There's Always More Waltham

From Dave Brigham:

First off, let me say that if you're reading this post because you are a fan of the band Waltham, you may not want to venture any further than this video:

Actually, if you're a fan of Waltham, then you may be from Waltham, so you should DEFINITELY check out my latest post about Waltham. The city, that is. I've written quite a bit about this former mill town abutting my adopted hometown of Newton, Mass. (see the bottom of this post for proof).

All of the traipsing I've done through Waltham, however, hasn't resulted in my taking photos of the places I feature below.

OK, I lied. I have taken pictures of the old Music Hall on Elm Street, but not since it was restored so nicely. Built in 1879-80 from a design by Henry Hartwell (who designed numerous buildings in Waltham) this Victorian Eclectic building is called the Music Hall, but the auditorium where audiences once enjoyed entertainment in luxurious surroundings was torn down long ago after a fire.

"The Music Hall...was the most modern theatre in the Boston area; a marble staircase led up to the auditorium and the rear of the auditorium floor was motorized for higher or lower levels," according to MACRIS. "Four crystal chandeliers illuminated the 83' x 60' hall." The building that remains was the entrance to the theater. According to MACRIS, the theater had at least six other names during its tenture as an entertainment destination.

Nowadays there are stores on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors.

Here's what the Music Hall looked like in 2016:

Steps away, at the corner of Main and Lexington streets, is a nice old building that's home to an Armed Forces Career & Recruiting Center.

Known as the Collins Block, this Colonial Revival commercial building rose in 1903. MACRIS doesn't offer much on this place, preferring to spill more ink about its predecessor. "The G.H. Rogers Building was an old, residential structure with a pitched roof and an overhang over the sidewalk to form an arcade." Current tenants in the Collins Building include the U.S. Navy, Marines and Army. There was once a bank here, as evidenced by the night deposit box by the front door.

Moving west along Main Street, we come to the Whitford Building.

Home to, among other businesses, Leo's Place Diner, an eatery founded in Harvard Square that moved to Waltham in 2015, the Whitford Building (or Block) dates to 1877. Its architect, George F. Meacham, also designed the Boston Public Garden, as well as numerous homes and monuments and commercial buildings in Greater Boston. In its heyday, the Whitford contained two "large elegant stores...on the first floor, with a flight of marble steps leading to the upper stories. Interiors were modern and spacious," according to MACRIS.

"Originally owned by G. H. Whitford, the block contained shops on the 1st floor, offices on the second, and the Odd Fellows Hall on the third," MACRIS continues. "Though ownership of the building has changed several times over the past century, the block remains in a fine state of preservation and continues its original uses, save for the third floor which has been converted to a ping pong game room."

Wait...what?! That report dates to 1984, so I doubt there's a ping pong room up there anymore. And the condition of this High Victorian Gothic building seems pretty good...except maybe for one spot.

Actually, I'm sure that's fine. What we're seeing here is an outline of the original gable on the Eagle-Mansfield Building in the forefront. That building dates to 1854, although it was remodeled in 1948. There was some wooden bracing up there at one point.

Next, on the corner of Main and Common streets, is the Lawrence Block.

Known in recent years as the home of video production for local TV personality Rex Trailer (please click this link; Trailer was a one-of-a-kind entertainer), this Colonial Revival building dates to 1900. When it was built, the Lawrence building "had stores on the street level, and offices, social rooms, and apartments on the second floor," according to MACRIS. "The Mass. Telephone & Telegraph Co. originally leased the entire third floor of the building for their exchange." Current ground-floor tenants include David Hawthorne, a violin bowmaker; Cafe on the Common; and Sebastian & Alexander's Ice Cream and Sorbet. There are offices on the upper floors.

(Side entrance to the Lawrence Building.)

My strategy when shooting buildings like this is to get a photo of the entire building, or as much of it as I can, and then some cool details. I lucked out with this place, as I spied tenant directories on either side of the main entrance.

I have no idea whether any of these businesses -- lawyers, dentists, watch repairmen, civil engineers, architects -- are still located here.

The final stop along Main Street is the distinctive building that now houses Main Street Music on the ground floor and basement, and offices on the upper floors.

Built around 1872 and remodeled in 1936, this place is known historically as the Knights of Columbus Building. "The Knights of Columbus (KOC) Building at 719-723 Main Street, corner Spring Street, is dated 1872-1874 by deed and atlas research to Martin Greely as the original owner, later purchased by the KOC in 1917 and subsequently remodeled in 1936," according to MACRIS. "The upper floors of the KOC Building held offices of related social organizations, including Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Mass Catholic Women's Guild."

The building is a little rough looking as you get close to it. There is even graffiti on the side of the roof. According to MACRIS, the building is an unusual Mansard commercial block "with Tudor-like pseudo half-timber effect. One of few wood-frame, three-story buildings in downtown Waltham."

In business since 1993, Main Street Music specializes in piano sales, service and restoration, according to its web site. The store is a bit cluttered and seems to operate best through customer appointments. I dropped in once to buy a music stand and cord for my guitar, and the salesman took a long time to find those items, although he was friendly and entertaining the entire time.

Lastly, a small brick building that is one of my favorites in Waltham.

Located at 94 School Street, this place is, according to MACRIS, "The only brick (quasi) row-house in Waltham." As the writer indicates, this circa-1860 residential building would look more at home in Baltimore than in Greater Boston. It was added on to the rear of 16 Park Place, which dates to 1850, according to the Waltham assessor's office.

Fun fact/rumor about this quaint little abode, per MACRIS: "Reported to have a brick vault in the basement and to have served as a courthouse."

OK, that wraps up this quick jaunt through downtown Waltham.

Below is a less-than-exhaustive list of previous Waltham posts.

August 25, 2011, "Goodbye Reef, So Long Bill"

February 27, 2011, "UPDATE: What a Dump"

May 12, 2010, "Dead-End Tracks, Part I"

March 20, 2017, "Brigham in Waltham, Part III"

January 5, 2017, "Brigham in Waltham, Part II"

November 9, 2016, "Brigham in Waltham, Part I"