132-142 Vernon Street – Stockbridge Row

Augustus P. Stockbridge built this Queen Anne style row house around 1890. This row house does not appear in the 1888 Bird’s Eye View map of Norwood, but does appear in an 1896 Map. Built at a time when Norwood was experiencing an influx of newcomers, answering the call for laborers. In the late 1890s the printing companies opened modern facilities, making Norwood one of the Book Publishing centers in the United States. Row houses were an unusual structure in Norwood, this is one of a very few. Most real estate investors, especially in South Norwood, went up, building multi-level rental units. The 1900, 1910 and 1920 census show that these townhomes were rented, and occupied by laborers. Today this six-unit property is made up of privately owned condominiums.

Elements of this Queen Anne Style Row House:

Appearance of a row house in this area is unusual

• More common to see two and three family unit row houses
• Similar row house styles in urban areas and made of brick
• Main center gable
• Gable dormers over octagonal bays
• Note rear façade – lean-to shape with chimneys (kitchen)
• Saw cut shingles on the end gables
• Possibly worker housing

         

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