Newton Highlands Historic District (Boundary Increase)

Newton Highlands grew up around a small railroad station, and this boundary increase covers its commercial heart at Lincoln and Walnut Streets. The area adds a business district to the neighboring historic district, which is mostly 19th century housing. It contains eleven commercial properties and the Newton Highlands Woman's Club at 72 Columbus Street, built from plans by Edward B. Stratton in 1927. Nineteenth century buildings are generally three-story wood-frame or masonry blocks, such as the 1888 Queen Anne Stevens building and the 1893 Patterson Block. Twentieth century buildings are one-story brick or cast stone blocks. The finest is 43-53 Lincoln Street, designed in 1916 by F. A. Norcross with a Beaux-Arts cast stone parapet. A 1928 garage on Walnut Street is the only surviving early auto-related structure. The district was recognized as one of Newton's most intact village centers, showing the city's growth after the railroad and trolley lines arrived. All twelve buildings are counted as contributing.