Salem-Auburn Streets Historic District
Why it's listed
Salem Street and Auburn Street in Cambridgeport contain the oldest surviving houses in that part of Cambridge. The district covers about two acres between Pearl and Brookline Streets and was drawn to include properties from the early nineteenth century. The settlement first grew around Lafayette Square and a meetinghouse north of Massachusetts Avenue, and little building took place to the south until after 1850. Most houses are modest in scale, many are workers' cottages, and they sit along narrow streets that keep the feel of a small village. Styles are largely late Georgian, mixed with Federal and Greek Revival designs and a few later Italianate touches. Examples include a low-gabled cottage at 107 Auburn Street from 1803 and a Greek Revival three-story house with sidelights at 119 Auburn Street. The standout is 15 Salem Street, a rare two-story Federal brick house. The area remains privately owned, residential and in good condition.
Significance in brief: The district holds the oldest houses remaining in Cambridgeport. Its small buildings and narrow streets keep the village character of the area in the early nineteenth century. It includes a rare two-story Federal brick house at 15 Salem Street and a pair of modest workers' cottages from 1803-1804.
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 82001975, listed April 13, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Salem and Auburn Sts., Cambridge |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | April 13, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001975 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1800-1845 |
| Architectural style | Largely Georgian, with Federal, Greek Revival and Italianate examples |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as uniform in good condition, privately owned and in residential use. |
| Acreage | 1.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.36282, -71.10345 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 82001975.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7404015
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.