Florence Street was constructed in 1885. The south end portion (Park St.) of two acres and 28,045 sq. ft. was owned by Hannah W. Foster, wife of Joseph W. Foster. Hannah sold the parcel to William Wood, a carpenter for $1900 on March 13, 1883. Wood built his home at 66 Park St. and house lots extended on both sides up to #21 and #24. The north end portion (Elm St.) on the east side was the former Moses Abbot Jr. homestead at #49 Elm St. Owned by his son George T. Abbott, also a House-wright, who was partners with William S. Jenkins in the firm Abbott & Jenkins. The Abbot parcel extended to #20 Florence. St. The west side of Florence St. from Elm St. to #17 was owned by the Henry Burtt estate formerly at #35-#37 Elm St.

Oct. 2, 1885 Andover Advertiser - pg. 2 col. 9, “The new way between Park and Elm has been completed by Nathan F. Abbott, the contractor, and accepted by the Selectman. Several names have been suggested……”

House lots were then created and sold to a variety of residents. William Wood sold the parcel of land on the west side of Florence St. (containing lots #33 -21) to Charles O. Stevens, wife Abbie on Mar. 22, 1886. Stevens took a loan from the Andover Savings bank on Mar. 19, 1887 but was later declared insolvent on May 8, 1887. The bank then sold the mortgage to Andover dentist Charles H. Gilbert on July 11, 1887 for $400. Gilbert then sold off the corner lot at Park & Florence Streets to John Cornell on Aug. 13, 1887.

The bank then released a partial deed to Charles H. Gilbert on Oct. 11, 1887 lot #27 which he then sold to Erastus Gile. Charles Gilbert then sold the remaining parcel to Abby R. Handy & Elizabeth R. Handy on July 9, 1888. The deed contained two parcels, one on High St. and this lot on Florence, which included lot 21 & 25 The next year Abby & Elizabeth Handy sold the Florence St lot fro $2500 to Erastus Gile on Aug. 17,1889. Gile now owned the three adjoining parcels. #27 and #25 & #21-#23.

The 1906 map of Florence St. does not show this house and it is not clear when it was built on the lot or if it was moved here from Park St. The Gile family owned the property until 1934. The 1920 Andover Valuation Schedule lists the Gile daughter's Georgette A., Mary E. and S. Annie: 11 Florence St. house $2000., barn and shed $400. land 21,051 sq. ft. $1600. then 15 Florence St. House $1800, Barn $200, 1/4 acre land $1100. and 1/2 house at 161 No. Main St. $1300., and 1/8 acre $500. The sisters sold the house at #27 Florence to F. Howard Wilkes on Sept. 14, 1920.