HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_2318 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
50/70 Boston N. 1095
Town Lexington
Place (neighborhood or village)
Address 2318 Massachusetts Avenue
Historic Name Christopher Caldwell House
Uses: Present Residential
Original Residential
b - �
Date of Construction c.1852
Source visual inspection, maps, Lex. Val. List
Style/Form Italianate
1 i
Architect/Builder unknown
Exterior Material:
IFoundation brick
1__ —-- Wall/Trim wood shingle
' Roof asphalt shingle
I
ti i �� Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
,og garage
/r
I
Major Alterations (with dates) early 20th c. -front porch,
�1 1983 -damage by fire; 1984 -rear addition
w'Sycj
s �
Condition good
Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
Acreage 15,500 SF
Recorded by Lisa Mausolf Setting mixed residential on busy main road
Organization Lexington Historical Commission
Date (month/year) April 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (2318 Mass. Ave.)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
Located at the southeast corner of Mass. Ave. and Nickerson Road, 2318 Mass. Ave. is a 2 1/2-story, 3 x 2-bay dwelling
which is sheathed in wood shingles and set on a brick foundation. The asphalt-shingled roof displays projecting eaves which
end in returns on the side gables. A brick chimney rises from the east ridge with another brick chimney rising along the west
elevation.
The facade is fronted by a full-width, hipped roof, single-story porch which dates to the early 20th century. It is supported by
paired Roman Doric columns with sets of three columns at the corners, echoed by single pilasters against the house. The
porch displays a concrete floor and stairs above a mortared stone base. The center entrance consists of a six-panel door with
partial (2 x 4-light) sidelights set above raised panels. Most of the windows contain 6/6 sash with molded surrounds,metal
storms and louvered shutters. On the west side of the house some of the original 6/6 windows have been replaced by modern_
6/6 and 2/2 units. At the rear of the house is a shed-roofed, single story addition constructed in 1984. It is punctuated by a
modern bay window and sliders.
A paved driveway extends along the east side of the house,terminating at a two-car garage. The clapboarded building rests
on a concrete foundation and is capped by a hip roof with ventilator. Two overhead garage doors face Mass. Ave. A brick
walk leads to the front door. A row of arborvitae marks the Nickerson Road streetline.
1
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Desribe 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.
This house does not appear on the 1852 map but appears on the 1853 map as being owned by C. Colwell (sp?). Assessors'
records indicate that Christopher Caldwell came to Lexington from Cambridge. In 1862 Caldwell was assessed for a house
valued at$800, a barn valued at$300,two outbuildings and seven acres of the land. Caldwell is also shown as the owner of
the property on the 1875 map.
By 1894 the property was owned by Barney McCaffery, a laborer, who is also shown as the owner on the 1906 map. After
his death in 1908 the house was owned for several years by his wife. By 1913 the property was owned by Bartholomew
Connors,who worked as a freight clerk for the railroad. Later directories list him as a farmer. Members of the Connors
family continued to own the property into the 1940s.
Nickerson Road was laid out in the 1970s. The present owners purchased the property in 1981. The building was damaged
by fire in 1983 and the rear addition was constructed the following year.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Lexington Assessors Records.
Lexington Directories, various dates.
Lexington Valuation Lists, various dates.
182, 1853, 1875, 1906 maps.
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attached a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form.