78 Lyman Road
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FORM B − BUILDING
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Photograph
Topographic or Assessor's Map
Recorded by: Jayne Bernhard-Armington
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): June, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
39A-053 Easthampton NTH.1084
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 78 Lyman Road
Historic Name:
Uses: Present: Two family residence
Original: Single family residence
Date of Construction: 1883-1885
Source: Registry of Deeds
Style/Form: Italianate
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick
Wall/Trim: Clapboard
Roof: Asphalt
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Windows replaced after 1980
Condition: Fair
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.23 acres
Setting: House among other stately single family or former
single family homes in a well-established residential
neighborhood, which contains mature trees throughout.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [78 LYMAN ROAD ]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.1084
__X_ 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.
This is a two-and-a-half story Italianate style home with a front gable roof. Although the main block of the house is three bays
wide and two bays deep, there is a side wing on the eastern elevation towards the front and a large two-story rear wing on the
western elevation of the home, which together forms an atypical layout for an Italianate style home. Slim corner boards rise to
meet a wide frieze at the cornice line. All windows have replacement one over one sashes, however the house has retained the
window surrounds with projecting cornices on consoles. The narrow front entry features this same entablature. Within the front
gable field is a rounded one over one sash window with architrave surrounded and hooded lintel. The exterior façade is in need
of repair. On the western elevation a double string course separates the two stories of this home. The 1980 photo of this hom e
does not show this ornamentation so it is unknown if the other sides of the home had this feature at one point. The western
elevation of the roof has a gabled dormer. There is a frontward facing side entry at the side wing and then a rear entry further
along this same facade. The house has an attached one-story frame garage.
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.
This simple two and a half story house was built during the early 1880's. Russell Roberts bought a large lot of land on the north
side of High St. (now Lyman Rd o) at the brow of Fort Hill. Mr. Roberts lived at 68 High St. and sold the land at the brow of the
hill to Emeriah Roberts, a Northampton jeweler. Emeriah, in turn, split the lot and sold the western part to Alphonso Witherell five
days later. Mr. Witherell was a letter carrier and was first listed at the "foot" of High Street in 1885. By 1887 this had become 78
High St.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Beers, F. W. County Atlas of Hampshire Massachusetts, New York, 1873.
Hales, John G. Plan of the Town or Northampton in the County of Hampshire, 1831.
Miller, D. L. Atlas of the City of Northampton and Town of Easthampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, 1895.
Walker, George H. and Company. Atlas of Northampton City, Massachusetts, Boston, 1884.
Walling, Henry F. Map of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, New York, 1860.
Northampton Directory: 1885 -86. 1886-87. 1887 -88, 1895-96.
Registry of Deeds: Bk: ?96-P ?67.