HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_2243 FORM B - BUILDING Assessor's Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
50/1586 Boston 1603
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION North
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD Town: Lexington
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Photograph
Address: 2243 Massachusetts Avenue
.:
Historic Name: McNamara House
r Uses: Present: residential
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Original: residential
Date of Construction: c.1890
Source: maps, visual inspection
Style/Form: Vernacular Gablefront
Architect/Builder: unknown
Exterior Material:
Foundation: stone
Wall/Trim: wood clapboards/wood
Roof: asphalt shingles
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Topographic or Assessor's Map none
Voll .1 Oy o I— Major Alterations(with dates):
170, 13i
8,677 Date?— rear, modern addition
184.9' 1 C
'7s 158B Condition: good
F
18,859 o '
�510 L.) 's Moved: no x yes Date
23381
Acreage: 0.44 acre
Ui W �h
58.04'
133.71 Setting: mixed residential neighborhood
_-- naa -"
along busy road
- MASSACHUSETTS AVE
m YL46
M70 qT
123.4' 1
�h.
2g, r
Recorded by: Lisa Mausolf
Organization: Lexington Historical Commission
Date(month/year): May 2008
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET LEXINGTON 2243 MASS. AVENUE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD,BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
1603
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
If checked,you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.
Located at the northwest corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Lake Street,2243 Massachusetts Avenue is a 2 '/2-story,
clapboarded dwelling which is oriented with its two-bay wide gablefront to Mass. Ave. The simple vernacular structure has
simple comerboards and projecting eaves and the main(south)and east elevations are fronted by a single-story porch supported
by plain posts resting on a mortared stone wall. There is a simple sidehall entry and the windows contain original 2/2 sash with
shutters. Behind the original main house there is a contemporary addition of recent construction.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local(or state)history. Include uses of the building, and the role(s)the
owners/occupants played within the community.
The earliest known owner of this house is J. McNamara who is shown as the owner on the 1898 map. John McNamara is listed
here in the 1899 directory. By 1906 Dennis McNamara Jr. was living here with his wife Katherine. Like his father before him,
McNamara was a stone mason. The McNamaras were still in residence in 1910.
By 1920 the house(then 639 Mass. Ave.)was occupied by John Walsh, also a stone mason. In 1930 his widow Mary was
living here with a stepdaughter and several boarders. Later owners included Frank&Mary Rycroft, Ralph&Ellen Hall,
Royston&Lillian Daley and Clifford&Lillian Shaw. The present owners, Leon&Beverly Shank,have owned the property
since 1989.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
1898, 1906 maps
Middlesex South Registry of Deeds, Cambridge,Mass.
Town Directories
U.S. Census,various years.
Continuation sheet 1
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET LEXINGTON 2243 MASS. AVENUE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD,BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
1603
X
Y �
Y
Continuation sheet 2