No. 6107 77 Alban Street, photograph April 18, 2005.
Date of construction: 1895
Architect: Harrison Atwood
In the appendix to The Second Settlement, Shand-Tucci cites an inspection report from 1895 – Harrison Atwood architect, James Pope builder, S. Stein owner, est. cost to build $6500
The following is from: Ashmont by Douglass Shand-Tucci, p. 92
… and 77 Alban, the Stein-Norris House (one house removed from 91 Alban), a single-family house built for a relative of Atwood’s who was endowed with this miniature Colonial Revival mansion, were designed by Harrrison Atwood, Sr., of whom more soon. Later, 77 was the home of E.J. Norris, the president of the Educational Publishing Company.
The following is from: Codman Square House Tour Booklet 1999
No. 77 Alban Street is a formal, symmetrical example of the Colonial Revival style, in which classically-derived detail—columns, pilasters, and pediments—bedeck a simple cubic volume whose dormered roof is crowned with a balustrade. The rough stonework of the exposed front foundation indicates that an open porch once spanned the façade.
The following is from: Ashmont Hill Association House Tour Guide, Sunday, May 22, 1977
This 1895 Colonial Revival house is one of the few that retains its widow’s walk. Architect Harrison Atwood, whose elegant home at the top of the hill is on the tour, designed this house and the two houses to the left as well.
Dorchester Atlases show owners:
1894 no house on the lot
1898 Sophie Stein
1904 Sophie Stein
1910 Sophie Stein
1918 Sophie Stein
1933 Louise LaSares
Deed
October 24, 1890 from George D. Welles to Edwin J. Lewis, Jr., 1963.187 lots 237,238,239 & 240
April 30, 1895 from Edwin J. Lewis, Jr. to Sophie Stein 2272.440 lots 237 & 238
parcel of land
Boston Directory
1895 Sophia Stein, widow of John A., h. Talbot Av.
1896 Sophia Stein, widow of John A., h. Alban
Dorchester Blue Books
1894 no residents listed
1896 the Steins are listed on Alban but without a house number (in 1894 Mrs. J.A. Stein was listed on Argyle Street)
1900 Residents were Mrs. J. A. Stein, The Misses Stein
1902 Residents were Mrs. J. A. Stein, The Misses Stein
1904 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Norris
1906 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Norris
1908 Residents were Mr. & mrs. Edward J. Norris
1910 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Norris
1913 Resident was Mr. Edward J. Norris
1915 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Norris
Census 1900
Sophia Stein, 63, widowed
Edmund Stein, 30, printer
Lucie Stein, 28, dressmaker
Eugina Stein, 26
Lillian Stein, 22, Clerk, probate court
Census 1910
Edward J. Norris, 58, widowed, publisher of school supplies
Lena Norris, 32, asst treasurer, office
Louise Norris, 30, artist, illustrator
Irma Norris 26, book keeper, factory
Helen Norris, 24, milliner, at home
Edward J. Norris Jr., 9
Lillian Scudder, 28, daughter of Edward
Lillian Scudder, , grand daughter
Catherine Leahy, 23, servant