Shattuck, Ralph W., House
Also known as: #441
Why it's listed
Built around 1875 at 274-276 Broadway in Arlington, this clapboard two-family house is a fine example of the double house, a housing type popular in the Mill Brook Valley in the middle of the 19th century. Its Italianate character shows in the generous brackets along the cornice, the deeply bracketed hood over the double front entrance, and the simple brackets around the windows. The only noted changes are rear ells added in the late 19th century, and the house remains in excellent condition. It was associated with Ralph W. Shattuck, who owned and ran Shattuck's Hardware, Arlington's oldest continuing business. His family was also involved in the hotel trade, and he took part in the town's real estate development. The house lies a few hundred feet from the town center and belongs to the Broadway Historic District, a local district established in 1981. It was listed for its architecture and its association with Shattuck.
Significance in brief: The house is described as one of the finest surviving examples of the mid-19th century double house, a housing form favored in the Mill Brook Valley. It is well preserved and retains its Italianate detailing. It is also linked to Ralph W. Shattuck, owner of Arlington's oldest continuing business, Shattuck's Hardware, who was also active in real estate 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 85002687, listed September 27, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 274--276 Broadway, Arlington |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 27, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002687 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in an excellent state of preservation and currently used as a two-family residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.41332, -71.14840 (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 85002687.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7288213
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.