144 South 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: Jayne Bernhard-Armington
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): June, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
38B-90 Easthampton NTH.1016
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 144 South Street
Historic Name: Col. Elisha Strong Homestead
Uses: Present: Two family residence
Original: Single family residence
Date of Construction: circa 1800
Source: Courthouse deeds
Style/Form: Greek Revival/Italianate
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick
Wall/Trim: Clapboard
Roof: Asphalt
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: Good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.15 acres
Setting: House sits close to the busy South Street/Route
10. House is in a residential neighborhood of former single
family homes that have been converted to buildings with
two or more residential units.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [144 SOUTH STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.1016
__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 story house with side gabled roof that is transitional in style from the Greek Revival to Italianate stylistic periods.
For the most part, the house exhibits features of the Italianate style. The main Greek Revival feature is the wide frieze that
make full returns in the gables to create a pediment. The symmetrical five-bay facade is set off and the central entrance is
covered by an Italianate style portico with hipped roof and paired square posts on pedestals. The windows on the house have
two over two sashes that are now partially hidden behind metal storm windows. The windows are capped by projecting cornices,
which is seen throughout Northampton on Italianate style homes. The northern and southern sides of the house are one bay
wide and pedimented, with a small rondel contained within the pediment. A two-story addition projects from the rear of the
house. The main block of the house has two interior brick chimneys and a brick foundation.
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.
From Form B of 1970: “South Street is one of Northampton's earliest roads and has the largest number of pre-19th century
houses. The street, originally on the western side of the Mill River, was first permanently settled around 1700, and has quickly
built up with homesteads. The southern side of the street had lots which extended back over the terrace bluffs and down into the
meadows. It would appear as if this house was built in the early 19th century. In 1807 Eleakim Clapp sold this land to Horace
Graves, a printer. The next year Mr. Graves sold the property to Nathaniel Parsons, who later left the property as a legacy to his
daughter, Sarah Parsons Janes. The Janes family maintained this homestead until the early 20th century.”
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.
1831 Town Nap.
1854 County Maps.
1915 Atlas