Fletcher, Jonathan, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1834-35 for Jonathan Fletcher, this shingled house at 283 High Street in Medford sits on a deep half-acre lot behind a retaining wall of rock-faced granite with pyramid-topped gateposts. It is a three-bay by four-bay side-hall house whose gable-end entrance faces the street at a right angle, giving a pedimented effect. Federal features such as narrow cornerboards and second-floor windows close to the cornice mix with Greek Revival form. The main entrance, window surrounds, shutters and interior doors were adapted from plates in books by Asher Benjamin. The land once belonged to an industrial area that included a tannery, leather shop and slaughterhouse; Fletcher's purchase turned it residential, and part of an earlier dwelling may survive as the rear ell. One of only four buildings nearby to keep its original large lot, the property also retains its early granite wall and steps. A two-story addition dates from 1925.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as a significant Medford example of the transition between Federal and Greek Revival styles. Its entrance and many interior details were adapted from designs by Asher Benjamin. It is also one of only four buildings in its area to keep its original large, rocky lot, and its granite wall and gateposts contribute to the early nineteenth-century streetscape.
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 75000274, listed June 23, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 283 High St., Medford |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | June 23, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75000274 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1835 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival with Federal transitional elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent or good condition as a private residence; a two-story addition was made in 1925 and dormers and a porch were added later. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.42172, -71.12268 (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 75000274.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6273118
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.