Sumner Hill History

Sumner Hill was named after William H. Sumner, the son of a former Massachusetts governor who married into the Greenough family (see above). Extensive development of the neighborhood began in the 1860s and 1870s, when the largest estates were subdivided into smaller lots. Prestigious, prosperous families purchased Italianate and mansard-style homes. New property owners built Queen Anne-style homes in the late 1800s, and the neighborhood constructed a high school in 1868 (von Hoffman, A. Local Attachments, 1994, p48-50)

Sumner Hill is an historically significant section of Jamaica Plain. Sumner Hill has many fine Victorian homes in excellent condition, including Italianate, mansard, and Queen Anne style homes. According to one Jamaica Plain real estate agent, homes in this area are roughly equivalent in price to those in the upscale Pondside section of Jamaica Plain. Residences in Sumner Hill range from single-family homes to larger buildings with four or more households.

Neighborhood residents have a strong sense of the history of the area and the distinctiveness of the neighborhood. Unlike many other sub-neighborhoods in the Heart of the City, this neighborhood has clearly delineated boundaries decided upon by the Sumner Hill Neighborhood Association.

From the very beginning, the neighborhood was characterized by large-scale homes on generous lots, and succeeded in attracting upper middle-class merchants, businessmen, and professionals from both Jamaica Plain and Boston.

The Jamiaca Plain Historic Society has excellent information about the Hill.

The Loring-Greenough House

The Loring-Greenough house is the last surviving 18th century residence in Sumner Hill. This mid-Georgian mansion was built in 1760 for wealthy British naval officer Joshua Loring. Originally, the Loring-Greenough house was situated on a 60-acre estate. Loring abandoned the house in 1774 during the American Revolution when he fled the colonies. The house was taken over by colonial forces and served as a headquarters and hospital for Continental soldiers. The Loring family returned to the house in 1784. Five generations of Lorings resided there.

The Loring Greenough property is now an historic house museum and offers tours and other events throughout the year. For additional information please visit the Loring-Greenough House website.

<a href="http://www.keencorp.com/portfolio/SumnerHill.pdf">Sumner Hill House</a></p>

http://ksgaccman.harvard.edu/hotc/DisplayPlace.asp?id=11413