HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_1536 FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION A 2
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston
Lexington
-- s 1536 Mass. Avenue
�er1 i a-M rt -Tznn e v 1+0 se
- t use Dwelling
- - ___ r Samuel & Mary Jones
— = ption:
r
e M i h t� Ma /1/lu/ `l
Colonial Revival
4. Map. Draw sketch of building iocatiion j,�.,,uvect
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Clapboard
Outbuildings (describe) garage, rear right
Other features Modified (flat top) hip roof-
_ two ridge chimneys - cornice-bracket above
cornice Pilasters at corners - 2 closed
Altered Date (over)
Moved Date
7-7 5. Lot size:
One acre or less x Over one acre
Approximate frontage 73'
Approximate distance of building from street
30`
O NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by Ruth Beebe
USGS Quadrant
Organization
HC Photo no.
Date Oct. 14, 1975
(over)
SM-�1-75-R061465 (20M-2=76)
7. Original owner (if known)
Original use
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates
6. 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)
Other features (cont.) pediment dormers on front & back; one each on left & right-
larger window second floor above front door- front door has window & wide lights
on either side - front porch extends width of houm & has brackets & 3-cluster Tuscan
column supports - turned posts in,b alustrade - bay on left lower, topped by balustrade-
small hip roof & addition in rear - bay in rear lower with balustrade - stone foundation.
Construction of this house began in the spring of 1893. The owner, Mr.
Benjamin F. Tenney, had acquired the land and the older Meriam-Viles house
through his marriage to Mary Bowman Viles (see Hudson, Volume II, p. 693) .
Before starting construction, the Meriam-Viles house was moved to Woburn Street }
the first house on the right after crossing the railroad tracks W-3,f via6 um, T'
From 1918 until 1951 the house was owned and lived in by Daniel J.
O'Connell, a Lexington attorney active in town affairs and owner of commercial
property in Lexington Center. Following Mr. O'Connell's death, the house was
purchased by Edward B. Cass, another successful attorney.
(See correpondence, S.L. Whipple to Philip Hagar, in the files of the Lexington
Historical Society)
S. Lawrence Whipple, 1984
la. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 1536 MASS. AVE.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 2
BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The Lexington Minute-Man of March 31, 1893 heralds the construction of this house:
This spring will witness the beginning of operations on the slight hill back of the old Viles house on Main street,
tending to the erection of a modern residence for the occupancy of Mr. and Mrs. Tenney of Boston. The Viles
house is to be removed from its present site. With the addition of this proposed new house,the almost completed
Baptist church, and the residence of Mr. Foster Sherburne,this locality will assume a wonderfully improved and
attractive appearance.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lexington Minute-Man, March 31, 1893.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
March 2009