34 Carruth Street

,

No. 20287 34 Carruth Street, photograph March 31, 2020.
No. 20286 34 Carruth Street, photograph March 31, 2020.
No. 20247 34 Carruth Street, photogrph March 26, 2020.

 

Date of construction: 1884 – deed from Herbert Carruth to Abbie Evans in May, 1884, is for land with the buildings thereon

Architect: Arthur Vinal – mentioned in published material, but no cited reference

Style: Queen Anne

Building permit: none found

This house at the corner of Carruth and Fairfax Streets appears to have been built for Herbert Carruth, who sold it to Abbie and Thomas Evans in 1884.  Evans was an advertising agent.  The Evans sold the property to John B. Stowell in 1887. Stowell was a stock broker.  Alice and Walter P. Rankin bought it in 1905.

The following is from: Ashmont: An Historical Guide to Peabody Square, Caruth’s Hill, and Ashmont Hill and the Architecture of Edwin J. Lewis, Jr. and John A. Fox. By Paul Douglass Shand-Tucci.  Dorchester, Dorchester Historical Society, 1991. p. 31-32

Immediately, a most spectacular house claims our attention, on the near corner of Carruth and Fairfax.  The Stowell-Rankin House, 34 Carruth, takes its name for its first owner, John B. Stowell, “well known,” according to the Boston Transcript, in the city’s “banking and brokerage circles,” and from a later owner, Joseph Rankin, treasurer of the International Leather Company.  Built ca. 1885 by an architect not yet identified, the house has as its chief distinction the magnificent front porch, which spreads out graciously all around the house and culminates in a marvelous covered corner gazebo.  “Born on the Fourth of July,” as they say: this is a gloriously American porch, a fine example of the Victorian front sitting porch, which few realize is an innovation of nineteenth-century American architecture.  It is a feature, unfortunately, that the telephone and radio, then automobile traffic and televisions, and now air conditioning have rendered more decorative than useful, but the porch at 34 Carruth even today often shelters, of all lovely things, a hammock.  What more telling insight could there be to the sylvan charms of Victorian Ashmont!

The following is from the inventory form for Carruth Street – Peabody Square, Boston Landmarks Commission.

34 Carruth Street was built ca.1885 for banker and broker John B. Stowell. During the early 20th century it was owned by Joseph Rankin, treasurer of the International I ParherCompany.This house’s architect has not yet been identified.

The following is from  the Dorchester Historical Society’s Dorchester House Tour Ashmont/Carruth Street Neighborhood, June 11, 2017

Year built: c. 1885

Architect: Unknown

Style: Shingle Style/Colonial Revival

Designed by an unknown architect, 34 Carruth is a compelling design that combines Shingle Style and Colonial Revival features. The Carruth Street facade is dominated by a broad gable that projects over and shelters the four-window bay on the second floor. A similar four-window oriel on the third floor projects even more, and is itself tucked under the peak of the main gable. Decorated brackets support these successive projections, and subtle changes in shingle patterns pull together this fascinating composition, which has a decidedly Shingle Style feel. The Fairfax Street facade with its crisp third-floor dormers is more Colonial Revival in flavor. The inviting columned porch, which wraps two sides of the house and swells into a gazebo-like form at the corner, may be the most appealing and enjoyable exterior feature.

The Colonial Revival comes to the fore in the interior. It is first introduced in the extraordinary living hall, in the broad elliptical arch with reeded detailing that spans the space and springs from fluted pilasters, and also in the mantelpiece of the corner fireplace. An alcove next to the front door is set behind an arched opening with a lattice screen and features a stained glass window of a peculiar abstract pattern typical of the 1880s; there are cubbies for shoes below the built-in bench. Richly-paneled cherry wainscoting lines the hall. But the most striking feature here is the dramatic staircase. Note its double-twist newel post and the three styles of twisted balusters; this rich level of detail carries all the way up to the third floor. The landing has a built-in bench and a stained glass transom.

