glass window, on south side.
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 1404 MASS. AVENUE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 135
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
On September 27, 1889 the Lexington Minute-Jean reported:
Mr. J. L.Norris,to whom is due the credit of the healthy growth in the population on the hill just off of
Bloomfield street, is now erecting a residence for his own and family's occupancy. It is to be finely located on
the corner of Bloomfield and Main streets.
John L.Norris (1839-1919)was the developer and contractor responsible for much of the building activity in the
Bloomfield Street area in the 1880s. Norris,who had previously built the Norris Block at the Center and a group of
cottages on Hancock Avenue, initially lived in the house at 1430 Massachusetts Avenue(corner of Bloomfield Street)
before building this new Queen Anne-style house at 1404 Massachusetts Avenue in the late 1880s. His brother George
built the house at 39 Highland Avenue in 1888. John L.Norris was also a trustee of the Lexington Savings Bank. He
lived here until his death in 1919.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington,p. 496.
Lexington Directories, various dates.
Lexington Minute-Man, September 27, 1889.
Middlesex County Register of Deeds, Cambridge,Mass.
U.S. Census Records, 1900-1930.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
June 2009