"[2] According to the executive director of the Boston Landmarks Commission, "In a city where there are many narrow lots, this far exceeds the norm.

The home's narrowest interior point is 6.2 feet (1.89 m) across, close enough to allow an adult to touch opposing walls.

In 2005, former owners Jennifer Simonic and Spencer Welton[3] were described in the Boston Globe as living "a vertical life".

"[2] According to local legend, the structure was built as a "spite house" shortly after the Civil War:

While one brother was away serving in the military, the other built a large home, leaving the soldier only a shred of property that he felt certain was too tiny to build on.

When the soldier returned, he found his inheritance depleted and built the narrow house to spite his brother by blocking the sunlight and ruining his view.

Legend has it that ... its unnamed builder erected it to shut off air and light from the home of a hostile neighbor (also nameless) with whom he had a dispute.

The current-day Skinny House was the easternmost portion of this building, and was also the narrowest of the three post-1884 units due to the alleyway on the eastern side of the property.