421 DIVISION STREET

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

421 Division Street was built for Frank and Fannie Preston in 1873. 421 Division is located in the original Elgin Historic District.

Frank, a Civil War vet enlisted in Springfield, Massachusetts as a musician in Company 1 of the 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery and a resident of Elgin since 1868, worked at the Elgin National Watch Factory as assistant foreman in the screw and steel department. Preston held a number of subsequent jobs including the business manager of the Bluff City Band formerly known as the National Watch Factory band. He then went to form a musical instrument company and then later went to work at the Watch Case Factory. 

Fannie died in 1885 and Frank went to remarry in 1886 to Ella Shields. Frank passed away in 1904 with Ella remaining there until 1908 when she sold the home.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

421 Division Street is a nice example of the towered sub-type of the Italianate style, reminiscent of the Italian Villa. Here, the tower appears in the junction of two wings. Italianate characteristics on the tower includes the bell-cast roof, brackets and dentils. A large coach house and stable is also considered significant and was built in 1892 at a cost of $600. The large hay door is still present.

TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS