Crowning The Gravelly Hill... Part 7

Part seven of the series...

Residence of Edward H. Bouton Esq. - 309 Oakdale Road

This residence was designed by Wyatt & Nolting and built by the Roland Park Company between 1893 and May 1896.

Bouton was Vice President and General Manager of the Roland Park Company. He was also one of the founding members of the Baltimore Country Club.

The views show a successful treatment of an all-shingled house, in the Colonial style. The great expanse of gambrel roof is relieved by dormers, projecting gables, and bay. The porch rail is shingled, and forms base for square columns at the entrance gable. Turned columns at the side support the overhanging roof above. The foundation is of local stone, gray in color, and all the framework above being sheathed, papered, shingled, and originally stained sea green on the sides, and originally allowed to weather finish at the roofs. The chimneys are of brick, and cement capped. Dimensions: Front, 49'4"; side, 29', including main, but not porch projection. Heights: Cellar, 7;, first story, 8'9"; second, 8'; attic, 7'6".

It has a Dutch sash entrance door, paneled beneath, which opens onto a vestibule, with walls covered with cartridge paper. There is a portiere opening to the reception hall or library, with a centered fireplace, faced with cream unglazed tiles, with a mantle above, of good Colonial design. There is a seat at each side, and book cases over these having leaded glass doors. There are two steps up from this room to the landing and dining room level. Heavy Ionic columns, of correct detail, support the beam above.

View of the Reception Hall looking towards the Landing

Narrow, exposed beams in the landing have ceiling strips between them. The stairs, of easy rise, have four balusters to the tread, and a turned rail. The dining room, had tapestried walls and has a similar tiled fireplace. Two columns support the mantle shelf above. The conservatory is all shingled, same as outside, by removal of the sash, forming a porch. There is a passage, with ample dresser accommodation at side. The kitchen, which contained the usual fixtures, is wainscoted 5' high with narrow T and G boards, and a moulded cap and base. The second floor plan shows three chambers, with fireplaces and closets, and a tiled bathroom, with best fixtures. The toilet is separate. All the plumbing is exposed. The attic has a servant's room, servant's bath, and closet space finished off. The cellar is cemented, and contains a hot water heater, servant's toilet, laundry, fuel storage, and other apartments. The finish throughout is clear white pine. In the reception hall and dining room it is given a slight greenish tinge, the addition of that color to the oil, making a very pleasant color effect. The kitchen and pantries are finished natural, and the chambers are painted in colors to harmonize with the papers. The front bay and mullioned windows, as well as the two side reception hall windows, are leaded, the two former casement hung, the latter stationary.

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