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Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form. 12/12

FORM B BUILDING

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING

220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125

Photograph

Photo 1. West and façade (south) elevations.

Locus Map (north is at top)

Recorded by: W. Frontiero and K. K. Broomer, preservation consultants

Organization: Town of Brookline

Date (month / year): June 2018

Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number

217-40-00 Newton BKL.I BKL.737

Town/City: Brookline

Place: (neighborhood or village):

Aspinwall Hill

Address: 139 Winthrop Road

Historic Name: Hosea Starr Ballou House

Uses: Present: residential – multi-family

Original: residential

Date of Construction: 1891

Source: building permit

Style/Form: Queen Anne / Colonial Revival

Architect/Builder: J. St. Clair Harrold, architect

Exterior Material:

Foundation: stone

Wall/Trim: asbestos shingles and wood trim

Roof: asphalt shingles

Outbuildings/Secondary Structures: none

Major Alterations (with dates):

Asbestos siding and replacement of windows with door on 2

nd story porch (L 20

th century); replacement sash,

replacement of porch balustrades, and removal of eyebrow windows on façade (L 20

th – E 21

st c)

Condition: fair

Moved: no yes Date:

Acreage: 8,560 SF

Setting: Heterogeneous residential development,

constructed principally in the late 19th - early 20

th centuries.

Close to major thoroughfare of Beacon Street. Wood frame, single-family houses of similar period and scale typical in immediate vicinity; three-story brick apartment house adjacent to west.

RECEIVED

JUL 06 2018

MASS. HIST. COMM.

INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET BROOKLINE 139 WINTHROP RD

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.

220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125

Continuation sheet 1

BKL.I BKL.737

Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.

Use as much space as necessary to complete the following entries, allowing text to flow onto additional continuation sheets.

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.

The Ballou House is positioned slightly off-center in a roughly square lot on the north side of Winthrop Road, near its intersection with Addington Road. The moderate front setback is generally flat and maintained in lawn with foundation shrubbery; the terrain slopes steeply down to the north behind the house. Paved parking areas occupy the west and narrower east setback. The walkway to the main entrance is surfaced with modern concrete paving units. The rectangular building rises 2 ½ stories to a high hip roof. Two interior chimneys display simple corbeling at the top. The granite rubble foundation is not exposed at the front, but the basement appears to be fully exposed at the rear of the house. Walls are sheathed with asbestos shingles; the second story flares slightly beyond the first floor. Walls are trimmed with a narrow molding between the first and second floors and a wide, molded entablature with a dentil course at the roof eave. Windows typically contain 1/1 double-hung replacement sash and band molding at the casing. The façade (south) elevation is nearly symmetrical, with three major bays; its slightly projecting center pavilion is capped by a pedimented cross gable with a dentilled fascia and a Palladian window. The center pavilion also features a rectangular entrance porch with square posts, a turned balustrade, dentilled entablature, and roof railing with turned balusters. The entrance consists of a pair of single-leaf, wood and glass paneled doors flanked by fluted Ionic pilasters on the outside and wood panels set between and above the doors. Centered above the entrance porch is a band of originally-four narrow windows with transoms, separated by molded pilasters. The two east windows have been replaced by a wood and glass-paned door (of an early date, but not depicted here in 1979) that provides access to the roof deck. The 1979 survey form shows that the posts of the first floor porch previously rose from a low, solid wood base, and the porch roof railing consisted of a square post balustrade. Three windows on the west side of the center pavilion are irregularly sized and positioned, while the east bay of the façade has two identical large windows that are vertically aligned. The southeast corner of the façade extends into a gracious bow window on the east (right side) elevation. The west (left side) elevation is asymmetrically composed, with two windows and a small, hip roof porch towards the rear of the first floor; three windows of varied sizes on the second floor; and two symmetrically-placed, pedimented dormers with dentilled eaaves and small paired windows at the half-story. The side entry porch contains turned posts and balusters, a dentilled fascia, and a single-leaf door. The east (right side) elevation is also asymmetrical, with a two-story bow window continuous with the front elevation, topped by a narrow pedimented dormer with dentilled eaves and a single window. Towards the rear, a one-story porch with a shed roof, plain square posts, and turned balustrade wraps around to the back. A larger pedimented dormer at this end of the elevation has dentilled eaves and small paired windows. The Ballou House is a somewhat altered but well maintained example of upper middle-class housing in Brookline. The design is distinguished by its generous volume and ample roof, picturesque massing (including the central façade pavilion and corner bow window), dentilled fascia on multiple scales, and prominent Palladian window. The early 20

th century conversion of the building

to two-family use has been sensitively handled in the center entrance. Unfortunate later alterations include asbestos siding, the crude introduction of a doorway in the second floor windows of the center pavilion, the insertion of what appears to be modern turned balustrades throughout the front and side porches, and the removal of two eyebrow windows on the front slope of the roof (they appear in the 1979 survey form). The wrap-around porch at the northeast corner of the building may be new or substantially re-built, based on its plain posts and fascia and modern balustrade.





