387 Prospect Street
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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: Bonnie Parsons
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): April, 2011
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
24A-134-001 Easthampton NTH.
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 387 Prospect Street
Historic Name: James and Priscilla O’Brien
Uses: Present: Single-family house
Original: Single-family house
Date of Construction: ca. 1925
Source: Street Directories
Style/Form: Tudor Revival
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: concrete
Wall/Trim: stucco
Roof: slate
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Garage
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.635 acres
Setting: This house occupies a relatively large
corner lot.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [387 Prospect STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.
___ 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 fine example of the Tudor Revival style that became prominent in the 1920s in Northampton and elsewhere. It is two-
and-a-half stories under a steeply-pitched, side-gable roof that has a complex configuration. There is a cross-gable on the south
side of the roof and flanking it are three, flat-roofed dormers. The cross-gable has one window at the second story level and
then it has projecting from its south façade a second front-gabled section, an entry portico. The closed entry portico has a
centered door with a label lintel, three-point arched opening and a wood paneled door. The roof of the house covered in
multicolored red slate, makes returns on the east and west elevations in the form of a pent roof. There is a porch wing on the
east of one story and a second screened porch in the southwest corner of the house. Windows are eight-light casements. This
is a particularly fine example of the house style.
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 house was built ca. 1925 and its first occupants in 1930 were James W. and Priscilla O’Brien Jr.. James, Jr. worked in
automobile, and real estate insurance with his father of the same name. In 1920 he was still living at home with his parents who
lived next door to this house. James and Priscilla remained in this house through 1940.
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.