Harrison Square Historic District
Also known as: Clam Point Historic District
Why it's listed
Harrison Square, also called Clam Point, is a residential neighborhood in east central Dorchester, Boston, bounded by the railroad embankment, Morrissey Boulevard and several local streets. Development began in earnest after the Old Colony Railroad opened a depot there in the 1840s, drawing commuting businessmen, abolitionists, physicians and artists to large houses on spacious lots. Architect Luther Briggs, Jr. designed a dozen or more of these homes between 1840 and 1870, drawing on the ideas of Andrew Jackson Downing and Alexander Jackson Davis. Greek Revival and Italianate villas, some with mansard roofs, dominate the older streets. Around 1880, architect John A. Fox added Stick Style houses, and four later enclaves of modest Queen Anne homes were built for middle-income families. Granite gateposts, hedges and tree-shaded lawns survive, and window sash and building forms remain largely intact despite changes in siding. The district contains 141 contributing resources and documents a suburban community shaped by rail travel.
Significance in brief: The district is described as a largely intact mid-19th century commuter suburb of Greek Revival, Italianate and mansard houses, later joined by Stick Style and Queen Anne housing. It reflects the influence of Downing and Davis through the work of architects Luther Briggs, Jr. and John A. Fox. It is also tied to the Old Colony Railroad's arrival and to a community of merchants, abolitionists, professionals and artists.
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 02001190, listed October 22, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Bounded by MBTA Braintree line embankment, Park, Everett, Freeport, Mill, Asland, Blanche Sts., Victory Rd., Boston |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | October 22, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001190 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architect / builder | Luther Briggs, Jr.; John A. Fox; Isaac Shurman; Howard Brothers (contractors); D.L. Spaulding (contractor) |
| Architectural style | Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Italianate/Mansard, Stick Style, Queen Anne, Bungalow |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development, Landscape Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Houses remain in residential use, with some religious, education and commercial functions listed historically. Several mid-19th century houses have been demolished, and some are altered by reversible changes such as replaced siding. |
| Acreage | 28 |
| Coordinates | 42.30023, -71.05315 (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 02001190.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.