20-22 Decatur Street

This two-story, gable front house, sitting midway down the north side of Decatur street represents a vernacular interpretation of the Gothic Revival style popular in the 1870s.  The house features one-over-one, double hung sash windows, clapboard siding, in the process of being recovered with vinyl, a stone foundation, slate roof with raking eaves, and a small central chimney.  The entrance is accessible via a small porch on the left side of the front facade, on both sides of the projecting side gable.  A large two story bay window protrudes from the right side of the front facade, and a porch with wooden halfwall extends along the easterly facade.  Two, two-story, pent roof additions extend from the rear, west corner of the building.  The Gothic Revival references are found in the shallow peak of the windows, peaked attic vent and cross gable plan.

Along with the Gothic Revival style, the clapboard siding, slate roof, raking eaves, stone foundation and small, central chimney all indicate this is an 1870s surviving structure.  The window casements, with their low peaked lintels are original, but the sashes themselves are probably replacements and were probably, originally two-over-two.

Both additions first appear on the 1894 Sanborn map.  The bay window does not appear on the Birds-Eye map, and is probably an addition later in the century.  The windows on the additions remain constant with the window style of the original block.  

No information could be found regarding the original inhabitants.  The Lawson family was found to have lived here from around 1886-1894.¹  Benjamin Lawson was a carpenter, and his wife, F. M. Lawson was a professional nurse.²  An E.H. Lawson, working for Pope & Watson also lived here.³

See house on 1877 Birds-Eye Map