Charles Street Workers' Housing Historic District
Why it's listed
Four modest houses along Charles Street in Waltham, between Williams and Harvard Streets, form a compact district of workers' housing built around 1865. Each rises two and a half stories to a gable roof with twin stove chimneys and is clad in wood shingles. Most carry wide fascias that recall Greek Revival friezes. One is a double house with an eight-bay facade and two hip-roof porches; the others are single-family houses, one with a recessed entry and one altered with a new porch and replacement sash. The land was bought in 1864 by Edward Campbell, a laborer, and the houses were built the following year to serve workers at nearby industries. Patrick Noonan, also listed as a laborer, owned one of them. The surrounding area developed as an Irish enclave, reflected in street names such as Noonan Street and Duddy Avenue. The district was listed for its link to Waltham's industrial growth and for its well-preserved vernacular architecture.
Significance in brief: The district is described as a nearly intact reflection of Waltham's industrial heritage and the housing for its mid-to-late 19th century workers. It illustrates the westward growth of the city's neighborhoods and is associated with the Irish community. The four houses are also well-preserved examples of vernacular workers' housing.
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 89001503, listed September 28, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 128--144 Charles St., Waltham |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 28, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001503 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential; general condition is described as fair. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.37386, -71.24301 (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 89001503.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5082723
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.