Behold the Timothy Hoxie House a stunning example of Italianate architecture. This two-story wood-frame house stands proudly at 135 Hillside Street. Built in 1854 it’s a local treasure. Its unique design features three distinct bays. Each bay projects from the main block creating a visually striking effect. The central bay is a three-story tower with a hip roof. Notice the ornate brackets adorning the cornice. The right bay extends even further than the tower. It boasts a polygonal bay on the first floor and elegant round-arch windows on the second. The left bay has a smaller projection. It’s shaded by a charming shed-roofed porch.
The Timothy Hoxie House has a fascinating history. It wasn’t always here. Initially built elsewhere it was moved across the street next to the Greenleaf Sanborn House. An addition was then constructed at the rear expanding its size significantly. This move occurred during the 1880s when Mission Hill underwent rapid development. The house originally belonged to Timothy Hoxie a successful commission merchant in Boston. Before that Reverend Andrew Stone owned it. He’d previously lived on Myrtle Street next to Hoxie.
Interestingly the land where the Timothy Hoxie House now stands was part of the Highland Place development. This planned community from 1845 had strict rules. Deed restrictions prohibited shops or structures deemed unsuitable for a genteel neighborhood. The developers Greenleaf Sanborn a housewright and Thomas Wait a mason aimed for high standards. They hired Alexander Wadsworth to layout the building lots. The Timothy Hoxie House with its Italianate style perfectly reflects this ambition.
The Timothy Hoxie House didn’t remain untouched by time. In 1975 the Finigan brothers purchased it. They undertook extensive restoration work. This meticulous effort ensured its preservation. The brothers’ dedication was instrumental in having the Timothy Hoxie House listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Ronald Finigan and his family lived here until 2002. Their legacy is evident in the house’s pristine condition today. The Timothy Hoxie House stands as a testament to architectural excellence and careful preservation. A true jewel in Boston’s historical landscape.