Cutter, Ephraim, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1803-04 by miller Ephraim Cutter, this Federal style house at 4 Water Street is one of the few houses of its period left in Arlington Center. It is a rectangular, 2½-story clapboard building with a hip roof, two large chimneys, six-over-six windows and a five-bay facade. In 1915 it was turned 90 degrees and moved back 75 feet to face Water Street, formerly Mill Lane, which led to Cutter's mill, the oldest watermill in the area. A front porch with fluted columns and a pediment was added at that time. The original rear entrance keeps its six-panel door and a bull's eye glass pane. Cutter inherited his father's grist mill in 1795, built a new dam and mill, and became a prosperous miller and church deacon. His family included Dr. Benjamin Cutter, a medical society founder whose research informed Arlington's first published history. Today the building houses the Arlington Advocate, the town's oldest newspaper, published continuously since 1872.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with the Cutter family, early millers in Menotomy (Arlington), and as one of the few houses of its period remaining in Arlington Center. Ephraim Cutter inherited the family grist mill and built the house in 1804 after prospering as a miller.
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 78000430, listed March 29, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4 Water St., Arlington |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | March 29, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000430 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1804 |
| Architect / builder | Ephraim Cutter |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent or good condition and occupied; it is now the home of the Arlington Advocate newspaper. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Within district | Arlington Center Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 42.41644, -71.15483 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 78000430.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5382257
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.