The Hewitt brothers designed extensively in Chestnut Hill for Henry H. Houston.
William Mackie, Houston's contractor, had this house commissioned
for himself.  It is characteristic of the Philadelphia version of Queen Anne
design where the elaborate and fanciful wood ornament is "hung" on heavy
stonewalls. The substantial mass and weight of the walls make a
delightful contrast to the light and relatively fragile nature of the
wood ornament.