Almost unnoticed from Attleboro’s main thoroughfares, within the neighborhoods of Dean, Peak, and Bank Streets are more than 70 homes of historic and structural interest, as nearly two dozen guests discovered during a Saturday morning Attleboro Historical Preservation Walking Tour.
Even before the tour began, when guests perused association brochures detailing the addresses and architectural styles of the 75 homes, many were amazed at the number of homes listed, many of which cannot be seen at a glance by motorists traveling the main roads.
A simple comment from one of the guests, Diane Garvey of Attleboro, seems to sum up the common thought of the rest of the participants: “I never knew these places existed.”
Described by volunteer Rachel Killion as “a little walkable neighborhood,” she led a tour group while fellow volunteer Jerry Turcotte worked as a tour guide with another.
In the 1870s and into the beginning of the 20th century, when the city’s industrial forces were on high gear, the means of commuting to the job or commuting in the city consisted of horse-drawn carts and one’s feet.
Killion told the tour group that the “walkability” of downtown Attleboro still exists today.
Carrying a large hardcover containing a detailed description of each house, including a number of old photographs depicting the original structures when Attleboro still had dirt roads, Killion noted each house’s architectural style and intricate features.
The Greek Renaissance period, from 1825 to 1860, was marked by forward Greek columns, as can be seen in the East Attleboro Academy building. The Italianate era, from 1840 to 1885, is recognizable by the taller frieze returns – the clearly symmetrical arches of the roof line.
In addition, the Victorian era, from 1860 to 1910, has three separate variations: the Second Empire, Queen Anne, and the Victorian people.
An example of the Queen Anne style is 54 Bank Street where the group paused for a few minutes as Killion noticed many features of the house’s old architecture. Built in 1905, it is also known as the Edward L. Gowen House.
The number of houses of historical and architectural interest on Dean Street alone raised the eyebrows of the tour group.
“I never realized this street was so historic!” Diane Garvey shouted.
What is really only visible from the sidewalk, or if one slows down while driving, are the smaller structures that have been converted into apartments, such as 57A and B Dean Street.
Originally these were carriage homes for the wealthy who had their own horses — “basically, a city barn,” Killion told the group.
Another example is “The Hobby Hut” on Bank Street, and the house next door, partially hidden by a large tree.
Many stately homes were owned by the prominent Attleboro families of the era, such as the Bliss, Hayward, and Sweet.
And while many of the homes on the tour have been renovated, some still retain their original features, such as moldings on the windows and columns above the front entrance.
Killion pointed to a house on Peak Street as an example.
“One of the great things, (during the renovations) is that the homeowners found the original details of the bay window and they restored it,” Killion said.
When the group began returning to East Attleboro Academy—which was built in 1842 and was the oldest building on a walking tour—many of the participants were surprised to find themselves on Foster Street, looking directly to Kirk Yard at the back of the Second Congregation Church.
Here, Killion points to the dilapidated switch tower, which is clearly visible inside the cemetery, and tells the tour group that the community is trying “desperately” to save the tower, even though it is not in a place conducive to public visits because it is from the train tracks.
For now, the future of the Switch Tower is in limbo because, as Killion explained to the tour group, the city, Amtrack and MBTA were unable to “get on the same page”.
“It’s one of the last of its kind, but it’s in a very precarious place,” Killion said.
With the tour at the Academy over, members of the group paid tribute to the historic show.
“Which were perfect in the summer months before air conditioning came along,” said Brenda Larmy of Attleboro, who was also fascinated by some of the “sleeping balconies” in some homes.
Diane Garvey described the tour as a “complete reveal” of beauty and knowledge.
“(My husband and I) have been living here for…how many years? And we weren’t aware of beauty and architecture,” she said.
Proceeds from tour tickets benefit the ongoing restoration of Eastern Attleboro Academy.
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