BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
1552 AREA FORM NO- 58 AUG 2 1 1989 FORM B - BUILDING NATIONAL MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSIONDECISTER 80 BOYLSTON STREET Town BOSTON, MA 02116 WALTHAM, MA MRA Waltham, Massachusetts 176 Main Street Address Robert M. Stark Historic Name House Photo (3"x 3" or 3"x5", black and white) Indicate address of property on back of photo. Staple to left side of form. Use Present private residence private residence Original DESCRIPTION ca. 1890 Date deed research Source Queen Anne Style George E. Strout Architect Exterior Wall Fabric Outbuildings _garage- NC clapboards 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 Major Alterations (with dates) ca.
1950's replacement porch Condition 8ood UTM REFERENCE 19/317530/4693700 USGS QUADRANGLELEXINGTON SCALE :25,000 Moved no Acreage - Date =n/a 0.24 A- 10,350 sg. ft. 62-18- Prominently sited on ample : Setting corner lot, serves as "gate way" house to late 19th/early 20th c. residential area Recorded by Edward W. Gordon Organization Waltham Hist. Comm. Date June, 1986 revised by C. Jenkins 3/88 NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable) The Robert M. Stark House possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, work- manship, feeling and associations. It is a significant representative of Main Street's de- velopment (at the eastern and western ends) as a fashionable residential area in the second half of the 19th century.
Its greatest significance however, lies in the quality of its Queen Anne style design, and the fact that it is the only one of several similiar dwellings to be documented as a work of local architect George E. Strout. The Stark House meets 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. #176 Main Street is an outstanding example of Queen Anne domestic architecture. This house, with the exception of its porches, is essentially intact, retaining its clapboards, patterned shingles, and above all, its distinctive form. Particularly noteworthy is its corner, conically-capped tower, which is sheathed with sawtooth shingles and exhibits well-carved friezes composedof rosettesand curvingleaf forms.
The tower's third level features a loggia with turned posts and arches. The conical roof retains its shingles and copper finial. Oval windows on the east side, adjacent to the tower, are set within raised "picture-frame-like "enframements. The east wall also exhibits an octagonal bay on the first floor, which is surmounted by a bracketed overhanging oriel. The oriel is surmounted by a pedimented attic. A similarly rendered pedimented attic appears on the Main Street facade. The central HISTORICALOSIGNtFiCANE isxencaosed be a hip-roof. Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community. : #176 Main Street provides a glimpse of the home of a well-to-do, late 19th century Waltham lawyer. It was designed by Waltham-based architect, George E. Strout, ca. 1890. Mr. Strout was active in Waltham building trades from c.
late 1890's thru 1910's. George Bacon notes in Representative Businessmen of Waltham that "George E. Strout is not only an architect, but is known also a carpenter, contractor and jobber, he has had long and varied practical experience", he was not only engaged in the erection of new buildings, but was also involved in "repairing, refitting or remodeling of old ones" - #176 Main Street is the only house in Waltham that has been linked directly to Strout - surely, others exist in the city, and probably include 149-149 Weston Street and 428 Lexington Street, as will as Queen Anne houses on Crescent Street, South Side, Waltham. In 1875, #176 Main Street's lot was part of a 31 parcel subdivision along Lafayette and Willow Streets, owned by J. Rutter, Q. Farnsworth, and J.S. Williams. By 1886, this lot was part of Francis Butterick's real estate empire.
Butterick had purchased this lot from John S. Williams on April 1, 1884 (Middlesex 1661:405). He sold it to Cyrus L. and Eliza Carter on August 9, 1889 (cont) BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Maps/Atlases -1854, 1874, 1881, 1893, 1886, 1898, 1890 Waltham Directories, 1800's - 1910's Bacon, George, Representative Businessmen of Waltham", 1893, p. 65 Middlesex Deeds - 1924:437, 1996:121 Waltham Public Library files, "Waltham Souvenir", 1905, p.43 8/85 Attorney and Counsellor ROOM E, 621 MAIN STREET, WALTHAN. 42 and 44 Court Street, Room 24 Boston. NOTARY PUBLIC. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE WALTHAM, MA MKA Robert M. Stark House HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, 176 Main Street, continued - on that same day the Carters sold it to William H. and Anne E. Johnson. The Johnson's, in turn, sold it to Robert M. Stark, on August 30, 1890.
Most likely Stark built the house after acquiring the property from the Johnsons. He is listed at this address in early 1890's directories. Robert M. Stark was evidently a successful attorney - judging by the substantial size and rich surface treatments of this house. His law office was located in the Central Block, Main Street, Waltham. Mr. Stark owned this home until at least the 1910's. Robert M. Stark began a law practice in Waltham in 1879. He was born in Waltham on June 13, 1855. He was educated in the public schools and the Chauncy Hall School of Boston. He graduated from the law department of Boston University in 1878. He gained experience in the law office of ex-attorney General Charles R. Train. Mr. Stark was elected City Solicitor in 1903. served on the school board for one year and was the License Commissioner for two He was a member of the Masons and Elks.
It was noted in the Waltham Souvenir of 1905 that "Mr. Stark is one of the largest individual taxpayers in the city and resides in an elegant residence on lower Main Street" (meaning 176 Main Street)! See forms # 41, 32, 121, 150, 173 REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS MEN OF WALTHAN. -1893 65 Geo. E. Strout, Acclitet. Office: Room 16, Bank Bailding, 176 M2In Waltham, - Mass. One of the most prominent capitalists in this country - a man who has beon verg extensivelt en- carrd in buikding operat ons for mans rears - is reported to have said during a rrcent interrien : - When building, bave vour plans drawn up br one who is not only able to makr protty drawings, has had some prastiral experience carrying them out, and if possible. havethe making uf raus done by Ollt -ho knows how to do the building, for in that case the architect can in no way be deceed by the!
