House at 72R Dane Street
Why it's listed
Tucked behind 72 Dane Street in Somerville, this small house is a rare survivor from the colonial or early federal period. It is a four-bay, 1 1/2-story building with a gable roof and shingled walls, dated between about 1730 and 1800 on the basis of its style. Its simple millwork and low-pitched roof are the main clues to an eighteenth century origin. Nineteenth century maps show no building on the site, so the house was probably moved there in the late 1800s. The only recorded alteration is an added entrance porch, and the building is in good condition and still used as a residence. It sits in a densely built neighborhood of multifamily housing. The house was listed because it is well preserved and likely one of the earliest buildings in the city, retaining its design, workmanship and association. It was evaluated as significant at the local level for its architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the earliest residences surviving in Somerville, probably predating most houses in the city. It retains integrity of design, workmanship and association, and meets Criterion C and Exception B at the local level. Simple millwork and a low-pitched roof point to an eighteenth century date.
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 89001254, listed September 18, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 72R Dane St., Somerville |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 18, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001254 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Colonial/Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as good; present use is residential. An entrance porch has been added. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.37632, -71.10402 (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 89001254.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5914459
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.