Washington Ave. was constructed in 1889 and named on the Centennial of George Washington’s visit to Andover in 1789. Constructed over farm land of Charles O. Cummings, house lots were then sold off to residents and developers. By 1906 eighteen new homes had been built. Interesting to note that five new owners, Tyler, Lewis, Gray, Stiles and Caldwell were House Carpenters and Cummings and Wardwell were developers at each end of the avenue.
Aug. 30, 1889 Andover Townsman p. 4 - The new street, Washington Ave. is progressing rapidly, and from all appearances it is likely to be a good piece of road. The ledge at the Elm Street end had been blasted sufficiently, and the men are now engaged cutting down the ground above the grad and filling in the lower places. Quite a piece stretching from Summer Street is ready for the finishing touches.
October 25, 1889 AT – The new street Washington Ave. is beginning to look like a very good piece of road. The top dressing of red spring gravel is being put on.
Nov. 1, 1889 p.1 AT Commissioner Hayward has finished putting the top coat of Red Spring gravel on Washington Ave. and one sidewalk has been made the entire length.

29 Washington Ave – 21-71 –

Joshua L. Paine purchased this lot of 14,840 sq. ft. from Charles O. Cummings on Jan. 7, 1897.

Joshua Lawrence Paine was born July 7, 1868 in Eastham, MA. son of Micah Sherman & Hannah M. Crosby) Paine. Joshua was a blacksmith, married on June 15, 1892 in North Andover to Alice Frances Harris, b. Aug. 29, 1870 dau. of George L. & Emma (Haynes) Harris. Joshua & Alice had one son Louis S. b. Oct. 1894. In 1899 directory Joshua is listed as a horse shoer at Anderson & Bowman’s shop at the corner of Park & Bartlet Streets. They were living at 48 Summer St.
Son Louis Paine worked for the Andover Press as a printer, married in 1917 and lived at 40 Walcott Ave. Joshua died on June 1, 1936 and is interred at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Andover. Alice remained in their home until she sold on Aug. 12, 1955 to Don S. & Ethel J. Williams. The Paine family owned for 58 years.

1897 Directory list Paine at 41 Washington Ave. 1904 at 29 Washington Ave.