The tract of land making up this district was purchased by George Brastow, a native of Wrentham who later became Somerville's first mayor.

Recognizing the potential for development, Brastow hired Alexander Wadsworth to lay out housing lots.

[3] The oldest buildings in the district include seven of the first eight houses built after Brastow's subdivision; these are all Greek Revival two-family residences, of which 46-48 Atherton Street is the least altered.

The Italianate Round House was built at Atherton and Beech Streets in 1856, and remains a local curiosity.

Its builder, Enoch Robinson, also built the fine Italianate house at 47 Spring Street, which is one of the finest examples of that style in the city.