House at 5 Willow Court
Why it's listed
Built around 1874, this clapboard house at 5 Willow Court in Arlington is a Second Empire-style residence that began life on Massachusetts Avenue. It was moved to its present side-street site in the 1930s, a common fate for homes as the avenue developed commercially. Its original location is not known, which makes precise dating difficult. Although somewhat altered, the house is described as well preserved, with abundant decorative detailing, including eared surrounds on the upper windows. It was listed because the style is rare in Arlington and the house retains integrity of materials, design, feeling and association. The style also reflects the period when Arlington was changing from a rural community into a bustling, increasingly sophisticated Boston suburb. The architect is unknown. The house stands in a dense mix of residential and commercial buildings and remains in residential use today.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a well-preserved and rare example of the Second Empire style in Arlington, with much decorative detailing including eared window surrounds. Its style reflects Arlington's change from a rural community to a sophisticated Boston suburb. Its relocation off Massachusetts Avenue was typical of the avenue's commercial development.
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 85001038, listed April 18, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5 Willow Court, Arlington |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | April 18, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001038 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residence; the house was moved in the 1930s and is described as somewhat altered but well preserved. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Arlington Center Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 42.41700, -71.15862 (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 85001038.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5914435
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.