Williams, F. G., House
Why it's listed
Built around 1860, this clapboard house at 37 Albion Street in Somerville stands on a sizeable corner lot and is still used as a residence. It follows a three-bay, center-entrance plan with a substantial rear ell. Its Italianate details include a center gable with a trefoil window in the peak, round-headed windows in the gable-end peaks, high bracketed window lintels, and a raking cornice with carved brackets. A projecting open porch with squared columns and pilasters shelters the entrance. The house was among the first built in the "Polly Swamp" area, in a subdivision laid out by the Stearnes family, who owned the land. Albion Street was once called Forest Place. Frank G. Williams, the mid-19th century owner, worked in Boston and dealt in kitchen furnishings. A nearby house at 137 Highland Avenue has identical fenestration and bracketing, suggesting the same builder. The house was recognized as an excellent local example of its style, with no alterations recorded.
Significance in brief: The house is described as one of the best preserved center-gable Italianate dwellings remaining in Somerville and retains its integrity. It is also linked to the mid-19th century development of the former "Polly Swamp" area, where it was one of the first houses built.
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 89001226, listed September 18, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 37 Albion St., Somerville |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 18, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001226 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Residential use, in excellent condition, with no major alterations and no outbuildings. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.39054, -71.10450 (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 89001226.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5423901
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.