Nomination for James, Joseph K., House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

95 NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) 2230B No. 1024-0018 RECEIVED United States Department of the Interior National Park Service JAN | 3 1998 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NAT. REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested.If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions.

Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name Joseph K. James House other names/site number_ 2. Location street& number_ 83 Belmont Street n/a not for Publication city or town_ Somerville N/A vicinity state_Massachusetts _code_MA county Middlesex code_017 _ zip code 02143 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination - request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of HistoricPlaces and meets the proceduraland professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60.

In my opinion, the property &meets - does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that thisproperty be considered significant - nationally statewide locally. (C See continuation sheet for additional comments.) udit s. Midenoua 17 1998 Signature of certifying official/Title Judith B. WcDonough, Executive Director Date Massachusetts Historical Commission, State Historic Preservation Officer State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion,the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. (OSee continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby certify that this property is: Wentered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet.

- determined not eligible for the National Register D removed from the National Register - other (explain): Ppmamt Beal eson Date of Action z/1198 Joseph K. James House Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) x private _ public-local _ public-State _ public-Federal Middlesex, MA County and State Category of Property (Check only one box) X building(s) _ district _ site _ structure _object Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing 1 1 Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A", if property is not partofa multipleproperty listing.) Somerville Multiple Resource Area 6.

Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) DOMESTIC: single dwelling buildings _ sites structures objects 1 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 0 Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) DOMESTIC: multiple dwelling 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Queen Anne/Shingle Style/Colonial Revival - Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundationstone wallswood shingle roof other asphalt Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) NPS Form 10-900- (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Joseph K.

James House Somerville, (Middlesex County) Massachusetts Section number. Page. 7. DESCRIPTION The Joseph K. James house is one of the best preserved examples of a Queen Anne/Shingle Style house in the City of Somerville. Rising from a Brighton stone foundation, the main block has a classic Colonial Revival form of a four-square plan with a steeply pitched hipped roof. On the facade (west) a projecting polygonal corner tower pierces the roof of the main block. A full length porch, supported by clusters of short round columns, contains a pedimented center entrance detailed with an elaborate floral and lion's head design within the pediment. The central bay is characterized by a slightly projecting entrance with a paneled door and an elaborate iron grill over a glass panel, flanked by leaded diamond windows.

At the second story, the central bay has a round headed window flanked by oculus windows with tracery and exaggerated keystones. A turret topped dormer completes the elevation. On the south elevation, the first story contains a modern secondary entrance and polygonal bay window. The slightly flared second story is separated from the first story by a simple string course. The second story contains a set of paired windows to the left of a central window flanked by leaded glass panels. Two pediment-topped dormers complete the elevation. The rear elevation (east) contains a projecting central bay with entrance on the first floor. The fenestration pattern is simple with one-over-one sash windows. A pediment-topped dormer completes the elevation. The south elevation is dominated by the three-story corner turret with octagonal roof with finial.

This elevation is completed with large windows with a stained glass transom on the ground floor flanked by narrow single-sash windows. Original drawings and descriptions of the house describe it as sheathed in "dipped bottle green" shingles, while the roof, which is now covered in asphalt shingles, was clad in weathered wood shingles. The interior of this property has survived relatively intact as an exceptionally well preserved example of a grand Shingle Style residence. The first floor plan has been maintained with a large central hall, parlor, dining room, and sitting room in the polygonal tower.

Architectural features include: original anaglypta wallpaper in the foyer; oak wainscoting in the entrance hall and dining room; original fireplaces with hand-carved mantelpieces, tilework and a cabinet with leaded glass doors built into one mantelpiece; two original light fixtures; and leaded glass and stained glass windows. The property's original carriage house remains on the northeast corner of the lot. Period accounts describe the building as fitted with two stalls, a carriage room, and a harness room. In 1989 the structure was rehabilitated into a residential dwelling. During the renovation, the original doors were replaced with sliding glass doors. As a result of this and other unsympathetic alterations, the carriage house no longer retains integrity and therefore is considered noncontributing. (continued) OMB Approval iNo.

