Driscoll's Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Driscoll's Block
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Driscoll's Block
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Springfield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1894 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| MPS | Downtown Springfield MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000746 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1983 |
Driscoll's Block is a special old building located at 211-13 Worthington Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1894. This building was super important because it was the very first one to be built in that area after a huge fire destroyed five blocks of Worthington Street just a year before. Because of its history, Driscoll's Block was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
What is Driscoll's Block?
Driscoll's Block is in downtown Springfield. You can find it on the southeast side of Worthington Street, close to Stearns Square. It is a four-story building made of brick. The roof is flat, and it has cool decorative brickwork at the top.
Looking at the Building's Design
On the ground floor, there is a single storefront. It has entrances that are set back, one for the shop and one for the upstairs areas. There is also a big display window. The windows on the second and third floors are grouped in threes. They have a rounded top shape. The windows on the fourth floor are also grouped in threes, but they have a full round arch shape.
A Glimpse into its Past
When the building was first listed as historic in 1983, you could see old advertisements painted on its side. These ads were put there after a building next door was taken down in the 1940s. Over time, these old advertisements have faded quite a bit.
The building was built for J.R. Driscoll. When it first opened, it was home to a bowling alley! This bowling alley stayed open until 1915. After that, many different businesses used the building. For a short time, there was even a Sears and Roebuck store there. Most of the businesses that have used Driscoll's Block have been involved in making or storing things.
