Sunday, February 12, 2012

Other Side of the Tracks


One of my goals for this year (not related to the house), is to find more balance in my life.  It will probably mean a little less working and blogging and more healthy eating and exercising.  So after my morning oatmeal, I did some time on my elliptical, cleaned up the house and then took a walk on the other side of the tracks in Cambridge.  I took my camera so I could share.

By the "other side of the tracks," I mean the old part of the city first settled in 1630 and where Harvard College started in 1636.  Prior to the Revolutionary War, wealthy merchants who remained loyal to Britain--referred to as Loyalists or Tories--owned estates that lined  Brattle Street, also referred to Tory Row.


This is one of the Loyalist's homes built in 1767.  He was run out of town and the house was seized during the Revolution.  Some of the estates had over 100 acres of land at time but today this home sits on three acres, still a huge lot for the city.

Here are some of the other homes in the area.



Bronze scupltures placed alongside the driveway of one of the home.



This one was recently renovated top to bottom.  Could use a little landscaping but it's gorgeously done.


Check out the detail on the gable fascia



You'll notice several of these houses have a painted chimney with a black band around the top.  These are often referred to as "tory chimneys."  It's unlikely that anyone would have so blatantly advertised they were loyal to Britain.  It seems like more a design element that was either fashionable at some time or done to visually break up the massive chimneys.


As you'll notice, many of them have spectacular fences.  A fence company told me that Cambridge holds some record for the most fence per square mile but think that's a joke.  Maybe.


Notice the shiplapped siding on the front that makes a smooth stone-like surface.  I thought this was used on Greek Revivals to make them look more like stone temples but I've also seen it on older Colonials so I'm not sure what the idea was. 


I love this house.  I guess this would be Queen Anne style?


Another Torey chimney.


Love the lawn art.


This Old House fans might remember this mid-Century modern house that renovated on the show.  It does seem a little odd tucked in between all these Colonial and Victorian homes but it's a great house.



Close up of the front.


Gorgeous old beech tree in this front yard.



Couldn't resist taking this photo.





I've always wanted to have a house with a curved driveway.



Even on the quiet side streets, the houses are really charming.  This one was built around the same time as mine.  I'm not sure I would have the guts to try that color but it's beautiful.



A great salt box dated 1765.


Detail of the salt box.



So that's the other side of town.  I hope you enjoyed tagging along.  

72 comments:

  1. Good Morning - that was a most refreshing walk and I am going to re-read it, does that count as a walk and will I burn calories. Hee Hee.
    The architecture is stunning and so varied. I learned about the Tory black band, how fascinating.
    Thank you and as always you write a most interesting blog.
    Helen xx

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  2. LOVE the mid-century house!! You've given me lots of inspirations this morning, since one of my goals for this coming spring and summer is to put up a fence! We don't need it to keep things in or out, but to demarcate our new flagstone walkway. I don't even know if we'd do a gate, but a fence would be perfect.

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  3. Oh I loved this tour. And look at how green the lawns are!! Middle of winter in Boston!! Yikes~anyhow, the homes are beautiful. I will never tire of looking at old houses of all types. I love the fences too~the one with granite pillars and wood rails was really incredible.

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  4. Oh the first house looks a little spooky, it reminds me of the houses in Hopper's paintings. And whilst I usually favour old houses, that first midcentury modern is indeed a great house.
    My own area is pretty similar date wise but with large sandstone walls and hedges around blond and red sandstone houses. I would love a clapboard house.

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  5. Beautiful side of town! I always like to see other parts and what their homes look like, thanks for the tour!

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  6. Great walk Steve. My husband and I have enjoyed many moments strolling around Cambridge but haven't been there in two years so this was fun to see. I love older homes probably why we live in one they just have a certain ambience.

    XX
    Debra~

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  7. I love walking around looking at old houses. I've never been to Cambridge so it was nice to get a mini tour.
    I want to do the same in my town but it'll have to wait until Spring. I am a big sissy about cold weather.

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  8. Beautiful! I do remember the modern home on this old house. It is an odd location. The great landscaping really helps soften the modern sharp edges.

    I agree I really LIKE the color of the green house.

    Thank you for the tour. I'm stuck inside for the second day do to a snow storm so it's really nice to feel like I took a walk. I'm going to go back and study them again.

    Kathy

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  9. I love old houses so much. I learned when I lived in a Craftsman 1916 cottage that old houses need a lot of care. So I don't live in an old house now but I love them immensely. Thank you for sharing these images!

    Dixie

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  10. Geez...Now I could do that kinda walk All.Day. Long. Beautiful architecture...now I want to see the insides! Can you do one of those walks at dusk when the lights are on....with a high zoom lens?


    stalk much, Linda?

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  11. Thanks for the tour! Sometimes, isn't it a little overwhelming to think about all the people that have walked that same route before you? lol...I would get so caught up in the history...like passing through the ghosts of history. You are a lucky guy to live there.
    **Tami

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  12. what a lovely walk we have had. I feel both educated and invigorated. Seriously, very interesting. Who in the world of the "people" standing by that driveway? seems an odd choice, so there must be a great story.

