Avon Hill Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Avon Hill Historic District
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Arlington Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Washington and Walnut Aves. and Agassiz, Humboldt, Arlington and Lancaster Sts., Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Architect | Hartwell & Richardson; and others |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| MPS | Cambridge MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000782 |
| Added to NRHP | June 30, 1983 |
The Avon Hill Historic District is a special neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It's a place where many old, beautiful homes from the late 1800s are protected. This area is located on Avon Hill, not far from Porter Square. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 because of its unique history and architecture.
Contents
What is Avon Hill Historic District?
The Avon Hill Historic District is a residential area. This means it's mostly made up of homes where people live. It's called a "historic district" because the buildings and the way the neighborhood is set up are important to history. Protecting these areas helps keep the past alive.
How Old Are the Homes?
Most of the houses in this district were built between 1870 and 1890. They show off popular building styles from that time, like Victorian and Second Empire architecture. These styles often feature fancy details, towers, and decorative porches.
Who Lived Here?
Many of the first people to build homes here were successful business owners from the Cambridge area. They wanted large, impressive houses on big plots of land. This shows how important and wealthy the residents were back then.
History of Avon Hill
Avon Hill was once known as Jones Hill. For a long time, from the mid-1600s to the mid-1800s, the land was used for farming.
When Did Development Begin?
In 1869, five acres at the top of the hill were sold. Two important local businessmen, Henry Melendez and Gilbert Dexter, bought the land. They started building fancy homes there. Henry Melendez's house is still standing today.
Who Designed the Houses?
Many famous architects worked on the homes in Avon Hill. The well-known firm of Hartwell & Richardson designed four of the houses. Other local architects also contributed to the unique look of the neighborhood. By 1890, most of the district was fully built. Only two houses were added after 1900.
Exploring the District
The Avon Hill Historic District covers about 20 acres. It includes 44 properties, all of them homes.
Where is the District Located?
The district runs along Washington Street, between Upland and Lancaster Streets. It also includes most of Lancaster Street, Walnut Street, and Arlington Street. A few houses on Agassiz, Humboldt, and Hillside Avenue are also part of the district.
What Do the Houses Look Like?
Most of the homes are large, two-and-a-half stories tall. They are mainly made of wood. One house is built with brick, and another uses a mix of brick and wood. While they were all built as single-family homes, some have been divided into multiple apartments over the years.
