HomeMy WebLinkAboutoakland-street_0027 FORM B - BUILDING Area Form no.
H 378
NLASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL CONNISSION
Lexington
27 Oakland Street
j r T 'ic Name Charlotte E. Smith House
-- -'s' )riginal Residence
1
Mai
'resent Residence
-- ;hip:M Private individual
Private organization
Public
)riginal owner
•
Draw map showing property's DESCRIPTION:
location in relation to nearest
cross streets and other buildings Date 1895
or geographical features.
Indicate north. Source Lexington Minute Dan, Nov. 23. 1894
G
Style Colonial Revival.
N '9n
Xo Architect
`r
b Black blinds - clapboard
Exterior wall fabric board P
-- dull yellow
Outbuildings garage
�- Major alterations (with dates)
N
Z reshingled 1973
At J
V
O
Moved Date
Approx. acreage •7 (30009' )
J. Webber Meriam Hill; residential street
Recorded by AudreN R, Mnr'C'.arp�z. Anna C rads. Setting
Organization Lexington Historical Comm. of substantial late nineteenth century
Date 4-16-1976; .arch, 1984 houses.
(Staple additional sheets here)
s
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (describe important architectural features and
evaluate in terms of other buildings within community)
Center front flat portico. w/balustrade & Ionic pillars. Front door w/half side
lights - 1 window either side & 2nd floor with double center window up.
Hip roof w/2 pointed top dormers & balustrade on high flattened top,
2 balancing chimney at ridge. One dormer each side of roof. Rear 3 sided
bay right side. Flat columns sides of house & dentiled cornice. Left side
cellar adjunct.
This substantial Colonial Revival house is one of the few residences on
meriam Hill to be fairly formal and symmetrical. A noteworthy feature of the
design is the gentle bowing of the wall on the second level above the entrance
portico.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANICE (explain the role owners played in local or state history
and how the building relates to the development of the community)
This lot and the lot at 29 Oakland Street were purchased together by
Eben Rhoades Ferguson of Charlestown in 1894. The newnaper announced that he
intended to put up two houses and that they cost c. $6,000 apiece. This house
was constructed for his mother-in-law Charlotte Elizabeth Smith.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington, revised and continued to
1912 by the Lexington Historical Society, Volume II, P. 652. Boston:
Houghton 14ifflin Company, 1913.
Lexington Minute Man, November 30, 1894, August 11, 1895, August 31, 1895
1889 atlas
1906 atlas
1899 Directory 20M-2/80
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town . Property Address
LEXINGTON 27 OAKLAND ST.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING 378
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
As indicated in the previous inventory form,this house and its neighbor at 29 Oakland Street were both constructed in
1895. On August 2, 1895 the Lexington Minute-man included the following description of the construction of the two
houses and the development of this part of Oakland Street:
During the late spring the extension of upper Oakland street was opened up,which carries the street over the
summit of the hill to its limit which is reached at the extensive grounds of the Hayes estate. As yet the street is in
a rough state but in time will be graded and will make a beautiful street and the house lots now to be had will be
quickly snatched up by parties seeking a desirable building site on which to locate a new house . There are
already in the process of construction two houses worth from five to six thousand dollars each. These houses are
located on the right side of the street adjoining each other and will be completed about the same time. The first
one is being building for Mrs. Charlotte E. Smith, of Charlestown, and the second for Mrs.Mary W. Ferguson of
the same place. They are of the large, square style of architecture with large entrance halls in the middle of the
front with rooms either side,with the plain surface broken by bays and ornamental windows. The frames are
about completed and ready for the interior finish.
According to Census records, in 1910 Mrs. Smith, age 61,resided here with her three daughters,two boarders and a
servant. She was still living here in 1915 but by 1918 ownership had transferred to her daughter,Miss Charlotte Smith.
By 1922 the property was owned and occupied by Edward and Helen Sargent,their three sons and a maid. The Sargents
were still in residence in 1942.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lexington Directories,various dates.
Lexington Minute-Man,August 2, 1895.
Middlesex County Register of Deeds, Cambridge,Mass.
U.S. Census Records, 1900-1930.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
June 2009