House at 26 Francis Avenue
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Set into a hill on a corner lot in Wakefield's Greenwood neighborhood, this octagonal house at 26 Francis Avenue dates from about 1907 to 1922. It rests on high fieldstone foundations and is clad in shingles, with shingled pilasters marking the corners. The entrance sits on the diagonal at the lot corner, recessed beneath a column-supported porch. A hip roof with flared eaves and exposed rafters is broken by a wide dormer with diamond-paned sash centered over the porch. The house is one and a half stories at the front and two at the rear. Its design blends Rational Revival, Shingle Craftsman and Bungalow features, and it is considered unique in Wakefield. The unusual form suggests an architect or gifted amateur rather than a contractor, unlike most Greenwood houses. Francis Avenue was part of Greenwood Park, an 1889-95 development, and growth followed streetcar service to Boston in 1892. The house retains its integrity and was listed for its local architectural importance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is unique in Wakefield as an octagonal dwelling and meets Criterion C at the local level. Its design combines Rational Revival, Shingle Craftsman and Bungalow elements and suggests an architect or talented amateur rather than a contractor. It also reflects the development of Greenwood after streetcar service arrived.
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 89000701, listed July 6, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 26 Francis Ave., Wakefield |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 6, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000701 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Rational Revival/Neo Colonial; combines Rational Revival, Shingle Craftsman and Bungalow elements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recorded in good condition with no major alterations; in use as a dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.48352, -71.06236 (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 89000701.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5914191
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.