Bayley House
Encyclopedia
Bayley House, located at 16 Fairmont Avenue, Newtonville, Massachusetts
, was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on October 4, 1986.
-based architectural firm of Peabody and Stearns
, noted for its commercial and residential architecture in the late 19th century. The house—originally commissioned by James C. Bayley, a Boston shoe merchant who died within months after ground was broken in late 1883—was built of brick
, freestone, red slate
, and wood. Its main entrance is behind the porte-cochère
on the tower side of the house. Bayley's widow, Martha R. Bayley, oversaw the completion of the house, but she and her young children never moved in.
The first occupants of the house were the family of Cyrus Anderson, who lived there from 1884 to 1897.
Subsequent owners were the Luther Adams family (wife Lizzie), from 1897 through approximately 1901. Adams was a wine merchant in Boston. Also residing with them were daughters Fanny M. and Mabel Adams. Luther Adams died in 1901 at age 68.
The house was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Edgar P. Van Etten (President, Boston and Albany Railroad
) in 1903.
From approximately 1905 to approximately 1919, the home was owned by the Charles H. Breck family who formerly lived at 62 Bellevue Street in Newton
. Breck was in the agricultural tools business at 51 North Market in Boston, known as Joseph Breck & Company (now called Breck's
, founded by his grandfather Joseph Breck
and his father, Charles H.B. Breck). Mrs. Charles H. Breck (Marion A.) was, in fact, a daughter of Luther Adams, a previous owner. Her sister Fanny also lived here. Other children included Charles H. Breck Jr. and Luther J. Breck.
From 1919 to 1925, the home was owned by the John H. O'Brien family, O'Brien was in the wool business at 619 Atlantic Avenue, Boston; his wife was the former Emma M. Matthews. Their children included Byron H. O'Brien and Arnold N. O'Brien. (Arnold, a coal dealer, was born in Dorchester in 1906 and married Helen F. Priest in Keene, New Hampshire
on June 10, 1933.)
From 1931 through 1945, the home was used as the Damon Hall Junior College, run by Frank and Annie Damon.
A private family (John Ronne, an attorney
) lived in the home again from 1948 until approximately 1963.
From 1964 through 1984, the home was owned by the religious order of Stigmatine Fathers, a Catholic religious congregation of priests and brothers. The order also owned the house next door at 36 Fairmont Avenue.
The house is currently in use as a private residence, as it has been since approximately 1984.
Newtonville, Massachusetts
Newtonville is a village of Newton, Massachusetts.Located in Newtonville is Newton North High School, one of the city's two high schools. Also located in Newtonville is the MBTA Commuter Rail train station, which is serviced by the buses 59, 553, 554, and 556....
, was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on October 4, 1986.
National Register listing
- Bayley House ** (added 1986
- Building - #86001771)
- 16 Fairmont Ave., Newton
- Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
- Architect, builder, or engineer: Peabody & Stearns
- Architectural Style: Other, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
- Area of Significance: Architecture
- Period of Significance: 1875-1899
- Owner: Private
- Historic Function: Domestic
- Historic Sub-function: Single Dwelling
- Current Function: Domestic
- Current Sub-function: Single Dwelling
History
Bayley House was designed and built in 1883-84 by the BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
-based architectural firm of Peabody and Stearns
Peabody and Stearns
Peabody & Stearns was a premier architectural firm in the Eastern United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the firm consisted of Robert Swain Peabody and John Goddard Stearns, Jr...
, noted for its commercial and residential architecture in the late 19th century. The house—originally commissioned by James C. Bayley, a Boston shoe merchant who died within months after ground was broken in late 1883—was built of brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
, freestone, red slate
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
, and wood. Its main entrance is behind the porte-cochère
Porte-cochere
A porte-cochère is the architectural term for a porch- or portico-like structure at a main or secondary entrance to a building through which a horse and carriage can pass in order for the occupants to alight under cover, protected from the weather.The porte-cochère was a feature of many late 18th...
on the tower side of the house. Bayley's widow, Martha R. Bayley, oversaw the completion of the house, but she and her young children never moved in.
The first occupants of the house were the family of Cyrus Anderson, who lived there from 1884 to 1897.
Subsequent owners were the Luther Adams family (wife Lizzie), from 1897 through approximately 1901. Adams was a wine merchant in Boston. Also residing with them were daughters Fanny M. and Mabel Adams. Luther Adams died in 1901 at age 68.
The house was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Edgar P. Van Etten (President, Boston and Albany Railroad
Boston and Albany Railroad
The Boston and Albany Railroad was a railroad connecting Boston, Massachusetts to Albany, New York, later becoming part of the New York Central Railroad system, Conrail and CSX. The line is used by CSX for freight...
) in 1903.
From approximately 1905 to approximately 1919, the home was owned by the Charles H. Breck family who formerly lived at 62 Bellevue Street in Newton
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
. Breck was in the agricultural tools business at 51 North Market in Boston, known as Joseph Breck & Company (now called Breck's
Breck's
Breck’s is a mail order gardening company and importer of Dutch flower bulbs. Based in Guilford, Indiana, and Hillegom, The Netherlands, Breck’s was founded in 1818. Originally a family-owned garden supply business, Breck’s gradually expanded into a catalog company. Breck’s is now the largest U.S...
, founded by his grandfather Joseph Breck
Joseph Breck
Joseph Breck , a notable businessman of the 19th century, was born in Medfield, Massachusetts. He founded his business, Joseph Breck & Company, in 1818, in Boston, Massachusetts. From 1822 to 1846, Breck was the editor of the New England Farmer, one of the earliest agricultural magazines...
and his father, Charles H.B. Breck). Mrs. Charles H. Breck (Marion A.) was, in fact, a daughter of Luther Adams, a previous owner. Her sister Fanny also lived here. Other children included Charles H. Breck Jr. and Luther J. Breck.
From 1919 to 1925, the home was owned by the John H. O'Brien family, O'Brien was in the wool business at 619 Atlantic Avenue, Boston; his wife was the former Emma M. Matthews. Their children included Byron H. O'Brien and Arnold N. O'Brien. (Arnold, a coal dealer, was born in Dorchester in 1906 and married Helen F. Priest in Keene, New Hampshire
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
on June 10, 1933.)
From 1931 through 1945, the home was used as the Damon Hall Junior College, run by Frank and Annie Damon.
A private family (John Ronne, an attorney
Attorney at law
An attorney at law in the United States is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients. Alternative terms include counselor and lawyer...
) lived in the home again from 1948 until approximately 1963.
From 1964 through 1984, the home was owned by the religious order of Stigmatine Fathers, a Catholic religious congregation of priests and brothers. The order also owned the house next door at 36 Fairmont Avenue.
The house is currently in use as a private residence, as it has been since approximately 1984.