From Brookline Historical Commission
Year Built: 1916
Source: Building Permit
Architect: Bigelow & Wadsworth
Exterior Wall Fabric: Stucco
Outbuildings: Garage
Other features: Two stories, regular facade and massing, tile hip roof, center balustraded French window with decorative surround
Lot Size: 17,309 sq ft
Approximate distance of building from street: 25’
Goddard Avenue existed in the 1700’s as a farm lane leading to the house Joseph Goddard built on land bought in 1712 (see 235 Goddard Ave). Between 1822 and 1844 a lane beginning on Clyde Street near the present 54 Clyde Street joint the first one and was also known as Goddard Ave. In 1861the town laid out a graded road from Cottage Street to Avon Street, and this was continued on to Newton Street in 1871. Goddard Ave consists mostly of large houses on some very large pieces of property. There are a few old houses. The newer and smaller houses were built as the old estates and farms subdivided. The houses on Goddard Ave are spaced far apart and many are not visible from the street- none can be seen from another house.
15 Goddard Avenue was built in 1916 by the widow of Frank E. Sweetser, once president of the Boylston Insurance Company. The Sweetsers lived formerly at 377 Warren Street, in a house designed for them by Winslow and Wetherell, architects of the SS Pierce Building in Coolidge Corner. This firm became Winslow, Wetherell and Bigelow, and after the death of the first two partners, Bigelow and Wadsworth. As such the firm designed many notable homes and civic buildings in Beacon Hill/Back Bay, Brookline and Milton.
Recorded by Leslie Larkin (BHC) 1980
BKL.1308
