HomeMy WebLinkAboutsomerset-road_0037 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
56/100 Boston N. 1124
Town Lexington
f
Place (neighborhood or village) Upper Meriam Hill
Address 37 Somerset Road
Historic Name
I
IUses: Present Residential
_! Original Residential
Date of Construction 1910?
,,.F Source Lexington Assessors
Style/Form Colonial Revival/Craftsman
i Architect/Builder unknown
alt
>: Willard Brown?
Exterior Material
Foundation stone
Wall/Trim stucco/wood
R
\kIVRo4 Roof asphalt shingle
i 260 Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
—'� garage
270
Major Alterations (with dates)
SOMERSE_T
l •1 �� ? -� ��R040 \
Condition good
\ Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
Acreage 23,373 SF
Recorded by Lisa Mausolf Setting early 20th century residential neighborhood
Organization Lexington Historical Commission
Date (monthlyear) May 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (37 Somerset Road)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
An eclectic early 20th century residence, 37 Somerset Road is a two-story,three bay-wide, stuccoed building capped by a
complex hip roof with exposed rafters and two hip dormers on the front roof slope. A wooden band wraps around the
building between the first and second stories. Centered on the three-bay facade is a glass and panel door with iron grillwork
over the window. The entrance is flanked by a pair of fluted pilasters, each of which is topped by a swag. Mounted on the
segmental arched cap is an iron lamp suspended from an iron arch. To the east of the entrance is a three-sided bay window
filled with multi-panes and capped by flared copper roof. On the other side of the doorway,the first floor is recessed slightly
and contains an 8/1 window. Adjacent to the entrance is an urn set atop a stuccoed pedestal.
The east elevation is spanned by a single-story, stuccoed, screened porch topped by corner urns. The porch is topped by a
slightly smaller enclosure sheathed in vertical recessed panels. The west side of the house is fronted by a single-story
sunporch capped by a paneled balustrade.
The house is setback from the street and a brick walk leads to the front door. A driveway extends to the east of the house.
Several large tree shades the front yard.
The eclectic nature of this residence suggests that it may have been designed by Lexington architect Willard Brown although
thiskould not be confirmed.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Describe the history of the building. Explain its associations with local(or xft te) history. Include uses of the buil ing and
the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community. (\ JIE!G &0 ffie.vliarO 9� M rJC�
This land was originally part of the 400-acre Francis B. Hayes estate which extended from Adams and 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 with new lot numbers assigned in 1912.
The earliest assessment found for this house indicates that in 1917 Adelaid Cody owned a house at 37 Somerset valued at
$8,500 as well as a garage valued at$800. The property included 11,320 SF of land. Adelaid's husband, Joseph was
employed as a salesman in Boston. Later owners included Raymond Bond in the 1930s and early 1940s and James and Hilda
Seaver from about 1950 to 1980.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Lexington Assessors Records.
Lexington Directories, various dates.
Le�ington Valuation Lists, various dates.
J Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attached a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form.