The spacious dining room is lit by one of several care-fully-sourced antique light fixtures found by the owners; a modernized kitchen is accessed through a butler’s pantry. The elegant living room is almost eclipsed by the impressive grandeur of the adjoining spaces. Upstairs, there are several large and bright bedrooms on the second and third floors. The master suite is particularly lovely, with its orange blossom fireplace tiles, along with a clawfoot tub bath and sun porch en suite.

The owners report that they wooed the former owner for a year before he agreed to sell the house, which was then an illegal rooming house with a third-floor rental. This extraordinary house was most fortunate in its new owners; over the intervening 23 years they have transformed it into a comfortable home and showplace for their collection of distinctive art and furnishings.

Street history:

entry for Carruth Street in

A Record of the Streets, Alleys, Places, Etc., in the City of Boston. (Boston, 1910).

Carruth Street, Dor., 1869; from 239 Ashmont Street to 412 Codman Street [now Gallivan Boulevard]; laid out, Aug. 12, 1869.  Plan in city Engineering Department L976.

Notes

Note that although the Codman Square House Tour booklet cited below mentions that the house was designed by Arthur Vinal, no documentation to support that seems to be available.  The house appears to have been built by 1884, but after the atlas for 1884 was published.  The Boston Directory for 1884 shows an entry for Thomas C. Evans at the corner of Carruth and Fairfax.  Abbie Evans, wife of Thomas, acquired the property in May, 1884 from Herbert S. Carruth, and the deed says “with the buildings thereon.”  The house does not appear on the1884 map but does on the 1889 map. 

Note also that although Shand Tucci mentions that Walter Rankin is the second owner of the house, he was the third.  He was treasurer of the International Leather Company. This company does not seem to have been large, and it would be easy to think Rankin was higher in the income scale than he probably was.  Rankin is listed variously in resident listings and other records listed below, as treasurer, salesman, manufacturer.  In fact, he seems to have had his business in an office in Boston, and he may have been the sole employee.  The property was deeded from Anne Stowell to Alice Rankin in December, 1905.

The following is from: Codman Square House Tour Booklet 2001

Year Built: 1885

Architect: Arthur Vinal

Style: Queen Anne

Fairly quiet in it overall massing, 34 Carruth Street is dominated by its strong front-gabled façade but the glory of the exterior, resides in its magnificent front porch, which extends across the width of the elevation only to burst into a gazebo-like octagonal pavilion at the right corner, overlooking Fairfax Street.  In an age before air conditioning, there can have been few more inviting places to wile away a summer afternoon.  For that matter, it is mighty inviting even today.

Inside, a large living hall occupies the left corner of the plan.  Immediately alongside the entry is a recessed alcove set within an arched lattice screen enclosing an abstract-patterned stained-glass window in rich shades of olive, gold, red and blue.  A broader, elliptical arch with reeded detailing spans the space above a Colonial Revival mantel with fluted columns.  To the left rises a cascading stair with double-twist newel post and concave- and convex-turned balusters rises past a landing window with stained-glass transom.  To the right of the hall lies a spacious living room, behind which is the dining room.  If the Arts and Crafts style of its mantel seems a bit later than the olive and oxblood hearth tiles, that’s because it was added in 1898—as revealed by a paper label on the back discovered by the present owner.  Beyond the dining room to the left rear the original pantry connects to a bright, modern kitchen.

Upstairs is an abundance of large and well-lit bedrooms, none more appealing than the master suite with its orange-blossom fireplace tiles, clawfoot-tub bath and sun porch en suite.

