Rev. Edward Rand House
59 Garfield Street
Watertown, Mass.
Year Built: 1883
Like its neighbor at #50, although somewhat more compact in shape, this Queen Anne style house is an asymmetrical composition with a hipped roof, cross gables, bays and decorative shingle and woodwork which contributes to its exterior picturesque appearance sought by builders of this style. A brick panel chimney, diamond, saw-tooth and fish-scale shingle patterns are particularly fine exterior details. This house maintains a high degree of architectural integrity and contributes significantly to its setting and the other Queen Anne and Shingle Style houses on the street. This house was built in 1883.
Edward Rand was a careful scholar who applied his skills to the Historical Society of Watertown. As President, he gathered and preserved important records of local history. He interviewed elderly residents of the town about their recollection of town history, its buildings and changes, and painstakingly recorded their words. He solicited papers from Historical Society members which remain today as a basic source material for Watertown’s history. Rand resided here from ca. 1884-1911; Arthur and Caroline Bryant resided here from ca. 1907-1937 (Arthur was a coal dealer); and the Fiske family resided here from ca. 1937 until sometime after 1939. Arthur was a coal dealer on Congress Street in Boston. This house was originally numbered 13 Garfield Street prior to May 31, 1912.
References
• Town of Watertown, Property Tax Records, 1883, new rental house by Knapp.
• Plan of Building Lots on the Brigham Estate, Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds, Plan Book 46, Page 47 (1885).
• Watertown Enterprise, 11/21/1883, p. 1, Watertown Locals (house being built by Rev. Knapp across from his current residence. H.W. Macurdy, builder)
• Division of Clients, Sturgis & Brigham, 8/1/1886, John Sturgis Papers (Boston Athenaeum), A. Knapp noted.
• Middlesex South Registry of Deeds, Book 1776, Page 419, Knapp to Rand, 12/2/1886 (land with house).
• Middlesex South Registry of Deeds, Book 1655, Page 192, 1881, Brigham to Knapp (land)
Images
2007, left side view
2007, front and right side view
This house is the first one on the right. Notice the front porch that has been removed. Courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library
Close-up, Courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library
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