BKL.I BKL.737

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building, and the role(s) the

owners/occupants played within the community.

Hosea Starr Ballou (1857-1943) and his family were associated with the house at 139 Winthrop Road from its construction in 1891-1892 until 1939. Ballou was a bond broker at 53 State Street, Boston, trading in municipal, water, gas, and street railway bonds, as well as dealing in mortgages, commercial paper, and leasing of commercial properties. Born in North Orange to a Universalist clergyman who also engaged in real estate, Ballou attended Williston Seminary in Easthampton and relocated to the Boston area to attend Harvard College (1877-1879). The Ballou Banking Company reportedly was established by his father in 1870 in Sioux City, Iowa, with offices in Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Hosea Ballou took over as president upon the company’s incorporation in 1888. While residing in this house, he authored a biography in 1896 of his uncle, Hosea Ballou 2

nd

(1796-1861), a Universalist minister and the first president of Tufts College. After the departure of the Ballou family, this house was occupied as a two-family dwelling, reflecting the trend toward denser settlement on Aspinwall Hill between the World Wars. Harry Silberman, a supervisor in a shoe factory, and his wife, Minnie, moved from Chelsea to Brookline in 1940, residing here in one unit with their four children. The Silbermans owned the building. Theodore R. Grossman, a building appraiser, lived in the other unit with his wife, Tylly, and their young daughter, having relocated to Brookline from Boston. With the exception of Theodore Grossman, the parents were Russian immigrants to the United States. Three families resided here after World War II. Residents from 1950 to 1970 included a salesman, dealer, lawyer, draftsman, machinist, retirees, and housewives, as noted in the voters lists. The architect of the house appears to be J. St. Clair Harrold (1861-1901, also known as James S. Harrold). A native of Orkney, Scotland, he immigrated to the United States in 1886, settling in the Boston area by 1889. He is listed in Boston directories from 1889 to 1892, and subsequently in directories for Somerville, where he resided, until his untimely death of heart disease and rheumatism at the age of 39. In the absence of biographical data, it is not clear whether Harrold was a sole practitioner or associated with one of the Boston architecture firms. He described his profession as “architect” in his naturalization paperwork, but is listed as a draftsman in directories. The 1892 Boston directory identifies room 15 of the Studio Building on Tremont Street as Harrold’s place of employment; the firm of Snell and Gregerson occupied the same office. Further research is suggested. The George Gale House, 30 Williston Road (1897, BKL.376), also appears to be the work of Harrold. Winthrop Road is among the earlier streets laid out in the mid-1880s subdivision of Aspinwall Hill. Single-family residential development on the uphill section of the road began in 1891, but stalled during the nationwide financial panic of 1893, resuming later in the decade.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES 139 Winthrop Road (BKL.737) prepared by Leslie Larkin for Brookline Historical Commission, 1979. Amended by hand with

building permit information (citing architect as Harold J. St. Clair), Brookline Preservation Commission draft forms file. Aspinwall Hill area form (BKL.I), prepared by Carla Benka et al., Brookline Historical Commission, 1978-1979. Atlases of Brookline: 1888, 1893, 1897, 1907, 1919, 1927, 1931. Ballou, Hosea Starr. Entry in Fortieth Anniversary Report (Report 7) of the Secretary of the Class of 1881 of Harvard College,

June 1881-June 1921. Cambridge, MA: The University Press, 1921, p. 17. ----------. Entry in Massachusetts of To-Day: A Memorial of the State, Historical and Biographical. Boston, MA: Columbia

Publishing Co., 1892, p. 158. Brookline and Boston directories. Brookline building permits. Brookline street lists of poll tax payers (title varies): 1893, 1897, 1899, 1900, 1905, 1925, 1935-1940, 1950, 1970. Harrold, J(ames) St. Clair. Death record (April 18, 1901). Massachusetts, Death Records, 1841-1915. Database and images

via www.ancestry.com. Retrieved April 2018.

http://www.ancestry.com/





BKL.I BKL.737

----------. Declaration of Intention (September 20, 1899). Massachusetts, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1798-1950. Database and images via www.ancestry.com. Retrieved April 2018.

