Address: 57-59 Johnson Road
Contemporary Building Name: 57-59 Johnson Road
Historic Building Name: E. Bolles House, Gustav Johnson House
Present Use: Residential
Historic Use: Residential
Architectural style: Colonial / Federal
Date constructed: 1815 (Baber)
Description: The E. Bolles House presents an important presence from its site above the road, behind the stone wall and picket fence. The rhythm of the five bays in the front elevation is 2-1-2. The central front doorway is framed by pilasters supporting a broken-bed pediment which surrounds a semi-elliptical leaded fanlight. Windows are 2-over-2 except for small 6-over-6 attic sash in the gable ends. A course of small dentils runs under the front eaves. The chimney in the center of the roof ridge is small in plan and tall. The Keith form (WPA inventory, 1935) reports a Dutch oven in the rear ell, suggesting that it may be the original part of the house. The interior of the main block, according to Keith, has fine finishes, including beaded columns and dentil course on one front room fireplace surround.
Significance: The E. Bolles house is significant architecturally because it is a good example of a Colonial five-bay structure with the Adamsque feature of a semi-elliptical fanlight. This feature is associated with the Federal style, which was in vogue from c. 1780 to c. 1820, an era consistent with the date of the house. The house is also different from many because of the imposing landscaping of wall, fence, and trees which enhances its elevated site. The stone and wrought-iron fence appears to be quite similar to the fence at the Mosely Talcott House made by William Richmond (see 5 Cheney Road). The house is identified with the name E. Bolles on the 1869 atlas. It was later owned by Gustav Johnson, for whom the road is named. Gustav Johnson's daughter, Ethel Fowler, served as Marlborough Town Clerk until her recent retirement.
Sources: Baber, David. Capitol Region Council of Governments Historic Resource Survey of Marlborough, 1978.
Ransom, David. Historical and Architectural Resources Survey, Town of Marlborough, Connecticut. April 1998.
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