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  13. Thanks for the home tour! I LOVE the mid-century modern home. I actually have three photos of it from This Old House pinned on Pinterest! The large white house in the 7th photo is lovely, including its fence/gate. A couple of the houses are a little spooky looking ... they'd make good settings for a scary movie.
    Claudia

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  14. My friend from Falmouth is visiting and I'm whining that we need to go visit Cambridge next time I come up to the Cape.

    How beautiful the "wrong" side of the tracks must be in the spring/summer.

    xo jane

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  15. thanks for the tour. i'm about ready to go on my morning tour also. have a great week steveo!

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  16. I miss Cambridge. I used to take that same walk - I loved nothing more than walking and discovering all the beautiful houses, big and small, in that wonderful town.

    xo
    Claudia

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  17. Great collection of old homes + 1 newish (can't believe I remember that one from This Old House). Glad I stumbled onto your blog!

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  18. Thanks for the tour! It's been a long time since I've been on Brattle St . . . I do remember the TOH renovation, they did a stunning job! As for the green, I really like it too!

    Keep warm!

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  19. Thank you so much for taking us along on your walk this morning, Steve. I love the photos with your observations of the details I might otherwise have missed. What a pleasure.
    I hope the remainder of your day is as purposeful and pleasant as its beginning.
    Linda in Virginia

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  20. Beautiful homes! I love the history and established neighbourhood. I live on an acreage in an area where they are all new, and more are coming. While it holds its own appeal, I yearn for character and history, as this is my favorite type of neighborhood to live in =)

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  21. This was such a lovely stroll you've taken us on. The mid century is a real beauty-very Frank Lloyd Wright-as a lover of old houses I'm really appreciating the modern mid century's lately. This was such fun.

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  22. What gorgeous homes! We Loyalists have great taste. Stephen wonders if we could go down and reclaim one of those houses, what do you think?

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  23. Thanks for taking us all on this "walk".
    I would do the same thing here but after driving to the bakery for my fritter, I decided it was too cold. Brrrr.
    AND the REALLY old homes in my town are in neighborhoods I would be too scared to walk through. (There are some beautiful ones down my block but I drive by them everyday.) Oh! and there are some gorgeous homes over in the old rich section part of town, but that's too hilly, I'd be exhausted...so THANKS for doing the walk!
    (My Favorite of course is the Mid-Century one but I'm loving the yellow one with the circular drive too.)

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  24. Found you on houseblogging. These houses are BEAUTIFUL! Must have made for a sweet morn' walk! Never heard of the 'tory chimney' but it's a fun little detail. Thanks for sharing!

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  25. Loved it! Thanks for the tour and a much needed history lesson. I love old homes and the people who keep them alive!

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  26. I'm thinking this more exercise thing is going to very good for all of us;)! Loved the tour and LOVED that beech tree- I would have gone up and hugged it. Seriously good energy! Their trunks always remind me of elephants.

    happy Sundy Steve!
    joan

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  27. Wow! I'll walk with you anytime. These houses are fantastic. Show us other parts of town. Loved it!

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  28. I could look at this architectural eye candy all day long!! What a beautiful walk that is- I love the early houses. The Queen Anne's and Colonial Revival's are very nice too. Definitely makes me want to visit that area (someday I will!).....

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  29. Great walking tour here. Such stately homes. I love that mid-century mod sitting unassumingly amongst the grandeur!

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  30. They are beautiful--thanks for sharing them.

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  31. These homes are SO beautiful, I absolutely love LOVE the door on the recently renovated house.. I liked the history lesson to, it makes the homes seem that much more interesting.

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  32. Incredible!

    I'm with Coconut- any chance you could get photos of those same homes with their lights on?

    Many, many thanks for the wonderful tour!

    Karla in CA.

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  33. Wonderful tour - I love the big white ones most. Love those banded chimneys. I always wonder who gets to live in these amazing homes...someone lucky for sure. What is the most lovely is all that yard together with the large homes...

    Great tour! Glad to hear I am not alone in my boring exercise routine (ugh). What a chore.

    I think I still owe you an email. I have been doing the same - living LIFE and not on the computer much.

    xo Terri

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  34. Cambridge has such a rich architectural heritage and history. Many moons ago, When I lived in North Cambridge, Sally and I used to love taking little tours like you did this morning on Sunday morning when all was quiet. There was something spiritual about them, as though you could feel the soul of the city. Our springtime excursions were our favorites. We always took in Mt. Auburn Cemetery when the rhodies were in bloom.

    Amen to finding and creating more balance in one's life. Hard to do when the world is so "connected" these days.

    Cheers,
    john

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  35. Wow, thanks for that tour...I'm drooling all over myself. I think the saltbox is my favourite though...visiting New England and seeing more of this is definitely on my 'bucket list'. Robx
    p.s Whilst I'm visiting my home town here in Melbourne, I have started to take some shots of inner city cottages and homes.