1024-UU10 NPS Form 10-900-8 8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Joseph K. James House Somerville, (Middlesex County) Massachusetts Section number - Page . The property is located on the east side of Belmont Street at the corner of Spring Hill Terrace. The house is oriented to face west with a large tree on the southwest corner of the property and is located on the north slope of Spring Hill. The setting and surrounding neighborhood retains much of its original late 19th century residential character, although many structures on the southern end of Belmont Street were demolished in order to accommodate parking areas for the surrounding institutional uses.

At 8,166 square feet, the property is one of the largest residential lots in the area and is one of the last remaining well-preserved houses of the period on Belmont Street. One street to the east is the Westwood Road National Register Historic District which encompasses Westwood Road and several properties on Benton Road. Developed several years after the James House, the large-scaled single family residences on Westwood Road exhibit similar architectural characteristics of the Shingle Style as found on the James House. Archaeological Description While no prehistoric sites are currently recorded on the property, it is possible that sites are present. Four known sites are recorded in the general area (within one mile), most located to the south and southwest in the vicinity of the Charles,River Basin.

In general, however, the nominated property does not exhibit locational criteria well sdited for most types of prehistoric sites. In particular, the parcel is located over 1,000 feet from the nearest wetlands in an area of dense historic-period development. Given the above information and the small size of the lot (approximately 0.19 acres), a low potential exists for the recovery of significant prehistoric resources. A low potential also exists for the recovery of historic archaeological resources on the property. Little if any historic period landuse has been identified for the property prior to construction of the James House in 1893-1894. All known historic period structures built with the James House are also still extant. Few if any modifications have occurred on the property that would leave signatures in the archaeological record.

Given the above information, a low potential exists for the recovery of significant historic period resources on the property. Sheet refuse patterns may survive from occupational use of the house; however, these resources would be of limited research potential. (end) Joseph K. James House -Name of Property Middlesex, MA County and State 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing.) Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) ARCHITECTURE XA Property is associated with events that have COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. _B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. XC Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. -D Property has yielded,or islikely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) Property is: _A owned by religiousinstitution or used for religious purposes. _ B removed from its original location. _C a birthplace or grave. _ D a cemetery. _E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. _F a commemorative property. Period of Significance 1893-1947 Significant Dates 1893-1894 Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) Cultural Affiliation _G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Architect/Builder Thomas M. James, architect Thomas F. Farrington, builder 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) Previous documentation on file (NPS): Primary location of additional data: _ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 X State Historic Preservation Office CFR 67) has been requested - Other State agency - previously listed in the National Register _ Federal agency _ previously determined eligible by the National Register _ Local government _ University _ designated a National Historic Landmark _ Other _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: Massachusetts Historical Commission _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 e5 10900 4 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 1 Joseph K.

James House Somerville, (Middlesex County) Massachusetts Section number . Page. 8. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Joseph K. James House at 83 Belmont Street possesses integrity of location, setting, design, workmanship, materials, feeling, and association and meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places at the local level. The Joseph K. James House fulfills criterion A for its association with the development of substantial residences for prosperous businessmen in the Spring Hill area of the City of Somerville. The Joseph K. James House also meets criterion C as a well-preserved example of a transitional Queen Anne/Shingle residence dating from the late 19th century. Historical background and significance The southeastern portion of Spring Hill was developed during the mid-19th century.

After 1870, large single-family homes were still built on ample lots, particularly along Cherry, Craigie, Belmont, Spring, and Laurel Streets. A small community of handsome estates were built in this area for business owners who relied on the rail and horsecar routes along what is now Somerville Avenue and Summer Street to carry them to work in Boston and Charlestown. Belmont Street was the site of several late 19th century houses of substantial size and design, 83 Bemont Street is one of the last remaining, well-preserved homes from this period and represents the development that occurred on Spring Hill due to its prominent topographical location with views of Cambridge and Harvard Square to the south and the Mystic River to the north.

83 Belmont Street was constructed between 1893 and 1894 for Joseph Knightley James, a partner at the Henry James & Sons Soap Company on Columbia Streët in Somerville. James previously lived at 16 Brastow Avenue, one block west of Belmont Street, where he lived with his family for ten years. In 1893, he commissioned his 18 year old son, Thomas Marriott James, to design him a house on a prominent lot on Belmont Street to take advantage of the views from Spring Hill to the Mystic River to the north. Over the course of the next year, the house was constructed by Thomas F. Farrington, a local builder. James lived at the property until his death in 1910. James' widow, Elizabeth, sold the property a year later to Almon F. Heald. Over the course of the next 80 years, the property was sold numerous times.