History of the Counties of Woodbury and Plymouth, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago, Illinois: A. Warner & Co., 1890-1891, p. 776. MHC MACRIS database. Plan of Land Owned by the Aspinwall Land Company on Aspinwall Hill in Brookline, Mass. Boston, MA: Aspinwall and Lincoln,

C. E., October 1885. U. S. Federal census records: 1900-1940. Database and images. Via www.ancestry.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY IMAGES

Photo 2. Façade (south) and east elevations.



F O R M B - B U I L D I N G

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston

in relation to nearest cross streets and other buildings. Indicate north.

• p o r t i c o w / p a i r e d c o l u m n s , r a i l i n g a b o v e.

In Area no. Form no. I y

wn B r o o k ! i n e

dress 13 9 W i n t h r o o Road

me

esent use Two f a m i l y r e s i d e n c e

esent owner B.M. S T. B e r l i n

scription:

te 1892-93

Source 'ax l i s t s

le V a r i a t i o n on C o l o n i a l R e v i v a l

chitect I n f o r m a t i o n n o t a v a i l a b l e

E x t e r i o r wall fabric A s b e s t o s s h i n g l e s

Outbuildings (describe) None

Other features2^ s t o r i e s , h i p r o o f , 2 c h i m n e y s , g a b l e d o r m e r s & e y e -l i d d o r m e r s , p r o j e c t i n g p e d i m e n t e d p a v i l i o n w/ P a l l a d i a n w i n d o w , p i l -a s t e r e d w indows 2nd f l . , r o u n d e d 2 s t o r y b a y one s i d e , e n t r a n c e *

Altered O u t s i d e s t a i r s Date 1 9 5 8

Moved Date

5. Lot size: 8 56 0 s q . f t .

One acre or less x Over one acre

Approximate frontage 100 '

Approximate distance of building f r o m street

20J

6. Recorded by L e s l i e L a r k i n

Organization B r o o k l i n e H i s t o r i c a l Comm

Date March 197 9

(over)

30M-5-77

6 ) ^ - " 7 3 1

7. Original owner (if known) Hosea S t a r r B a l l o u

Original use S i n g l e f a m i l y r e s i d e n c e

Subsequent uses (if any) and dates C o n v e r t e d t o two f a m i l y - 1938

8. Themes (check as many as applicable)

Aboriginal Agricultural Architectural The Arts Commerce Communication Community development

9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above)

O t h e r C o l o n i a l R e v i v a l Mouses on A s p i n w a l l H i l l c a n be s e e n a t 108 U n i v e r s i t y Road, w h i c h a l s o h a s a P a l l a d i a n window and a s i m i l a r e n t r a n c e p o r t i c o , w i t h o u t t h e r a i l i n g , and a t 113-115 C o l b o u r n e C r e s c e n t , a much more c l a s s i c a l example. The rounded bay, o r tower, on t h e s i d e of t h i s house i s r e m i n i s c e n t o f t h e t o w e r s a t 31-33 Winthrop Rd. A s i d e from t h e a d d i t i o n o f s i d i n g , and t h e door c u t t h r o u g h one of t h e 2nd f l o o r p i l a s t e r s t o p r o v i d e a c c e s s t o t h e p o r c h , t h i s house r e m a i n s r e l a t i v e l y u n a l t e r e d .

Hosea S t a r r B a l l o u , t h e o r i g i n a l owner of t h i s house, was an i n v e s t m e n t b a n k e r and p r e s i d e n t of an i n v e s t m e n t s e c u r i t i e s f i r m , Hosea S t a r r B a l l o u & Co. He was b o r n i n N o r t h Orange, Mass, and o r g a n i z e d h i s company i n 1884. I n 1895 t h e o f f i c e s of t h e company were a t 33 t h e E q u i t a b l e B u i l d i n g , B o s t o n , and i n 1916 a t 53 S t a t e S t .

Conservation Recreation Education ZZZZ! Religion

_X Exploration/ Science/ \ settlement invention '

Industry Social/ ) Military humanitarian Political Transportation

10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records, early maps, etc.)

Tax l i s t s , 1892-93 D i r e c t o r y , 1895 B o s t o n D i r e c t o r y , 1896 Who's Who i n New E n g l a n d , A. N.Marquis, e d i t o r , A. N. M arquis & Co., C h i c a g o , 1916

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