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Recorded by Edward W. Gordon

Organization Winthrop CDO+Historic Comm

T o w n - W i n t h r o p

Place (ne ighborhood or vi l lage) Winthrop Center

A d d r e s s 144 Hermon Street Cross-Graham House Histor ic N a m e

Use : Present private single family residence

Orig inal same

Date of Construct ion C.1874-1880

S o u r c e Winthrop Maps and directories

S t y l e / F o r m Italianate, rectangular

A r c h i t e c t / B u i l d e r undetermined

Exterior Material

F o u n d a t i o n brick

Wall wood shingles, wood trim

R o o f hip w/slate?shingles

O u t b u i l d i n g s / S e c o n d a r y S t r u c t u r e s N /A

Major Alterat ions (with dates) Very intact

C o n d i t i o n good

M o v e d y e s j x | n o

A c r e a g e less than one acre Situated at crest of rise, land slopes down to rear. S e t t i n g .

Residential street of c. 1860-1910 houses.

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

U3TH. H-s'J.

A R C H I T E C T U R A L D E S C R I P T I O N CH see continuation sheet

Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.

144 Hermon Street is a compact, wood shingle clad 2-bay x 2-bay house. This house, with its flat and narrow main facade , low wooden stoop and a boxy, rectangular form almost suggests the appearance of a free standing urban row house transported to suburbia. Stylistically.this house speaks to the Italianate Style with its hip roof and main facade's panneled porch, double doors and one story octagonal bay.The front stoop exhibits slat work railings. The small open porch exhibits Doric posts and pilasters on either side of the original double doors. In general.windows contain original 2/2 wood sash. The rear ,1-story ell and open second floor porch with curving, 2-dimensional balusters with punched and cut decoration appears to be original to this house's c. 1874-1880 construvtion. Rising from the main facade's roof slope is a single, shed roofed dormer.

H I S T O R I C A L N A R R A T I V E d see continuation sheet

Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community.

In 1873, this house's lot was one of 15 lots bordering the west side of Hermon Street. All of these lots were owned by the Hermon Tewksbury family. 144 Hermon Street was built c. 1874-1880. Its first owner was Thomas H. Cross, engineer for the Cunard shipping line in East Boston. He is listed on Hermon Street in Winthrop Directories from 1882 until at least 1906. During the 1910's this house was occupied by Alice and James Handlon, chef and Mary G. and F.S. Labao, hairdresser. During the 1920's,30's and 40's,this residence was home to Gertrude E. and Gordon W. Graham. He is listed as a stair builder in Boston.By the 1940's,he was a partner in the Seely and Graham Stairbuilding Company. Also living here in the 40's was Isabelle.Ayers,widow of Samuel Ayers.

B I B L I O G R A P H Y and/or R E F E R E N C E S [ I see continuation sheet

Winthrop Maps/Atlases-1873,1886,1896,1906,1914 Chelsea/Winthrop Directories-1882,1886,1887,1895/96,1901,1906 Winthrop Directories-1911,1913, 1916/17,1924,1936,1942,1947

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