Historical Significance 2-8 Randolph PlaceCITY OF NORTHAMPTON
TO: Planning Board
PLANNING DEPARTMENT -
- MEMORANDUM
FROM: Ed Lonergan, Historical Survey Consultant Fl_
SUBJECT: Historical Significance of Victorian Rowhouse on Randolph Place
DATE: September 20, 1979
FILE: N346
The structure at 2 -18 Randolph Place is one of the few examples
of the Victorian rowhouse in Northampton. Almost all of Northampton's
housing stock consists of one -and two-family houses, with some apart-
ment buildings. Unlike other industrial communities in Massachusetts
that rose in the 19th century, Northampton and its villages of Bay
State, Florence and Leeds didn't have long rows of worker housing.
The one example of a pre -Civil War rowhouse is in Bay State on River-
side Drive.
All of the other rowhouses were constructed in the last two
decades of the 19th century. They are all located near the center
of town. Two are constructed of brick and are located at 19 -29 Lyman
Road and 8 -22 Graves Avenue. The largest wood frame rowhouse was
located at 4 -26 Hampton Avenue, but it has been demolished. Other
wood frame rowhouses are: 1 -23 Eastern Avenue, 30 -42 Hampton Avenue
(recently bricked over), 24 -34 New South Street, 1 -9 Isabella Street,
and 2 -18 Randolph Place.
Architecturally, the Eastern Avenue, New South Street and Ran-
dolph Place blocks are the most interesting of the wood frame rows.
They all exhibit features of the late Victorian sytle known as Queen
Anne. This style is best known for its towers, gables, multi- storied
bows and bays, the use of decorative shingles, and porches composed
of carved and turned elements. All of these features are present in
the Randolph Place block though some of them are hidden behind the
mid -20th century siding. The New South Street row is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places as part of the Northampton Down-
town Historic District. The Eastern Avenue row will probably be part
of the proposed Pomeroy Terrace Historic District. The Randolph Place
row will possibly be put forth as an individual nomination.
The removal of the present siding and subsequent scraping and
painting of the original clapboard and shingles would be a most wel-
come change. The addition of fire escapes is seen as necessary for
the safety of the tenants, but it is hoped that they might be kept to
the rear of the block to preserve the historical integrity of the
structure as seen from Pleasant Street and Randolph Place. Also,
it is hoped that the addition of the fire escapes and rear balcony
would not mean the dismantling of the rear porches.
In sum, it is hoped that any exterior change to the block is
in keeping with the architectural character of this rowhouse. .