255 Upham Street Melrose, Massachusetts

Written by Mark Rendall

Descendant of John Upham

The Phineas Upham House is a traditional Colonial Period Saltbox house. The Saltbox was one of three common styles of houses built in Colonial America. The other two styles were the Cape Cod and the Georgian. Colonial houses were traditionally two-story wood frame box-like houses with a linear floor plan and usually one room deep. The Saltbox originated in medieval Europe and was named "saltbox" because of the similarity of the shape of the saltbox ornament. This style house had a gable roof

with the rear slope of the roof much longer than the front slope. This produced a shed-like appearance. There was usually one central chimney, simple windows small diamond shaped panes, a central entrance, and clapboard shingles. The Upham House was built in 1703 which was during the Colonial period in America between 1680-1820.