Montvale (Worcester, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Montvale
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Location | Properties along Montvale, Monadnock, Sagamore, Waconah, and Whitman Rds., and Salisbury St., Worcester, Massachusetts |
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Built | 1851 |
Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Greek Revival, Victorian, Queen Anne |
MPS | Worcester MRA |
NRHP reference No. | 80000521 |
Added to NRHP | March 05, 1980 |
Montvale is a special neighborhood in northwestern Worcester, Massachusetts. It's known as a historic district, which means it's an area with important old buildings that are protected. This part of Worcester was planned out in 1897. It was built on land that used to belong to Jared Whitman, Jr. His original house, built in 1851, is still there at 246 Salisbury Street.
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Discovering Montvale's History
Montvale is a unique place where many beautiful old homes stand. It shows how neighborhoods were designed and built over a hundred years ago.
How Montvale Began
In 1897, two developers named H. Ballard and M. O. Wheelock bought Jared Whitman Jr.'s large property. They decided to turn it into a new neighborhood. They created 73 building lots. Many grand houses were built here between 1897 and 1924. These homes often had popular styles like Queen Anne Victorian and Colonial Revival.
The historic district today includes 37 properties. This includes the original Whitman house and 36 other homes. These houses are mainly found along Whitman Road, between Sagamore Road and Salisbury Street. You can also find them on Waconah and Monadnock Roads.
The Architecture of Montvale Homes
The houses in Montvale show off different building styles from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Famous Architects and Designs
Some homes in Montvale were designed by well-known architects of the time. For example, the house at 254 Salisbury Street was built in 1897. It has a mix of Queen Anne and Shingle styles. It was designed by a famous architect named George Clemence.
Another important architectural firm was Earle & Fisher. They designed several homes, like the Colonial Revival house at 96 Sagamore Road, built in 1902. They also designed the Queen Anne Victorian house at 11 Monadnock Road, built in 1899. This house is special because it's made of brick and stucco. Earle & Fisher also helped add new parts to the old Whitman house from 1851.
Notable People Who Lived Here
Many important people from Worcester lived in the Montvale historic district.
Residents of Interest
- Harold Ashley, who was a vice president at a company that made sprinklers, lived at 14 Whitman Road. His house was built in 1920.
- Frederick Lines, who was the treasurer of the Matthews Manufacturing Company, lived at 24 Whitman Road. His house was a Colonial Revival style, built in 1918.
- Levi Conant, a math professor at WPI, lived at 254 Salisbury Street. This is the same house designed by George Clemence.
Montvale: A Protected Historic Place
Because of its unique history and beautiful architecture, Montvale was recognized as a special place.
Listed on the National Register
The Montvale historic district was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This listing helps protect the area and its historic buildings for future generations to enjoy.