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  36. I love architecture and would so love to walk through your town with you. Thanks for taking us along...

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  37. Thank you for that tour and your guidance. They're all such magnificent houses. I especially loved the Queen Anne one and the Mid-Century one was too stunning! I gasped when I saw the photo of it.

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  38. THanks for taking us on a tour of the other side of town. Those homes are really amazing. Hope you take your camera along every time you go for a walk and continue to share.

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  39. Wow. How gorgeous. I love that you give a history lesson. All stuff I would have never known. I'm going to have my kids read this post :). Hope you have s great week.

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  40. What a treat!....thank you....smiles

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  41. I love that beautiful old white saltbox. I don't know what it is about that style that appeals to me so much - maybe just the simplicity of line and detail. Thanks for taking all of us along on your walk.

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  42. Hey, thanks for a tour down Memory Lane... I was born in Cambridge. Don't miss the traffic/lack of parking/high population concentration, though!

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  43. Having these beautiful houses to look at must be a great incentive to get out and walk. There are only a few interesting ones in my neighborhood including a Bart Prince spaceship house. Interesting but weird.

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  44. GORGEOUS! How I miss Cambridge, I lived in Inman for 11 years and miss my walks to the other side. I always felt so inspired after strolling through these streets. Thanks for the walking reminder!

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  45. Love all the different architectural styles. That's a pretty walk around historic Cambridge, nice post.

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  46. Life is rough in Cambridge, huh? I think my favorite part of the post was looking at all the varied fence designs. That, and the moss.
    Camille

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  47. What a treat! And good for you about the oatmeal & exercise. SO many gorgeous homes where you live - lucky you!

    P.S. I cannot resist taking pictures of moss either ;)

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  48. I loved the tour, Steve, especially that boldly green house. I also enjoyed seeing the close-up of the salt box — one can see in it that the window panes are very rippled.

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  49. Hi Steve, thanks for the tour! Cambridge is as lovely as I had imagined it to be. Best of luck to you in your strivings for balance. That is something we could all use in our lives. Have a sweet Valentine's Day!
    Anne

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  50. That is a wonderful walk & exercise! Love the details of the homes you pointed out. I am determined to add more balance to my life as well.

    Happy Valentines Steve!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  51. Thanks for the tour!

    Happy valentine's day!
    R

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  52. What a great post! Love, love the homes. Love them all! And the Torey chimney story. So interesting. We took our oldest son on college visits 3 times to the Boston area (so many great schools). Loved Cambridge and could only imagine how fab it would be to actually live in a home on one of those cozy little streets.

    Thanks again for taking your readers along on your walk!

    Sandy

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  53. Beautiful Homes! What an interesting jumble of styles on the "Queen Anne". Victorian siding and spindles, Tudor Revival, note the half timbering on the gable, crossed with Colonial Architecture, especially in layout. It reminds me of the House of the Seven Gables. That is, if the House of the Seven Gables were wearing some Victorian makeup!

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  54. Thanks so much. That was a treat. The houses are wonderful.

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  55. Wow - serious money! Some very beautiful houses, but those bronze sculptures look like the walking dead!

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  56. Thanks for the tour! I love old houses, and I love it when they are restored which is such a labor of love.
    I want that moss! Thanks for taking that picture.
    Have a great day!

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  57. Oh dahhling I so enjoyed the tour...beautiful houses!

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  58. Ooh thanks for all the mansards! Maybe ochre is one of the colors...

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  59. This was a real treat. I lived in Cambridge from '86 - 90 and I remember some of those home.

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  60. Great tour, Steve: I particularly love the bronze statues.

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  61. That's nice...but let's get down to what you said in the first paragraph....less blogging.....not an option for us. Eating right and getting exercise...go for it.

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  62. Thanks for taking us out for a walk with you. I loved the tour!
    Balance is my word for the year...I still haven't found it but I'm working on it.

    Happy Friday!

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  63. Hey...more oatmeal and exercise are on my list, too.
    Beautiful tour.

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  64. Thanks for the great tour of Cambridge! I only ever see these homes (and not many at that) driving by - it's nice to be able to really take a look!

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  65. Hello,
    Ran into you at "for the love of a house". Loved the fact that you had just poured a Bombay Saphire. I can't handle the hard stuff anymore, but very fun memories!
    Cheers, from Calidornia!

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  66. So glad I stumbled across this - loved to see these beautiful old homes!

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  67. Great pictures. I was thinking about your comment about ship-lapped siding on colonial homes. It is a very tight method of siding because one board fits securely into the next. It is seen a lot on barns or out buildings because it is largely weatherproof without any sheathing underneath. I imagine it was a lower cost way to build. I have heard that used vertically, it made a house appear taller, sort of like vertical stripes in clothes. Jennings is the colonial expert though, I'll ask him the next time I talk to him.

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