HomeMy WebLinkAboutsomerset-road_0024 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
56/111 Boston N. 1122,1123
Massachusetts Historical Commission
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Town Lexington
Place (neighborhood or village) Upper Meriam Hill
Address 24 Somerset Road
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Historic Name Fred and Fannie Woodruff House
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" a Uses: Present Residential
MEOW Original Residential
Date of Construction 1912-1913
i Source Lexington Valuation Lists
Style/Form Craftsman
Architect/Builder unknown
Exterior Material:
Foundation rubble
Wall/Trim stucco/wood
le
Roof asphalt shin
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E6' Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
�FR�K� e historic garage(MHC #1123)
i l 2. 260—.
Major Alterations (with dates) date? -rear addition
270
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:,7s
7 9 J Condition good
SOMERSET
2 - '�Ao Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
�•t r„ Acreage 29,630 SF
Recorded by Lisa Mausolf Setting early 20th century residential neighborhood
Organization Lexington Historical Commission
Date (month/year) May 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (24 Somerset Road)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
The Woodruff House (MHC#1122)is a 2 1/2-story, stuccoed dwelling which is set above a rubble foundation and capped
by an asphalt-shingled hip roof with overhanging eaves adorned by exposed rafters. A wooden band separates the first and
second stories. Adding interest to the hip-roofed mass,part of the second floor projects about two feet from the remaining
wall, capped by a separate hip roof The overhang is embellished by wooden brackets, which are paired at the ends of the
projection and above either end of the entrance which is centered below. The six-panel front door is flanked by partial leaded
sidelights in a geometric design. Recessed panel pilasters are set atop stuccoed sidewalls. On either side of the door but at
varying distances from the door is an individual 6/1 window. The second floor overhanging section is punctuated by a single
6/1 and a paired 6/1 window which extend to the eaves. The hip dormer above has a smaller pair of 6/1 windows. The
remainder of the facade is two bays wide with individual 6/1 windows and a hipped dormer above; additional dormers rise
from the side slopes. The south end of the house is fronted by a single-story screened porch with square posts and brackets.
Set on the roof of the porch is a smaller, second story,glazed sunporch. Fenestration on the north end of the house includes
an arched central window, I/1 and 6/1 sash. A clapboarded addition extends behind the original house.
To the north of the house is a stuccoed, hip-roofed garage(MHC#1123) set above a wood-shingled base. Facing the road
arydouble wooden doors with 4 x 3-lights over two lower recessed horizontal panels filled with diagonal board. The
remaining fenestration consists of 6/1 windows.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Describe 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. (�'e� to0 MeA AkO Y�- M 0 e
f� 3eff)
This land was originally part of the 400-acre Francis B. Hayes estate which extended from Adams andi-ancock Streets to
Woburn Street(the house known as Oakmount or The Castle was built in 1884 and demolished in 1941). This portion of the
Hayes estate was laid out in houselots in 1909.
The earliest assessment found for this property indicates that in 1913 Fannie Woodruff was assessed for a house valued at
$7,000, located on lot 37 of the Hayes subdivision measuring 29,630 square feet. The property remained in the Woodruff
family until the 1940s. Later owners included Henry and Helen Letoile(c.1950 - 1960)and Russell and Vivian Wolfe(1960-
1987). The present owners purchased the house in 1987.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Lexington Assessors Records.
L4xington Directories, various dates.
xington Valuation Lists, various dates.
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attached a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form.
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
Lexington 24 Somerset Road
Massachusetts Historical Commission Area(s) Form No.
Massachusetts Archives Building
220 Morrissey Boulevard 1122,1123
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
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