Luke, Arthur F., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1909 at 221 Prince Street in West Newton, this large, rambling house is a fine example of the rustic Craftsman style. It rises two and a half stories under a hip roof with three cross gables across the facade, and its walls are covered in shingle. Two fieldstone chimneys, one on the facade and one on the left side, add to the rustic look. A verandah runs from the entry to the right side, where it becomes a long pergola-type arbor. Leaded glass sidelights and first-story windows, along with upper windows set in groups of three, add further detail. Arthur F. Luke, a Boston banker, built the house; the architect is unknown. It is one of a number of substantial dwellings built on the southern slope of West Newton hill after Commonwealth Avenue opened in 1895, and it reflects the suburban growth of early 20th century Newton. The house has not been significantly altered and remains a residence.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an exceptionally well-detailed and early example of the rustic Craftsman style. It also represents Newton's early 20th century suburban growth, including infill of established areas and new subdivisions. It is one of several substantial dwellings built on the southern slope of West Newton hill after Commonwealth Avenue opened in 1895.
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 90000042, listed February 16, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 221 Prince St., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | February 16, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000042 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Craftsman |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Residential use, condition described as excellent, with no major alterations recorded. |
| Acreage | 1.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.33939, -71.22321 (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 90000042.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4798645
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.