West Newton Hill Historic District, Historic district in West Newton, Massachusetts.
West Newton Hill Historic District is a roughly 36-acre residential neighborhood with 58 houses displaying Queen Anne, Shingle, and Colonial Revival architectural features. The buildings sit across an area bounded by Highland Avenue, Lenox Street, Hampshire Street, and Chestnut Street.
The area developed following the Boston and Worcester Railroad opening in 1834, then saw major building between 1880 and 1900. The rail line made it possible for wealthier Boston residents to settle in this suburban location.
The tree-lined streets showcase homes from the late 1800s in varied architectural styles that define how a wealthy suburb of that era looked and felt. Walking through the neighborhood reveals Victorian-era houses and a bronze sculpture by Anne Whitney placed in a community garden.
The district is best explored on foot to see the details of individual houses and experience how the streets flow. Visitors should expect hilly terrain and plan time to walk through the different street sections at a leisurely pace.
The house at 12 Valentine Street stands out because it incorporates timber from an early farmhouse once owned by Lawson Valentine. This makes it one of the oldest structures in the area, with visible remains connecting it to an earlier settlement period.
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