Oh, the shivery charm of approaching a tall, intimidating Victorian house when trick or treating… the towers and turrets, the ornate gingerbread, the formal, vertical orientation. On a windswept, moonlit night, it wouldn’t take much to convince you that at least several generations of witches like those of “Practical Magic” or “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” live here in antique splendor.
Many of the 19th-century houses for sale today do, indeed, display antique splendor, carefully preserved by owners who value historic architecture and its stylish place in our streetscapes. But many also have updated systems, new kitchens, and spa baths.
Here is a short list of some atmospheric Victorian properties on the market today. Whether the vibes are witchy is for the homeowner to decide.
139 Methuen St., Lowell
Year built: 1872
Square footage: 3,136
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 2.5
“In 1995, this was supposed to be a tear-down,” said Daniel Donoghue, who is listing the historic James W. Mort House. “It was built as a farmhouse atop Christian Hill, overlooking the city, circa 1869, for a Lowell cigar manufacturer. Though it was in rough shape 30 years ago, it was lovingly restored by people who cared about its historic value.”
Today, it is a meticulous example of the Second Empire style, displaying the characteristic mansard roof, eyebrow-like window heads, a verandah, and projecting central pavilion. In its 1980 architectural survey, the City of Lowell singled out the house for its two-story pavilion bay, “heavily ornamented,” rising into “an octagonal tower with a concave cap.”
The interior, too, is a showcase of Victorian high style, with modern amenities tucked in. The quarter-acre lot includes landscaped gardens and a two-car garage. It is topped by an expansive deck that features a central cast-iron gazebo that opens to the house’s sunroom.
40 Westland Terrace, Haverhill
Year built: 1896
Square footage: 6,270
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 3
Built for prominent local banker and shoe manufacturing magnate Myron Whitcomb, this Queen Anne house has been lovingly preserved. A prominent Haverhill landmark, it still has the ornate 19th-century workmanship that is so valued today, including richly detailed mahogany woodwork, intricate carvings, leaded glass cabinetry, stained glass windows, oak parquet flooring, and six fireplaces.
Features also include original wainscoting, including sections accented by Grecian columns, crown molding, and beamed ceilings. There are elements that rarely survive, including original hardware and light fixtures.
15 Fairfax St., Boston
Year built: 1885
Square footage: 4,927
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 2.5
This impressive Queen Anne house is on the market for the first time in more than 30 years.
“This is probably one of the largest single-family homes in Dorchester,” said Daniel Lewis, a realtor with Herringbone Realty who has listed the impressive three-story house. “It is not only large and architecturally important. It is also located in Dorchester Center’s historic Carruth Street/Peabody Square neighborhood, one of South Dorchester’s most established and desirable residential enclaves near Ashmont and Davis Square.”
The Ashmont Red Line station is approximately half a mile away, making for an easy commute to downtown Boston. The house features rich architectural details, including five fireplaces and multiple porches on every level. The third floor presents possibilities for future expansion or conversion: The space features a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living room, and may be used as a potential separate apartment, which it once was.
2 Butman St., Beverly
Year built: 1898
Square footage: 5,739
Bedrooms: 8
Bathrooms: 3
In the 1890s, George Pepper, the third owner of Salem’s Ye Olde Pepper Candy Company, sold it and, in 1898, built this grand Queen Anne house. With two towers and impressive front and rear foyers that connect to a grand central stairway, it is a rare survivor that still has all the original ornate interior features, including beautiful millwork, high ceilings, and arched doorways. It has the space today’s homeowners want, including a butler’s pantry, a mudroom with laundry facilities, and an updated kitchen. There is also a substantial two-story carriage house. The exterior was recently extensively repaired and painted.
37 Summer St., Dover, N.H.
Year built: 1875
Square footage: 6,437
Bedrooms: 9
Bathrooms: 2 full, 3 half
“New Hampshire is becoming a tax haven for people from Massachusetts,” said Jim Nadeau, a broker with LandVest | Christie’s International Real Estate, who is listing what is known as “The Hayes House.” “Dover is ‘The Lilac City,’ which describes it as a quiet, residential refuge just across the river from Portsmouth.”
Built in 1875, the Hayes House is one of Dover’s beloved architectural treasures. It was built by Civil War Union Quartermaster Andrew Young in the fashionable Second Empire style. The three-story house has many of the hallmarks of the style, including a mansard roof, eyebrow window heads, a central tower, and a verandah-like porch. The exterior also boasts corner quoins and butted-board siding. The interior has many of the original features, including ornate chandeliers with decorative medallions, stained and leaded glass, and beautiful woodwork that has never been painted or stained.