Pine Ridge Road–Plainfield Street Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pine Ridge Road–Plainfield Street Historic District
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House on Plainfield Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly Pine Ridge Rd., Upland Rd., Plainfield St., and Chestnut St., Newton, Massachusetts |
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| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Bungalow/Craftsman, Late Victorian |
| MPS | Newton MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000015 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1990 |
The Pine Ridge Road–Plainfield Street Historic District is a special neighborhood in Newton, Massachusetts, specifically in the Waban area. It's like a time capsule, showing how homes were built from the 1880s to the 1930s. This district includes 44 unique houses on Pine Ridge Road, Plainfield Street, and parts of Chestnut Street and Upland Road. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 because of its important history and architecture.
Contents
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is a special area recognized for its important history or architecture. These places are protected to help keep their unique character. The Pine Ridge Road–Plainfield Street Historic District is a great example. It shows how suburban neighborhoods grew in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
A Look at the History
This area was once farmland until 1886. That's when two developers, Charles Page and Frederick Henshaw, bought the land. They planned to create a new neighborhood. This was possible because a new suburban train service had arrived, making it easier for people to live outside the city and commute.
The first homes were built west of Chestnut Street. The part of the district we see today, east of Chestnut Street, started to develop in the 1890s. By the 1930s, most of the houses in this district were finished.
Cool House Styles You'll See
The Pine Ridge Road–Plainfield Street Historic District is famous for its mix of architectural styles. You can see many different designs here.
Older Styles: Queen Anne and Shingle
Some of the earliest houses, built in the late 1800s, show off the Queen Anne and Shingle styles.
- Queen Anne Style: These homes often have towers, turrets, and decorative porches. They look a bit like gingerbread houses.
- Shingle Style: These houses are covered in wooden shingles, giving them a smooth, flowing look.
Newer Styles: Colonial Revival, Tudor, and Craftsman
As time went on, new styles became popular in the early 1900s.
- Colonial Revival: These homes look back to the early American colonial period. They often have symmetrical designs and classic details.
- Tudor Style: Inspired by old English homes, these houses often feature steep gables, decorative half-timbering, and tall, narrow windows.
- Craftsman Style: These homes focus on natural materials and handcrafted details. They often have low-pitched roofs and wide porches.
Many of these houses were designed by architects. They are well-built and have good proportions, even if they aren't as huge as homes in some other wealthy neighborhoods.
Famous Houses in the District
Let's look at some specific examples of the beautiful homes in this district.
Early 1897 Homes
The oldest houses in the district date back to 1897.
- The Stetson House at 91 Pine Ridge Road is a great example of the Queen Anne style.
- Another house at 69 Pine Ridge Road also shows the Queen Anne style, with a huge half-round porch.
- The Davidson House at 24 Plainfield Street, also built in 1897, is a beautiful Shingle style home.
Architect-Designed Homes
Some homes were designed by architects, making them extra special.
- The Thomas James House at 80 Pine Ridge Road is another Shingle style home. It might have been designed by its owner, who was an architect!
- The George Heald House at 99 Pine Ridge Road is a fantastic example of English Tudor Revival architecture. It has Tudor arch shapes, half-timbered gables, and many diamond-shaped leadlight windows with heraldry symbols (like family crests).
- The Colonial Revival house at 100 Pine Ridge Road was built in 1931. It was designed by Harry Ramsay, a very busy local architect.
