Estabrook, Rufus, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1848 at 33 Woodland Road in Auburndale, this clapboard house is a well-preserved example of the Greek Revival sidehall form adapted for suburban living. It went up shortly after the North Auburn Dale Land Company began subdividing and developing the neighborhood in 1847, making it one of the earliest suburban residences there. Rufus Estabrook, a Boston broker, is believed to have been its first owner. The house keeps many hallmarks of its style: a full-width one-story Ionic portico, an entrance offset to the left with transom and sidelights, wide corner pilasters, pedimented dormers and six-over-six windows. Its most distinctive feature is the unusual openwork in the porch frieze. Old city atlases show that a barn once stood where the present garage is. The house has had no major alterations, remains a dwelling in very good condition, and was listed for its early role in Auburndale's suburban growth and its architectural quality.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the earliest suburban residences built in Auburndale after the North Auburn Dale Land Company began subdividing and developing the area in 1847. It is also an excellent, well-preserved example of the Greek Revival sidehall type of suburban house. It is justified under Criteria A and C.
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 86001795, listed September 4, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 33 Woodland Rd., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 4, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001795 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is a dwelling; condition is described as very good, with no major alterations and not moved. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.34424, -71.25191 (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 86001795.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7378030
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.