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