BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
FORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 "Photo (3"x 3" or 3"x5", black and white) Indicate address of property on back of photo. Staple to left side of form. 1535 AUG 2 1 1989 AREA FORM NO. 55 NATICNAL REGISTER Town Address WALTHAM, MA MRA Waltham, Massachusetts 163-165 R 153-155 iver R iver Street Street Historic Name Boston Manufacturing Company Housing Use Present Double residence Original Double residence DESCRIPTION Date c. 1870 Source deed research Style Mansard Architect unknown Exterior Wall Fabric - brick garage s-NC Sketch Map: Draw map showing property's location in relation to nearest cross streets and/or geographical features. Indicate all buildings between inventoried property and nearest intersection(s).
Indicate north UTM REFERENCE 19/317030 4693060 USGS QUADRANGLE NEIVTON SCALE 1:25,000 Major Alterations (with dates) slate shingles removed from #153-155--c1970s? Condition good Moved Acreage Setting no Datem/a 71-1-17 33,649 sq.ft.0.8A 70-11-6 Situated on ample, hedge -bordered lots in area of primarily wood-frame, late 19th c. worker's houses. all altered Recorded by Edward W. Gordon Organization Waltham Hist. Comn. Date June. 1986 revised by C. Jenkins 3/88 NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable) 163-165, 153 and 155 River Street are two significant examples of the boston Manufacturing Company's most substantial worker housing. They are the only examples of B.M.C. masonry housing. In general, these houses represent an unusually stylish (for late 19th eastern Massachusetts worker's housing) foray into the Mansard style.
This pair of houses possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and associations. They meet criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community. These double workers houses are unique among Walthan workers housing by virtue of their relatively substantial size, brick materials and stylish Mansard roofs. These houses stand in marked contrast to the 4 heavily altered , early 1870's, wood-framed B.M.C. worker's houses located directly behind these properties. Essentially I-shaped in plan, the houses' main 4-bay x 2-bay main blocks are crowned by straight sided Mansard roofs. #163-165 retains its original slates.
Symmetrical four bay facades display narrow, paired entries with transoms, and windows with 2/2 sash; all are headed by stilted_segmental raised brick arches. Narrow brickwork string courses appear beneath two and just above the third floor windows. The Mansard windows feature 4 dormers on the main and rear facade, and 2 dormers per side wall. These dormers are topped by projecting arched lintels. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community. #153-155, 163-165 River Street were build ca.1870. Judging by their size, style and masonry materials, these double-houses were built for upper echelon Boston Manufacturing Company employees. In general, B.M.C. housing Is moderately-scaled and constructed of wood.
The land of these properties was a large parcel sold to BMC by Isaac Parker, May 9, 1873 (see Middlesex Deeds 1259:408). The construction of these double houses and the c.1870's wood frame workers cottages to the rear mirror on a domestic scale the expansion of the BMC factory between Moody and Elm Streets during the 1870's and 1880's. Founded in 1813, the B.M.C."integrated and mechanized production from raw material to finished product under a single management, and within a single factory. This textile mill's 19th century prosperity was the primary force behind the development of the area between the east side of the Waltham's common and the Watertown line. By 1901, the Boston Manufacturing Company had sold these houses (part of a much larger, multi-lot package) to Boston real estate magnate Saimen Sirk. Sirk, in turn, sold these properties to the Waltham Bleachery in Decenber, 1906.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Maps/Atlases: 1854, 1874, 1881, 1886, 1900, 1911 McQuiston, Janes W., "The Waltham Bleachery and Dye Works" , date unknown, Waltham Public Library archives Middlesex County deeds- 2889:421, 3271:353 8/85 - (PS FO 10-000a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number . Page OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 AUG 2 / 1989 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Waltham MRA Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review Date/Signature 11. Boston Manufacturing Company Housing (153--165 River St.) intered in the Chomel, Recist Entered in the 12. Brigham House jatilanad Registor LeeperZhlusAgu Attest 4/26/4 LKeeper Aulußigu 9/28/89 Attest 13. Building at 202--204 Charles Street . Keeper -ilteled National Register Attest /Keeper Hlmußzun 9/28/89 14.
Buttrick, Francis, Housentered in the National Register HelouBgu 9/28/09 Attest 15. Buttrick, Francis, Library Substaative Rev Sinkeeper Betty-Sange 9/28/89 Attest 16. Byam, Charles, Housentered in tha Mationad Rogiator /Keeper AubnerByun 122/89 Attest 17. Central Square Historic District Entered in the National Register /Keeper AuloeeBgers 9/28/89 18. Charles Street Workers' Housing Historic District ntered in tha Eutioted Rest SUP 19. Christ Episcopal Church 20. Clough, Benjamin F., House Attest Lteeper AhemeBye 9/25/89 Attest Substantive Review Soriceper porif Sunge vraleg Attest fKeeper Temsußgu 9/25/59 rod 10 tho wd Roginton Attest UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Boston Manufacturing Company Housing NAME: 153-165- RIvEn ST.
MULTIPLE Waltham MRA NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 8/21/89 9/21/89 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 9/05/89 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 10/05/89 REFERENCE NUMBER: 89001535 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N OTHER: N PDIL: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N N PERIOD: N N SLR DRAFT: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: NATIONAL: N N N COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT 9/28/89 DATE Entered in the National Registen ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N CLASSIFICATION count _resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION FUNCTION historic _current DESCRIPTION architectural classification materials descriptive text SIGNIFICANCE Period Areas of Significance--Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other BIBLIOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHICAL DATA acreage UTMS verbal boundary description boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION _sketch maps _USGS maps photographs OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone Signed Date presentation Bestos.
TiNy Cempa Rue st- 153-155 mo $,555-Kes Hondy. walthams MA- MNA /"1 67g7 -30-32 V2 98 5 ST. 89 78.46 6 98-273 18.56 SCHOOL 173 (s) 32 (187.54(d), 4 S60/3 2305(Pxar) 31. 178-177- +88-176 -85.15 14 20, -/ M2 :90.75 15SS T 4 3°(PRIVATE) 55 07 STO 55.55 584 2 79(g) 99.97 0 14314 SARKERS LAS 2 3062 -3 100.54 74.53 180 5 02 140 60 _SCHOOL? 13999 6 123.54 S7I8 7 14018 75 SAYE 62.82 68 63 9 123.54 5/ 5JPRIVATE) 6088 130 13 72(s) 8010 8. 10 96. 76. ^ 7228 1 PARKERS LA TS.TA 188.3 7 6200 69.39 74.53 +75,+73- 5.6.00 98-1029 783 120.93 15 -9245T .36 85 N3 101.83/ M4 189 :50.25 P/O 71 - 7-1 : 150 16 2 12048 1273X 7247 053.15 Res 20 150 385 1165 160W WIL 90 142.i4 .-.7. 193 194-196 72:55 8g 127.30 205 17 100 -- SI-.. 86/3 175 (s) 9E.! 20 2-85- 21.26 18 -5.5/ 110.53 2364 10s58:E25E 80.78 9919 S3 199.49 123-121-119- WALTHAM, MA MRA Boston Manufacturing Co.
Housing 153-55, 163-65 River Street #55 1" = 100' 1975; updated to 1987 Waltham Engineering Dept. lot #71-1-17, 70-11-6 16 100 15 100 2> -92 14 77.46 80 (oý 3925 26. 100 10003 13 SUTA -175.- 167 -165 48(s) -170- 59.75 3 6909 63 16g 14997 ST. 114.07 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000301