• Home
  • News
  • Obituaries
  • Police & Fire
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Advertise
  • Town
    • Westborough
    • Shrewsbury
    • Northborough
    • Marlborough
    • Hudson
    • Southborough
    • Grafton
  • Print Edition
Sign in
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Password recovery
Recover your password
Search
Thursday, August 18, 2022
  • Events
    • Ongoing
  • Contact us
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Community Advocate news and events Community Advocate
  • Shrewsbury
  • Westborough
  • Northborough
  • Southborough
  • Grafton
  • Marlborough/Hudson Edition
  • Home
  • News
  • Obituaries
  • Police & Fire
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Advertise
  • Town
    • Westborough
    • Shrewsbury
    • Northborough
    • Marlborough
    • Hudson
    • Southborough
    • Grafton
  • Print Edition
How can the Community Advocate help you promote your business?
Print Ads
Web Ads
Digital Marketing
Home Byline Stories - News The history of White Cliffs – Part 4
  • Byline Stories - News
  • Northborough

The history of White Cliffs – Part 4

By
Community Advocate
-
February 22, 2016
683
Facebook
Twitter
Email

    Architecture as a Wesson family hobby

    By Normand Corbin, Vice-Chairman, Northborough Historic District Commission

    The Daniel B. Wesson Mansion in Springfield, Mass. burned down in 1966. (Photo/submitted)
    The Daniel B. Wesson Mansion in Springfield, Mass. burned down in 1966.
    (Photo/submitted)

    Part 4 of a series of articles on the history of the Daniel B. Wesson “White Cliffs” mansion in Northborough, Mass.

    Northborough – Mr. Daniel B. Wesson is known to be involved with the construction of over 13 buildings during his lifetime. Considering he grew up in a humble home with 10 siblings in Worcester Massachusetts, it is interesting to see his  interest in the building of large elaborate homes.

    In 1876 he built a mansion in Worcester as a wedding gift for his daughter, Sarah.  It still remains standing at 55 Pearl Street.  The design is a High Victorian Gothic style with a granite exterior. The architect was the famous Calvert Vaux.  Calvert Vaux is best known as the co-designer with Frederick Law Olmsted of New York’s Central Park. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

    In 1898 Wesson built his new home in Springfield, Mass. in the French Chateau-inspired style. The architect was the famous Bruce Price. Mr. Price is noted for designing grand hotels for the Canadian Pacific Railway, including the Château Frontenac in Quebec City. Although it is a much grander construction than White Cliffs, which was built 10 years earlier, it had many similar architectural features. Sadly, the building burned down in 1966.

    The design of unique homesteads by famous architects also carried over to Wesson’s sons, Walter and Frank.  Walter’s home was built in Springfield and designed by Clarence Luce. It was built just a few years before White Cliffs and has many architectural similarities.  Mr. Luce specialized in residential projects and is noted for being an early proponent of the Queen Anne style. Although listed in the National Register, this Springfield landmark has been demolished.   Frank Wesson’s architectural firm was Robins and Oakman. His home remains standing in Springfield, Massachusetts and is listed in the National Register.

    A big question remains concerning the White Cliffs mansion.  Who was the architect of this gem? If you are able to help me solve this mystery, please contact me at [email protected].

    Much of the information in this article was provided by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

    • TAGS
    • Bruce Price
    • Calvert Vaux
    • Canadian Pacific Railway
    • Château Frontenac in Quebec City
    • Clarence Luce
    • Frederick Law Olmsted
    • French Chateau-inspired style
    • Massachusetts Historical Commission
    • Mr. Daniel B. Wesson
    • National Register of Historic Places
    • New York's Central Park
    • normand corbin
    • Northborough Historic District Commission
    • Queen Anne style
    • Robins and Oakman
    • springfield
    • Victorian Gothic style
    • Walter and Frank Wesson
    • white cliffs
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Email
      Previous articleJamieson M. Roberge, 25, of Shrewsbury
      Next articleShrewsbury wraps up regular season with win over Algonquin
      Community Advocate

      RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

      Education

      Two ARHS students named High School Scholar All-Americans

      Northborough
      Northborough

      Republican Town Committee restarts in Northborough

      Featured News

      After consultant hired, Northborough talks next steps for White Cliffs

      Northborough

      Free summer concerts continue in Northborough

      Featured News

      Westborough and Northborough girls compete at Weightlifting Youth Nationals

      Featured News

      ‘Unsung hero’ Jane O’Toole named Applefest’s grand marshal

      Follow Us

      Sign Up For Our Newsletter


      RECOMMENDED VIDEOS

      Featured News

      Westborough man killed in wrong-way crash in Hopkinton

      Laura Hayes - August 18, 2022
      0
      Featured News

      Select Board suspends Westborough Mobil’s dealership license

      Laura Hayes - August 18, 2022
      0
      Featured News

      Shrewsbury officials share strategic plan at farmers market

      Caroline Gordon - August 18, 2022
      0
      Obituaries

      Marguerite R. Hermes, 92, of Shrewsbury

      Community Advocate - August 18, 2022
      0

      POPULAR

      Westborough man killed in wrong-way crash in Hopkinton

      August 18, 2022

      Select Board suspends Westborough Mobil’s dealership license

      August 18, 2022

      Shrewsbury officials share strategic plan at farmers market

      August 18, 2022
      Marguerite R. Hermes

      Marguerite R. Hermes, 92, of Shrewsbury

      August 18, 2022

      Arson charges following fire on Logan Path in Grafton

      August 18, 2022
      community advocate logo
      ABOUT US

      The Community Advocate is an independently owned newspaper with a legacy of over 40 years serving the communities of Westborough, Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough and Grafton. It is also the number-one circulated paper in those communities. We cover a wide variety of breaking news, municipal issues, human interest features and sports stories.

      For Advertising Inquiries:
      [email protected]

      For editorial inquiries:
      [email protected]

      Contact us: [email protected]
      FOLLOW US
      • Events
        • Ongoing
      • Contact us
      © Community Advocate. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy