Wakefield Park Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Wakefield Park
|
|
Park Avenue
|
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly Park Ave. between Summit Ave. and Chestnut St., Wakefield, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| MPS | Wakefield MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000755 |
| Added to NRHP | March 2, 1990 |
The Wakefield Park Historic District is a special neighborhood in Wakefield, Massachusetts. It's called a historic district because it has many old homes. These homes were built a long time ago, between the late 1800s and early 1900s.
This district includes sixteen properties, which are houses and their land. It covers about 8 acres (3.2 ha) of land. This is part of a much larger area, about 100 acres (40 ha), that was planned for homes. Most of these historic homes are on Park Avenue. A few others are on streets very close by.
Contents
How Wakefield Park Started
The Wakefield Park neighborhood was first planned in 1888. A local builder named J. S. Merrill created the plan. Before this, the land was used for farming until the 1850s.
Merrill built some of the houses himself. He also made special rules for selling the land. These rules made sure that only high-quality homes would be built. This helped to create a nice neighborhood for well-off families.
A Healthy "Garden Suburb"
In the 1890s, many homes were being built in Wakefield Park. Merrill worked with Charles Hanks during this busy time. Hanks was very good at selling the idea of the neighborhood.
He told people it was a healthy "garden suburb." This meant it was a green, open place to live, away from the busy city. It offered a peaceful choice for families.
What Do the Houses Look Like?
The houses in Wakefield Park show many different styles. These styles were popular around the year 1900. Often, the houses mix parts from different architectural styles. This makes them unique and interesting to look at.
Mixing Old and New Styles
One example is the house at 8 Park Avenue. It was built around 1900. This house is made of wood and has two and a half stories. Its roof is steep, like homes from the Colonial Revival style.
However, the front door looks like it belongs to the Craftsman/Bungalow style. It also has a round tower on the corner. This tower is a common feature of Queen Anne Victorian homes.
Other Unique Homes
Many houses in the district combine different styles. For example, the homes at 2 and 4 Park Avenue mix Shingle and Colonial Revival styles. The house at 24 Park Avenue is a more classic Queen Anne Victorian home.
National Recognition
The Wakefield Park Historic District is important. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it is recognized as a place worth protecting for its history and architecture.
