Picture the elegant homes of Wedgemere Historic District. They stand proudly in Winchester Massachusetts. This remarkable neighborhood is one of the town’s largest surviving 19th-century residential subdivisions. It showcases a concentration of high-quality residences built between 1890 and 1920.
Wedgemere Historic District is located west of Winchester’s town center. It’s just east of Cambridge Street a major north-south artery. The district is bordered by Warren Street to the north. Wildwood and Fletcher Streets form its eastern boundary. Church Street marks its southern edge. Cambridge Street forms the western boundary excluding properties there.
Imagine a time before Wedgemere. In 1891 a syndicate led by local resident Frank Forsyth and Boston investors acquired 75 acres of land. Their dream of a beautiful residential development was nearly derailed by the Panic of 1893. This financial crisis resulted in the syndicate’s dissolution. Despite the setback the vision of Wedgemere lived on.
Over the following decades houses rose on the land. The early homes reflected the Colonial Revival style with Queen Anne influences. The Rice House at 10 Oxford Street circa 1893 and the Davis House at 6 Calumet Road circa 1893 exemplify this era. By the 1910s Craftsman style homes became popular. The Nickerson House at 25 Calumet Road built in 1912 is a prime example. A unique touch is added by the Spanish Revival Lombard House at 105 Church Street built in 1908.
Wedgemere Historic District’s houses are impressive. They sit on large grassy lots showcasing impressive architectural character. Queen Anne Shingle Colonial Revival and Tudor Revival styles are prominent. The district’s history is rich and its houses are a testament to skilled craftsmanship.
The architectural styles of Wedgemere’s homes are a reflection of changing tastes. Each house tells a silent story. They are a snapshot of the past reflecting different eras and lifestyles. Today Wedgemere Historic District stands as a beautiful example of planned 19th-century development. It’s a charming place to stroll and admire the rich history woven into its very fabric. The Wedgemere Historic District is a treasure a legacy of a bygone era preserved for future generations.