No. 9328 129 Babson Street, photograph March 31, 2007.
Date of construction: probably 1840s
MACRIS BOS.5663
Historic Name: Thompson, Charles H. Double House
Year Constructed: R 1814
Architectural Style(s): Italianate Use(s):
BOS.EK: Saint Angela’s – Babson Street
BOS.5662
Norfolk School House
129 Babson Street
Boston Dorchester Mattapan
Greek Revival
Public School undetermined
The following is from St. Angela’s / Babson Street area form from Boston Landmarks Commission prepared as part of 1994 Survey of Dorchester. Dated March, 1995 and recorded by Edward W. Gordon.
More substantial Italianate housing is located closer to the Mattapan Square commercial district at 127 / 129 Babson Street, a Greek Revival Italianate duplex with a heavy granite block foundation, paired entries, pedimented dormer, and wide Doric corner boards.
The Greek Revival Charles H. Thompson House at 127/129 Babson Street appears to date to the 1840s.
The following is from the 1978 Boston Landmarks Commission survey:
Norfolk School house on 1850 map – possibly moved south on lot.
Italianate double house with ornate porch and large bays; rear wing; heavy corner pilasters – School Greek Revival 2 Bay deep entrance on gable end; large windows with early sash. Alteration: house sided on two sides; windows reduced on two sides. On high lot – School shed on outcropping to west of house; house faces to side (south); small school building appears intact and may be one of the earliest in the survey area. The larger building also said to have been a school has been significantly altered. Both buildings on site are possibly early school buildings. If so, both are rare survivals to study area.
After further research the school may be considered for some form of designation or recognition. It could use protection and funding for maintenance. The owner should be made aware of the architectural signiticance of his property and hopefully unsympathetic alterations in the name of improvements will cease. Source—conversation with Arthur J. Porter, owner. Mr. Porter has deeds, letters about property.
Owners from maps and atlases
1831 none
1850 Norfolk School House
1858 School
1874 Thompson Hrs
1884 Chas. H. Thompson
1889 A. Thompson
1894 Almira Thompson
1898 Almira Thompson
1904 Almira Thompson
1910 Ellen M. Thompson
1918 Ellen M. Thompson
1933 Ellen Putnam
Deed
May 21, 1869 from Town of Dorchester to Charles H. Thompson 379.190
9784 ft and being the lot known and used as the Norfolk School House lot