In 1924, the Somerville Savings Bank acquired the property and later sold it to Bertha Leback in 1940. She owned it for six years until 1946 when George T. Sullivan purchased the property. He later sold it to Joseph F. Dineed in 1951, who owned the property for the next 28 years. The property continued to change ownership, in 1979 Henry and Margaret Vangel purchased the property, in 1983 it was sold to Nino and Mary Ann Crugnale who in turn sold it to Robert Wiercinski and Susan Ahern. The present owners, Laura de la Torre Bueno and Hayyim Feldman, purchased the property in 1992. 83 Belmont Street was Thomas Marriott James' (1875-1942) first commission as an architect. After working for the architectural office of Samuel J. Brown, James began working as a draftsman with the (continued) OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Joseph K. James House Somerville, (Middlesex County) Massachusetts Section number. Page - firm of Eugene L. Clark in 1893, a prolific designer of suburban homes. James continued working as draftsman with Clark until 1896, when he was elevated to partnership. This partnership lasted less than two years, however, and after working alone for next seven years, James formed a partnership with Clinton Murdock Hill from 1906-1909. The firm of Hill & James designed residences throughout the Boston area, including Neoclassical style houses for Oren Cheney Sanborn and Annie Remick in Winchester, and Shingle, Tudor, Classical, and Spanish Revival houses in Brookline and Cambridge.

The firm also received commissions throughout New England, including the 1905 Frank E. Anderson House in Nashua, New Hampshire. In 1909, James formed his own architectural firm, Thomas M. James & Company. The firm specialized in designing bank buildings in styles ranging from Neoclassical to Spanish Revival. The firm designed a number of banks throughout New England and the Midwest, including banks in Augusta, Lewiston and Waterville, Maine, New London, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, and Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Northampton and Waltham, Massachusetts. Buildings in the Boston area include the 1931 Byzantine Revival East Cambridge Savings Bank, constructed in granite, marble and bronze. The firm also designed other public buildings including the 1910 Shubert Theater and the 1929 Art Deco State Street Trust Building, both in Boston...

Although he concentrated on institutional design, James continued to accept residential commissions. He designed an English Revival cottage and a Shingle Style Tea House in Marblehead, Massachusetts, a -Colonial Revival house in Augusta, Maine for Guy P. Gannett in 1911, and the Craftsman style Waban Neighborhood Club in Newton, Massachusetts in 1917. No records indicate that James designed any other buildings in Somerville other than his father's-home. (end) Joseph K. James House Name of Property 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property Middlesex, MA County and State 8,166 square feet UTM References (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) 1. 19 Zone 326440 Easting 4694830 Northing Zone 3. Easting Northing 2. 4.

Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing -See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) 11. Form Prepared By Patricia Conley, Director, Somerville Historic Preservation Commission name/titlewith Betsy Friedberg, National Register Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission organization Massachusetts Historical Commission _dateJuly 1997 street & number 225 Morrissey Boulevard telephone(617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state MA zip code 02125 Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.

Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property. Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) nameLaura de la Torre Bueno and Hayyim Feldman street & number 83Belmont Street telephone 617-623-5232 city or town Somerville state MA zip code 02143 properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form.

Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.0. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Officeof Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. NPS Form 10-900-a 89-06) United States Department of the interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Joseph K. James House Somerville, (Middlesex County) Massachusetts Section number 9, 10 Page -.1 9. MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Atlas of Middlesex County, Somerville: 1895 ("Jos. James"). City of Somerville, Beyond the Neck: TheArchitecture and Development of Somerville, Massachusetts, 1983. Reed, Roger G. "Hill & James: Beaux Arts Splendor in a Suburban Setting." The Architects of Winchester, Massachusetts. Number 1, 1994.

