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Crooker - Braman House

217 Main St

1850

Architectural Style

Italianate

Significance

Architecture

Use Type

Single Family Dwelling House

Neighborhood

Bridgewater Town Center

Massachusetts Historical Commission Report

Architectural Significance

Together with the Greek Revival house at the southeast corner of Oak and Main Streets this handsome Italianate house provides a "gateway" to Oak Street. Composed of a 2 1/2 story side hall plan block with a 2-story rear ell, it is enclosed by a gable roof with return eaves. Its 3-bay main facade opens on to a front porch with champfered posts. Full length windows open on to the porch. In general windows are fully enframed and contain 2/2 wood sash. The round-headed attic window exhibits a "keystone." To the rear of the property, along Oak Street, is a similarly rendered stable with a wide central entrance and hayloft door on the second level. An oculus window appears just below the apex of the stable roof. This house's corner lot is enclosed by an attractive rubble stone wall and is shaded by mature trees.

Historical Significance

This house was built c. 1850 for Benjamen Crooker. By 1874 he was living closer to Central Square at South Street near Mt. Prospect and is described in 1870's directories as "apothecary and druggist." During the 1870's John G. Braman of Braman Brothers owned this house. The Braman Brothers' concern specialized in house, sign and carriage painting. . Their shop was located on Broad Street near Central Square. J. Braman is listed here in 1903.

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