Harris, John, House and Farm
Also known as: Allandale Farm
Why it's listed
Allandale Farm, at 284 Newton Street in Brookline, centers on the John Harris House, a clapboard farmhouse believed to have been built by John Harris before 1788. Harris was a farmer and deputy sheriff, and the land had belonged to Robert Harris in 1655. The house was extensively remodelled in 1976, but earlier features such as beaming and a wide-tread staircase had indicated 18th century construction. Later the property was part of Faulkner Farm, an estate owned by Mary and Edward Brandegee, when the house served as a caretaker's cottage. The farm covers about 105 acres across Brookline and Boston and includes barns, sheds, greenhouses and a tenant's cottage, some used by a nursery school. It was privately farmed until 1968, then became a commercial enterprise. Set at the end of a dirt road about a third of a mile from the street, it keeps a rural character. It was listed as the last working farm in a town once based on agriculture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion A as the last working farm in Brookline, a town whose earliest economy was agricultural. The house is also one of a few 18th century houses in Brookline, though it was extensively remodelled in 1976. The setting far back from Newton Street preserves a rural atmosphere.
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 85003246, listed October 17, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 284 Newton St., Brookline |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | October 17, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85003246 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Probably built by John Harris (architect information not available) |
| Architectural style | Not applicable |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In present use as a residence, commercial farm and nursery school; farmhouse and one barn dramatically altered, other outbuildings relatively untouched. |
| Acreage | 105 |
| Coordinates | 42.30347, -71.13820 (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 85003246.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14715640
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.