Somerville City Directories: 1880's-1890's. Somerville Journal. March 17, 1894, p. 1. Somerville Journal. February 18, 1910, p.10. (Joseph K. James obituary) (end) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Verbal boundary justification The nominated property includes the entire parcel historically associated with the Joseph K. James House.

(end) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY NAME: James, Joseph K., House MULTIPLE NAME: Somerville MPS STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 1/13/98 2/11/98 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 1/26/98 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 2/27/98 REFERENCE NUMBER: 98000095 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N OTHER : N PDIL: N PERIOD: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: NATIONAL: N N N COMMENT WAIVER: N VACCEPT RETURN REJECT 2/1/95 ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: Entered in the Notional Ragistas RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER TELEPHONE DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N JOSEPH JAMES HOUSE dN83 BELMONT ST.

ISOMERVILLE, (MIDDLESEY) MA sUñO yepox PHOTO #I facing south Taken Jan 1997 a4l10 3 JOSEPHOJAMES HOUSE 83 Bauour STrd SOMERVILLE (MIDDLESEX) MA PItOTO #2 facing NE. beTeken Jaiy 1997 epox (epo) Official Sponsor yepox Official Sponsor Suruvriu P 084 613 105 PTETER TOHE HAATATO The Commonwealth of Mass: William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Cor Massachusetts Historical Commiss US Postal Service Receipt for Certified Mail No Insurance Coverage Provided Do not use for International Mail (See reverse) Sent to anol Shull Street & NumberNPC Post Office, State, & ZIP Code 371 July 10, 1997 Ms. Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service Box 37127 Washington, DC 20013-7127 Dear Ms.

Shull: Postage Certified Fee Special Delivery Fee Restricted Delivery Fee Retum Receipt Showing to Whom & Date Delivered April Retum Receipt Showing to Whom, Date, & Addressee's Address PS Form 3800, TOTAL Postage & Fees Postmark or Date $ Enclosed please find the following nomination form, which is an amendment to the Somerville MRA: Joseph K. James House, 83 Belmont Street, Somerville (Middlesex Co.), MA The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Since the city of Somerville is a participant in the Certified Local Government Program, the owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 60 to 120 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment.

Sincerely, Betey Frudkeg Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission enclosure CC: Laura de la Torre Bueno and Hayyim Feldman, owners Somerville Historic Preservation Commission Michael Capuano, Mayor, City of Somerville 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 - (617) 727-8470 Fax: (617) 727-5128 TDD: 1-800-392-6090 Website: www.magnet.state.ma.us/sec/mhc The Commonwealth of Massachusetts January 6, 1998 William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission Ms. Alexis Abernathy National Register of Historic Places National Park Service, Cultural Resources Mail Stop 2280, Suite 400 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240 RECEIVED 2280 JAN | 3 1998 NAT RAISTER PAHIESPRNG PACES Dear Ms. Abernathy: Enclosed is a resubmitted NR nomination for the Joseph James House, Somerville (Middlesex Co.), MA.

It is identical to the nomination submitted this summer, except for a current signature from the Massachusetts SHPO and the extent of photo documentation. I would appreciate an expedited review on this nomination. Thank you for checking on this one for us. Please contact me if you have any questions, or if I can help. Sincerely, Philip Bergen National Register Assistant Massachusetts Historical Commission enclosure 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 - (617) 727-8470 Fax: (617) 727-5128 TDD: 1-800-392-6090 Website: www.magnet.state.ma.us/sec/mhc The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission January 7, 1998 Ms. Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service Mail Stop 2280, Suite 400 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240 Dear Ms.

Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination form resubmittal, which is an amendment to the Somerville MRA: Joseph K. James House, 83 Belmont Street, Somerville (Middlesex Co.), MA The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Since the city of Somerville is a participant in the Certified Local Government Program, the owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 60to 120 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. We request an expedited review of this nomination.

Sincerely, Betsy Frudkerg Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission enclosure CC: Laura de la Torre Bueno and Hayyim Feldman, owners Somerville Historic Preservation Commission Michael Capuano, Mayor, City of Somerville 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 - (617) 727-8470 Fax: (617) 727-5128 TDD: 1-800-392-6090 Website: www.magnet.state.ma.us/sec/mhc