Owners’ names from atlases

1884 no building; land owned by Heirs of Nathan Carruth

1889 Jno. B. Stowell

1894 John B. Stowell

1898 John B. Stowell

1904 John B. Stowell Hrs.

1910 Alice M. Rankin

1918 Alice M. Rankin

1933 Alice M. Rankin

deed

May 10, 1884 from Herbert Schaw Carruth to Abbie S. Evans, wife of Thomas C. Evans  1637.58

parcel of land with the buildings thereon

Oct 28, 1887 from Thomas C. Evans & ux, to John B. Stowell  1795.573  Dorch Carruth & Fairfax Sts, lot 11, pl. 1608.234

parcel of land with the buildings thereon

Jan. 8, 1892 Herbert S. Carruth Dorch Fairfax & pc ad. plan, book 2037 p. 302                 

deed for stables association

Dec. 2, 1905 Anne E. Stowell to Alice M. Rankin ux  3089.46 Dorch Carruth & Fairfax Sts, lot 11, pl. 1608.234 

Boston Directory

1883 Thomas C. Evans, advertising agent, Tremont Temple, rms 2, 4, and 8, house at Hyde Park

1884 Thomas C. Evans, advertising agent, 294 Washington, h. Carruth, cor. Fairfax, Dor.

1884 John B. Stowell, stock broker, 66 Devonshire, and 26 Congress square, h. 65 Clifford

1885 John B. Stowell, stock broker, 66 Devonshire, and 26 Congress sq. h. 65 Clifford

1886 John B. Stowell, stock broker, 82 Devonshire, h. 65 Clifford

1887 John B. Stowell, stock broker, 82 Devonshire, h. 65 Clifford

1888 John B. Stowell, stock broker, 82 Devonshire, h. Carruth

1889 John B. Stowell, stock broker, 82 Devonshire, h. Carruth

1890 John B. Stowell & Son, stock broker (Henry B), 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

1891 John B. Stowell & Son, stock broker (Henry B), 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

1892 John B. Stowell & Son, (Henry B), stock brokers, 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

1893 John B. Stowell & Son, (Henry B), stock brokers, 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

1894 John B. Stowell & Son, (Henry B), stock brokers, 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

1895 John B. Stowell & Son, (Henry B), stock brokers, 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

1896 John B. Stowell & Son, (Henry B), stock brokers, 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

1897 John B. Stowell & Son, (Henry B), stock brokers, 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

1898 John B. Stowell & Son, (Henry B), stock brokers, 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

1899  in bold: John B. Stowell & Son, (Henry B), bankers and brokers, 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

also advertisement on page 2510 but pages 2503-2518 are missing from this copy of the directory

1900 in bold: John B. Stowell & Son, (Henry B), bankers and brokers, 82 Devonshire, h. 34 Carruth

also advertisement on page 2507

1916 Boston Directory

Walter P. Rankin, treas, 89 Beach, rm 203s, h 34 Carruth

Census 1900, 34 Carruth Street

John B. Stowell, 65, b. Maine, 1835   married 1866    occupation broker

Annie E. Stowell, 60, b. Massachusetts, 1840

Alice, b. Massachusetts, 32 [must be 2], 1868

Emma Johnson, servant, 32, b. 1868 [!]

Anna Johnson, servant, 30, b. 1870 [!]

Census 1910, as Walter O. Rankin

Walter O. Rankin, 32, b. in Vermont, occupation Leather own account

Alice M. Rankin, 32, b. in Mass

Marjorie, 6, b. in Mass.

Andrew M., 4, b. in Mass.

Walter M., 4, b. in Mass.

Kenneth M., 2, b. in Mass.

