HomeMy WebLinkAboutoakland-street_0004 FORM B - BUILDING Area Form no.
H Thr
`LASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Lexington
ss 4 Oakland St.
_ ric Name G.H. Emery House
- _ = Original residence
WII
- Present residence
__-
ship:j Private individual
Am
Private organization
MOM
s =- _ -- Public
_ - -
Kona
Original owner
N Draw map showing property's DESCRIPTION:
_ location in relation to nearest � , (
cross streets and other buildings Date `"�'
or geographical features. p
Indicate north. Source il/ ;14U�e—nlign Juw- (0 9
Style Queen Anne
Architect
Exterior wall fabric white wood claj2boards
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Outbuildings
O Major alterations (with dates)
O,V
k4
�ti O
� Moved Date
Approx. acreage .2 (1061011
Recorded by Lienry V_ Tatipg; Anne Grady Setting At the foot of Meriam Hill; resi-
Organization L,xington Hicrnriral Cagim dential street developed primarily in the
Date 6/24/SQ; March, J,984 late nineteenth century; iierriam's factory
is across the street.
(Staple additional sheets here)
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (describe important architectural features and
evaluate in terms of other buildings within community)
Basic rectangle w/irregularities. . Cross gable.
Front left corner cut out, long console bracket under eave. Many window
types including stained glass . Front door w/classical surround (columns, entablature)
& stained glass side light. 3/4 width front porch. Carved fan ornament over
end-gable windows.
(See Continuation Sheet)
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (explain the role owners played in local or state history
and how the building relates to the development of the community)
It is interesting to speculate as to what made George Emery and his
neighbor at 2 Oakland Street, Matthew Merriam, move from more substantial
houses elsewhere on Meriam Hill. Emery had built a fine house on the corner
of Meriam Street and Stetson Street 10 years earlier. Were they friends?
Their yards were graded together. Emery, an accountant in Boston who first
moved to Lexington in 1871, was one of the first to inhabit Meriam Hill when
lots were being sold off primarily to wealthy commuters.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Lexington Minute Man, December 1, 1893, June 15, 1894, October 19, 1894
1889 atlas
1906 atlas
1887 Directory
1894 Directory
20M-2/80
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community: Form No:
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL CC ISSION Lexington 368
Office of the Secretary, Boston
Property Name: 4 Oakland Street
Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Typical of late nineteenth century development of bMeriam Hill, this
house has a number of Queen Anne decorative features: many window types, some
with stained glass; elliptical fan ornament with T-shaped molded keystone over
the window in each end gable; three-sided bay window under the porch with fan-
light and wooden tracery; and curious doorway with attenuated Ionic columns
entablature and sidelight only on the left. The front left corner of the
building is cut out and the overhanging eave is supported by a long console
bracket. An identical bracket embellishes the house to the left which was
built at the same time. This bracket and the unusual T-shaped ornament which
has been found elsewhere in Lexington (at the house on the northeast corner of
Percy Road and Highland Avenue) may have been available at •uzzey's Lumber
Company.
Staple to Inventory form at bottom
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 4 OAKLAND ST.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 368
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
On December 1, 1893 the Lexington Minute-man reported that"A new house is to be put up on Oakland street. It is to be
built for Mr. Geo. H.Emery, for his own occupancy". Construction took place that spring and on June 15, 1894,the
paper noted that"The new house recently completed for Mr. Geo. H. Emery, at the foot of Oakland street, is an
acquisition to the locality and decidedly pleasing in its modest style of architecture". Born in Maine in 1834, George
Emery came to Lexington in 1871. He worked as a bookkeeper in Boston and lived here with his wife Georgianna.
George was still living here in 1922 when he would have been approximately 89 years old. By 1926 the house was
occupied by Mrs. H. Herbert Collins. Mrs. Collins was still here in 1942.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lexington Directories,various dates.
Lexington Minute-Man,December 1, 1893,June 15, 1894, Oct. 19, 1894.
Sanborn Insurance Maps,Lexington,various dates.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
June 2009