HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_1644 FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION A 14
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston
g` Lexington
- - -
__ 'Iss 1644 Mass Avenue
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hr—= ;nt use Offices
-nt owner
Elif _ iption:
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- Queen Anne
4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Clapboard & shingled
1 Outbuildings (describe)
E Other features Built as a duplex-ridge roof
three chimneys-shingle ornament in gable
band of shingles extends around top of(over)
Altered Yes Date
Moved Date
cry i
4 5. Lot size!
ti One acre or less x Over one acre
Approximate frontage 30'
Approximate distance of building from street
10'
O NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by Ruth Beebe
USGS Quadrant
Organization Lexington Historical Commission
HC Photo no.
Date October 4 1975
(over)
SM-9-75-R061465 (20M-2. 76)
_ 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)
Other features cont;ofbuilding three feet wide - double bay on right with small
drops from roof) - back porch (right side) has turned post & bgtton Medallion
trim - both front porches have been closed into rooms - left back porch has also
been made into room - stone foundation.
Built between 1875 and 1889 (see corresponding maps) . In 1889 it was owned
by Lewis Hunt. It was this same Hunt who laid out and named Wallis Court (Wallis
was his wife's maiden name) .
For many years, until it was zoned commer(ilally in 1929, it continued to be
a two-family house.
S. Lawrence Whipple, 1984
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 1644 MASS. AVE.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 14
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The Lexington Minute-man of April 1, 1887 includes an apparent mention to the construction of this double house as well
as that at 1629-32 Mass. Ave. (see#9):
We understand Mr. Lewis Hunt is intending to erect two double houses this spring to occupy sites on the Stevens
estate on Main street,recently purchased by him.
Lewis Hunt(1843-1893)was a prosperous local hardware merchant who became a resident of Lexington in 1884. He
owned considerable real estate in town and built the Hunt's Block at 1777-1793 Mass.Ave. in 1892 (razed in 1966).
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hudson,Charles. History of the Town of Lexington,revised and continued to 1912 by the Lexington Historical Society,
Vol. 2, p. 316. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1913.
Lexington Minute-Man,April 1, 1887.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
March 2009