Tis not onlt possible bit cast for residents of Waltham vicinity to bave building plans made br one who is thoroughlr conversant with the manner they should lx carrd out. Do dr. Grorge E. Strout is not only an architret. but also as a carpenter, contractor and ioblur. practical esperience, bence we necd hardly to ay that he is propared to give valmable information to those who mar ronsuit him in roference to the blans for the prection of new buildings or the repairing. retitting or remodeling of old ones. Mis ofice is in the Pank Building, roon: 16. - (PS Fomm 10.800a United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page - OMBApprovalNo. 1024-0018 AUG 2 | 1989 . Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Waltham MRA Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review Date/Signature SuR 81.
St. Mary's Roman Catholie Church Complex fol Keeper_ Substantiva Review Attest Bett sune 1/20181 82. Stanley, Leonard W., Hougetered in the National Register AeloresBgen 9p8/84 83. Stark Building Entered in the Natiunal Register 84. Stark, Robert M., House Entered in the Natlonal Regiater /keeper Attest AKeeper AlloresByun 9/2464 Attest Keeper Aeloeabgen 9/20/84 Attest 85. Stearns, Amos, House Intered 1n tha Mationai Register /Reeper ( Deloseeryen 9/25/84 86. Stewart, Henry, House 87. Swasey, James, House Entered ia tha National Reriater Attest Entered in the Satona 1Raeiotos f keeper Aeloußgen 9/25/84 Attest 5Keeper - Neloreßye 9/2069 88. Iyler, Frank J., House Entered in the National Register 89. United States Watch Company intered 1n tha dational Reglater 90.
Waltham Gas Light Company Entered ix the National Register Attest fraoper Delou Bgen 1/ Attest fseoperdelruBgu 2/2089 Attest faopor_AeluuesByen 2/2s8 Attest_ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACE EVALUATION/RETURN SHEE!
REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Stark, Robert M., House NAME: MULTIPLE Waltham MRA NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: 8/21/89 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 9/21/89 ATE OF PENDING LIST: 9/05/8: ATE OF 45TH DAY: 10/05/89 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 89001552 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: OHER N PDTA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N TESS THAN 50 VEARS: N PDIL: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: COMMENT WAIVER: N LACCEPT _RETURN ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: REJECT 9/28/89 DATE Entered in the National Begister RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments X/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 presentation OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone Signed Date Rubet Stulltouse 178 Macn st, MItc #58 waltham, MA.
MRA Rekelt stanktouse ille Macust ute # 58 waltlam.MA MKA + Cu 9 90 ZVIS nic 10- 2 8 110 110 ~ 75 llo ELLERY 8 F3142 10L -100 100~ 73 80 CHAF! 80 29-118 WALTHAM, MA MRA Robert M. Stark House #58 176 Main Street 1" = 100' 1975; updated to 1987 Waltham Engineering Dept. lot #62-18-1 01.39 92125 83 75.08 9 72 " 75 2 110 605 31.22 89.- 15./ 10 10 75 3 17 100 67.6.3 30.08 82.42 95- RD -0c 75.05 10+- 75.06 POOL 12 -32 75 8 122. 75 5 69 125 21 75.01 75 23 75.01 66.73 61.02 1782 2 39 39 3 100./ 4 150 53.73 294 10%- 75.08 13 125.63 92 5g. 12316 2 140.02 ERB /13 10 CANT 14429 IR 12 126.17 57.65 POUL 86 79 //3 83.4 H-9 4 68:27. 3796 15 &,, 10 96.02 -124 80.03 2 Jais 100 1870 8.54 98.5 1A 118 Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston 254.78 75 177 N 50 345 13g 50 346 50 3069 132.28 4B.93 4086 /00 3015 3016 18-19 7 TERR.
91.84 49.4l 97.8 60.08 35/8 4203 ELMHURST 44,99 6 90.98 126.7 8567 83.22 100.22 -20 83 15 106.97 136 76 76.93 3 1516 62. 41 co 22 74.69 -2.010- '90 43 4932 32 44 735 43 17693 $555 17823 795> 160 55 45/ 65.02 $2.88 Eu 06 19 75.01 85.01 18c 63 ST. 1eg 06 46 -o, 47 146.59 Sz8e 1386 2 17 16 Boman Catholic Archbishop of Boston St. Judes R.C: Church 218.25 BOWK- 80 -+75 76> 1a* 6/,82g 2 180 20.22 46 76.g 167 ll2 -158 70.82 119.82 i47 -152 120 ~ - 3 A 76.19 138 29-175 79 29 195 08.13 0350 20-P1 228/4 100 1615 12 02 =5 A 14.820 4 7017 7000 1970 Atlas, City of waltham Compiled by the waltham Engineering Division Scale: 1inch = 140 feet 8955 I58 09L2 R RD. MAIN 152 9000 B060 1562/ 12945 58 TVNOTO LI - 89511 +12L 0086 9209/ W ST.
138 9000 1728 12 A 49 130 *1L 31 wältham, Massachusets MRA 176 Maih street Robert Stark House 10-A-5 MIC#58 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000301