Nobility Hill Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Nobility Hill Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Chestnut and Maple Sts. and Cedar Ave., Stoneham, Massachusetts |
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| Architect | Amasa Farrier |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Late Victorian |
| MPS | Stoneham MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 89002328 |
| Added to NRHP | February 9, 1990 |
The Nobility Hill Historic District is a special neighborhood in Stoneham, Massachusetts. It's like a time capsule, showing off many beautiful homes built between 1860 and 1920. This area is important because it helps us understand how people lived long ago. It was officially recognized as a historic place in 1990.
Discovering Nobility Hill
Nobility Hill is a rectangular area in Stoneham. It is bordered by Cedar Avenue, Maple Street, and Chestnut Street. This neighborhood is just a short walk west of Stoneham's main town center. Maple and Chestnut Streets are old roads that have been around since the early 1800s.
Why "Nobility Hill"?
This area got its name because some of Stoneham's wealthiest people lived here. These were important business owners from the 1800s. For example, John Hill and H. H. Mawhinney owned shoe factories. C. W. Tidd owned a tannery, which is a place where animal hides are made into leather.
While their original houses are no longer standing, you can still see parts of their past. For instance, stone walls and a gate from the Tidd estate remain. They are now in front of newer houses, showing a mix of old and new.
Amazing Architecture
The houses in Nobility Hill show off many different building styles from the past. They were built between 1860 and 1920.
One of the oldest styles you'll see is the Italianate style. Look for houses with wide eaves and decorative brackets. A great example is the house at 35 Chestnut Street, built around 1860. The Charles Wood House at 34 Chestnut Street is also a beautiful Italianate home.
Another cool style is Second Empire. The Lorenzo D. Hawkins House at 1 Cedar Street, built around 1870, is a perfect example. It often has a special kind of roof called a mansard roof.
You'll also find many Stick style and Queen Anne houses. These homes often have lots of decorative wood trim and towers. The Sidney A. Hill House, Newton Lamson House, and the Franklin B. Jenkins House are all great examples of these styles. You can find them together at 31-35 Chestnut Street.
The newest style in the district is the Dutch Colonial house at 45 Maple Street. It was built around 1915 and often features a gambrel roof.
This mix of styles makes Nobility Hill a fascinating place to explore. It's like walking through a living museum of American architecture!