Emma L. Hanson, servant, housework, 28, b. in New Hampshire

Nora T. Driscoll, servant, housework, 31, b. in Ireland

Marriage

Walter P. Rankin, 08 May 1901, to Alice L. Meserve

Walter was living at 516 Commonwealth Avenue, occupation: Leather Manfr Board

Alice was living at 515 Beacon Street

Census 1920, 34 Carruth Street

Walter P. Rankin, 41, born in Vermont, homeowner, occupation Treasurer of Leather Co

Alice Rankin, 421, born in Massachusetts

Marjorie, 16, b. in Mass

Andrew M., 14, b. in Mass

Walter M., 14, b. in Mass

Kenneth M., 11, b. in Mass

Census 1930, 34 Carruth Street

Walter P. Rankin, 52, b. in Vermont, occupation Manufacturer, Leather Board

Alice M. Rankin, 51, b. in Mass

Andrew M. Rankin, 24, b. in Mass, occupation Clerk Road Building

Kenneth R. Rankin, 22, b. in Mass, occupation Commercial Salesman selling Candy

1940 Census, 34 Carruth

Walter Rankin, 62, b. in Vermont, occupation Owner Head fibres [?] or herd fibres?

Alice Rankin, 62, b. in Mass.

Draft Registration 1942

Walter P. Rankin, age 64, b. St. Johnsbury, Vermont on March 26, 1878 m. to Alice M. Rankin.  Company: The International Leather Co., 89 Beach Street, Boston, MA

World War I draft card

Walter Poland Rankin, 34 Carruth Street, born March 26, 1878, treasurer The Cushman Rankin International Leather Co. at 89 Beach Street, Boston.  Medium height, medium build, green eyes, brown hair

Tax lists City Archives

1883   

1918    Ward 20 part C index says p. 591, which is screen 95          

residents from Blue Books

1885-86 this Blue Book does not have street number for Carruth Street, but Thomas C. Evans is listed on Carruth Street at Beaumont Street.

1894  Mr. & Mrs. John B. Stone  [should be Stowell?]

1896 Mr. & Mrs. John B. Stone; H. B. Stowell

1898 Mr. & Mrs. John B. Stowell

1900 Mr. & Mrs. John B. Stowell

1902 Mr. & Mrs. John B. Stowell

1904 Mr. & Mrs. John B. Stowell

1906 Mr. & Mrs. Walter P. Rankin

1908 Mr. & Mrs. Walter P. Rankin

1910 Mr. & Mrs. Walter P. Rankin

1913 Mr. & Mrs. Walter P. Rankin

1915 Mr. & Mrs. Walter P. Rankin

Census 1900

John B. Stowell, 64, broker, born in Maine in 1835

Annie E. Stowell, 59, wife

Alice Stowell, 32, daughter

Emma Johnson, 32, servant

Anna Johnson, 30, servant

Boston Residents Lists aged 20 and older as of April 1st

entries for 34 Carruth Street

Note that if there is no previous address, the list indicates the person lived at this address the year before

Ward 24 Pct 4

1909    Walter P. Rankin, salesman, 31 years old

Ward 20 Pct 8

1922    Margaret Kelliher, housekeeper, 27 years old, move from 9 Cottage av

            Mary Kelliher, housekeeper, 25, moved from Ireland

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 45

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 45

1923    Winfred Karigan, cook 39, from 8 Monadnock

            Mary Kelligher, waitress, 24

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 44

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 45

1924    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 40

            Marjorie Rankin, student, 21

            Walter P. Rankin, salesman, 45

Ward 16 Pct 10

1925    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 45

            Marjorie Rankin, student, 21

            Walter P. Rankin, manufacturer, 47

1926    Ellen Moran, maid, 25

            Alice W. Rankin, housewife, 47

            Andrew Rankin, clerk, 20

            Marjorie, at home, 24

            Walter P. Rankin, clerk, 48

            Walter W. Rankin, clerk, 20

1927    Ward 16 not available online

1928    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 49

            Kenneth M. Rankin, student, 20

            Walter P. Rankin, manufacturer, 50

1929    not available online

1930    Lucy Goodblood, waitress, 36

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 51

            Andrew M. Rankin, technician, 24

            Kenneth M. Rankin, clerk, 22

            Walter P. Rankin, manufacturer, 52

1931    Alice Ranken [!], housewife, 52

            Walter P. Ranken [!], manager, 57 [!]

