George Dunham House, 112 Lovely Street

George Dunham House, c. 1868. Italianate Victorian/Classical Revival style with a massive curved front portico entryway supported by classic Ionic fluted columns and crowned with dentil molding and an iron railing. It has high ceilings on every floor with tall and narrow windows, Romanesque arched entry door and matching arched window above, a hipped-flat roof and two tall brick chimneys. The Neo-Classic or Classical Revival front portico was added c. 1920.

George Dunham worked as a bolt header for Miller Bolt Works. In 1859 he was superintendent of Langdon's Bolt Work in Unionville. George Dunham and Andrew S. Upson purchased Langdon's Bolt Works and created the Union Nut Company, later renamed Upson Nut Company. He sold his interest in the Upson Company. He is known for the Dunham Forged Nut Machine, developed in 1865, which increased the production of forged nuts and bolts. Dunham served as Unionville Selectman and Justice of the Peace.

In 1864 he purchased one acre from Eli D. Preston. In 1868 his second wife Mary purchased an additional ¾th acre lot from Albert R. Nettleton. In 1868 Mary and George Dunham took out a mortgaged both lots “with buildings” dating the house to 1868.

112 Lovely St as it appeared in 1909. Courtesy of the Unionville Museum. (112Lovely.png)