McIntosh Corner Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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McIntosh Corner Historic District
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Daniel Kingsbury House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Needham, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 11.1 acres (4.5 ha) |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Early Republic |
| NRHP reference No. | 88003127 |
| Added to NRHP | January 5, 1989 |
The McIntosh Corner Historic District is a special area in Needham, Massachusetts. It's called a historic district because it has many old buildings. This area used to be the main center of Needham long ago.
The district is mostly made up of homes. These homes are found around where Great Plain Avenue and Central Street meet. This area became less important when the railroad was built somewhere else. Because of this, the town's main center moved about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the east. The McIntosh Corner Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
Contents
What is the McIntosh Corner Historic District?
The town of Needham is a suburb located west of Boston. People first settled here in the early 1700s. Needham officially became a town in 1711. The paths that became Great Plain Avenue and Central Street were first used by Native Americans. Later, colonial settlers turned them into roads.
How the Area Developed
The very first town center was about 0.25 miles (0.40 km) north of this spot. But by the late 1700s, McIntosh Corner started to grow as a second important area. In 1853, there was a disagreement about where to build the railroad. People didn't want it to go through the main center or McIntosh Corner. So, the railroad was built further east. After this, McIntosh Corner became less important.
Exploring the Historic Buildings
The McIntosh Corner Historic District covers about 11 acres (4.5 ha). It includes fifteen buildings that are very important historically. There are also ten other buildings that are not considered historic. The district is centered at the crossing of Great Plain Avenue and Central Street. It stretches only a short distance in each direction from this point.
Key Features of the Homes
Most of the buildings in the district are homes. They are made of wood and are usually 2.5 stories tall. They typically have between three and five windows across the front. Many of them have five windows across, which was a common style in the late colonial and Federal periods. These homes often have a front door in the middle and two chimneys inside.
The Oldest House: Daniel Kingsbury House
The oldest house in the district is the Daniel Kingsbury House. It was built in 1794. This house is a good example of the typical style for the area. It was first built in the Federal style. Later, it was changed with Greek Revival and Colonial Revival designs.