1932    Lucy Goodblood, maid, 38

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 53

            Walter R. [!] Rankin, manufacturer, 54

1933    Lucy Goodblood, maid, 39

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 54

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 55

1934    Lucy Goodblood, maid, 40

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 35 [!]

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 35 [!]

1935    Lucy Goodblood, maid, 41 – moved from Brookline

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 56

            Walter P. Rankin, merhcant, 56

1936    no entry for 34 Carruth Street

1937    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 58

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 58

1938    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 59

            Walter P. Rankin, manufacturer, 58

1939    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 60

            Walter P. Rankin, manufacturer, 60

1940    Margaret A. Griffin, domestic, 48 – moved from 4 Fairfax

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 61

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 61

1941    Margaret A. Griffin, domestic, 55

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 62

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 62

1942    Margaret  Griffin, maid, 48

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 63

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 63

1943    Margaret  Griffin, maid, 58

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 65

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 65

1944    Alice M. Romkin [!], housewife, 66

            Walter P. Romkin [!], manufacturer, 66

1945    Catherine Belden, domestic, 26 – moved from Florida

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 66

            Walter P. Rankin, clerk, 66

1946    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 67

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 67

1947    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 68

            Walter C. [!] Rankin, manufacturer, 68

1948    Clara Anderson, housekeeper, 59 – moved from 10 Dartmouth

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 69

            Walter P. Rankin, treasurer, 69

1949    Delia B. Connolly, domestic, 40 – moved from 11 Ticknor

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 68

            Walter P. Rankin, merchant, 72

1950    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 71

            Walter P. Rankin, merchant, 71

1951    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 72

            Walter P. Rankin, salesman, 72

1952    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 73

            Walter P. Rankin, retired, 73

1953    Mary Keady, maid, 22 – moved from Newton

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 74

            Walter P. Rankin, retired, 74

1954    Maureen Keady, housekeeper, 23

            Alice M. Rankin, at home, 75

            Walter P. Rankin, retired, 75

1955    Ward 16 Pct 9

            Maureen Keady, housewife, 24

            Alice M. Rankin, at home, 76

            Walter P. Rankin, retired, 76

1956    Maureen Keady, domestic, 22

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, 70

            Walter P. Rankin, retired, 78

1957    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, b. 1884

            Walter P. Rankin, retired, b. 1878

1958    Alice M. Rankin, housewife, b. 1884

            Walter P. Rankin, retired, b. 1878

1959    Catherine Mallard, housekeeper, b. 1896 – moved from 539 Talbot av

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, b. 1884

            Walter P. Rankin, retired, b. 1878

1960    Catherine Mallard, housekeeper, b. 1896

            Alice M. Rankin, housewife, b. 1884

            Walter P. Rankin, retired, b. 1878

1961    Mary E. Zarrillo, designer, b. 1926 – moved from 339 Dorchester S B

            Valentino Zarrillo, merchant, b. 1926 – moved from 339 Dorchester S B

1962    Mary S. Zarrillo, designer, b. 1926

            Valentine J. Zarrillo, merchant, b. 1926

1963    Antonio Zarrillo, retired, b. 1894

            Clementina Zarrillo,  housewife, b. 1900

            Mary S. Zarrillo, designer, b. 1926

            Valentino J. Zarrillo, merchant, b. 1926

1964    Antonio Zarrillo, retired, b. 1894

            Clementina Zarrillo,  housewife, b. 1900

            Mary S. Zarrillo, designer, b. 1926

            Valentino J. Zarrillo, merchant, b. 1926

1965    Antonio Zarrillo, retired, b. 1894

            Clementina Zarrillo,  housewife, b. 1900

            Mary S. Zarrillo, designer, b. 1926

            Valentino J. Zarrillo, merchant, b. 1926

1966    Mary S. Zarrillo, designer, b. 1926

            Valentino J. Zarrillo, merchant, b. 1926

Skills

Posted on

April 7, 2020