Sawyer, C. A., House (Second)
Why it's listed
Built in 1919 at 86 Waban Avenue in Newton's Waban Village, this brick house was the second of three Waban homes built by C. Adrian Sawyer, Jr. of the Sawyer Construction Company. All three were designed by Derby & Robinson, a firm known for domestic Colonial architecture. The house is a finely detailed Colonial Revival design, with brick laid in Flemish bond, a slate gable roof with pedimented dormers, a beltcourse between the stories, and a symmetrical facade centered on an entry with a massive arched hood. Windows have splayed brick lintels, and a projecting wing and chimney extend from one side. A matching Flemish bond garage and a large landscaped lot accompany it. The house remains a residence in excellent condition with no major alterations. It was recognized for its architectural quality and as an example of early 20th century suburban growth in Newton, when established areas were filled in and new subdivisions developed.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an exceptionally well-detailed and well-preserved brick example of the Colonial Revival style by Derby & Robinson, an architectural firm noted for Colonial Revival domestic designs. It also represents Newton's early 20th century suburban growth, including infill of established areas and new subdivisions. It meets criteria A and C.
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 90000043, listed February 16, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 221 Prince St., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | February 16, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000043 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Derby & Robinson (architects); Sawyer Construction Company (builder) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential; condition is described as excellent with no major alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.32450, -71.23421 (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 90000043.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5006259
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.