Smith-Ballou House
Encyclopedia
The Smith-Ballou House is an historic house in northwestern Woonsocket, Rhode Island
. The 1906 house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
The house was surrounded by Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce trees. One of the trees was removed in 2007 due to infestation; a ring count confirmed that the tree was of the same age as the house. Only one Blue Spruce remains, though new plantings will eventually result in a return of the original landscaping. Extensive restoration was conducted in the early 2000s including repointing of the three chimneys and the 19-inch-thick granite foundation, new copper and slate on roof structures, and re-leading of the stained glass windows.
The house next door to the Smith-Ballou House is one of only two on the block that predate this house; it was built by Mary F. Smith's son (and Sarah J. Ballou's nephew), Stanley G. Smith. The two homes occupy a prominent hilltop location; siting, orientation, and outdoor living spaces suggest that the house originally commanded extensive views overlooking the west and south.
The Smith-Ballou House was accepted to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The original color of the house was black stained cedar shakes for the siding with white trim.
Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Woonsocket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 41,186 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth largest city in the state. Woonsocket lies directly south of the Massachusetts border....
. The 1906 house is listed on 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...
.
History
The Smith-Ballou House was constructed in 1906 for two elderly sisters, Mary F. Smith (née Ballou) and Sarah J. Ballou. This 5000 square feet (464.5 m²), three-story house combines Queen Anne and Arts & Crafts style influences, and retains a high degree of integrity of both design and materials. In the first 100 years, the house was owned and occupied by five families. The house initially stood on 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) of land, subdivided in 1938 such that the house now stands on approximately two acres.The house was surrounded by Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce trees. One of the trees was removed in 2007 due to infestation; a ring count confirmed that the tree was of the same age as the house. Only one Blue Spruce remains, though new plantings will eventually result in a return of the original landscaping. Extensive restoration was conducted in the early 2000s including repointing of the three chimneys and the 19-inch-thick granite foundation, new copper and slate on roof structures, and re-leading of the stained glass windows.
The house next door to the Smith-Ballou House is one of only two on the block that predate this house; it was built by Mary F. Smith's son (and Sarah J. Ballou's nephew), Stanley G. Smith. The two homes occupy a prominent hilltop location; siting, orientation, and outdoor living spaces suggest that the house originally commanded extensive views overlooking the west and south.
The Smith-Ballou House was accepted to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The original color of the house was black stained cedar shakes for the siding with white trim.