Buck's Corner Historic District
Also known as: Buck's Hill; The City
Why it's listed
Buck's Corner is a small cluster of historic farmhouses and barns along Woburn and Wildwood Streets in southeastern Wilmington, Massachusetts, covering about ten acres. It includes the Ephraim Buck House, a two-family dwelling dated by local historians to 1672 and by deeds to 1704, and later Georgian and Federal houses, an Italianate house from about 1861 and a Queen Anne house from about 1883. Most buildings are wood frame, and several retain barns or stables. Three interrelated farming families, the Bucks, Eames and Sheldons, lived here over long periods, and farming and later butchering continued into the early twentieth century. The unusual density of early houses led to the nickname "The City" in the early 1800s. The district was listed for its role in the community's early settlement and development and for its well-preserved architecture. Its open land and nearby wetlands also suggest potential for Native American and historic archaeological sites.
Significance in brief: The district is a well-preserved cluster of houses built and lived in by three interrelated farming families over long periods. It reflects the early settlement and continuing community development of Wilmington, and its density earned it the nickname "The City" in the early 19th century. It also shows a range of styles from First Period and Federal to Italianate and Queen Anne, and it has high archaeological potential.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 03001209, listed November 21, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 216 Wildwood St., 580,584,588,590,602,603,604 Woburn St., Wilmington |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | November 21, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03001209 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | Ca. 1704-1953 |
| Architectural style | First Period, Federal, Italianate, Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Houses are in residential use as single dwellings; several have been restored, though some are vinyl sided and altered. Two buildings are non-contributing, and a Buck family house at 585 Woburn Street and the Ephraim Buck House barn have been demolished. |
| Acreage | 9.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.54590, -71.14917 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 03001209.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4982785
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.