HomeMy WebLinkAboutsomerset-road_0042 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
56/113 Boston N. 1130
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Town Lexington
Place (neighborhood or village) Upper Meriam Hill
' Address 42 Somerset Road
, ria
> ' Historic Name George and Marjorie Emery House
��- Uses: Present Residential
Original Residential
4 =" Date of Construction 1923
Source Lexington Valuation Lists
701 -
_ Style/Form Colonial Revival
Ir_._
Architect/Builder unknown
Exterior Material:
r
X41 Foundation brick
a Wall/Trim brick
L 671 600 E 67A 00 - - Roof asphalt shingle
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
.60 none
260
i f �
270 Major Alterations (with dates) 1988-open porch on north
,,, side, rear addition and built-in garage
I)9!
/
SOME Er
2 = 40b Condition good
r z°: Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
' Acreage 16,750 SF
- N
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 (42 Somerset Road)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
The house at 42 Somerset Road is a simple example of early 20th century Colonial Revival architecture. The 2 1/2-story, 3 x
2-bay, side-gabled building is constructed of multi-toned brick laid in a stretcher bond with a course of soldier brick acting as
a watertable. The building is capped by an asphalt-shingled roof,the close side eaves end in shallow returns. The center
entrance contains a six-panel door with a surround consisting of fluted pilasters supporting a broken pediment with
moldillions. The blocks atop the pilasters are decorated by dentils. On either side of the entrance is a tripartite window
consisting of a 6/6 sash flanked by two 4/4 windows and louvered shutters. The windows have brick sills and flat arch brick
lintels. On the second floor of the facade there is a 6/6 window over the entrance and a 8/8 window on either side. The tops
of the upper story windows extend directly to the cornice without lintels. There are two clapboarded gable dormers on the
front roof slope.
On the south elevation of the building is a hip-roofed, single story sun porch lit by casement windows. The north side is
fronted by a gabled open porch with wrought iron supports, constructed in 1988. The clapboarded rear addition and built-in
garage also date to 1988.
ISTORICAL NARRATIVE
TD scribe the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building and
the roles) the owners/occupants played within the community. (see (00 vV1 I aWl
Ma}C 3p
This land was originally part of the 400-acre Francis B. Hayes estate which extended from Adams and cock treets 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.
This house was constructed about 1923 for George and Marjorie Emery. Assessors records indicate that in 1923 the 25-year
old Emery lived at 18 Hancock Street. In 1924 George W. Emery was assessed for a house valued at$9,000 on a 16,750 SF
lot on Somerset Road. Dir;ctories indicate that George Emery worked as a cotton importer.
The Emerys continued to own the Somerset Road property until about 1940. Later owners included Allen and Elise Rucker
(c.1940-1953)and Wilbur and Virginia Jaquith(1953-1986). The present owners purchased the house in 1986.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Lexington Assessors Records.
Lexington Directories, various dates.
Lexington 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.