Houghton Street Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Houghton Street Historic District
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Corner of Palm and Houghton
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Houghton St. between Palm and Dorchester Sts., Worcester, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1.13 acres (0.46 ha) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| MPS | Worcester Three-Deckers TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 89002371 |
| Added to NRHP | February 9, 1990 |
The Houghton Street Historic District is a special area in Worcester, Massachusetts. It's like a small neighborhood frozen in time. This district is home to seven unique houses called "triple-deckers." These homes were built a long time ago, between 1920 and 1926.
A triple-decker is a large house with three separate apartments, one on each floor. They were very popular in New England. The houses in this district are great examples of the Colonial Revival style, which was a popular way to build homes back then. The Houghton Street Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
What is the Houghton Street Historic District?
Houghton Street is a street in Worcester's Oak Hill area. It's mostly a quiet street with homes. This historic district covers one side of a city block. It includes the east side of Houghton Street, between Palm and Dorchester Streets.
There are seven triple-decker houses in this area. Six of them face Houghton Street. The seventh house faces Dorchester Street. All these homes were built between 1920 and 1926. This was a time when many triple-deckers were being built in Worcester.
Who Lived on Houghton Street?
During the 1920s, the Houghton Street area was home to many different kinds of people. Both blue-collar workers (people who worked with their hands) and white-collar workers (people who worked in offices) lived here. The neighborhood was also very diverse, with families from many different backgrounds.
The first houses built on Houghton Street were numbers 61, 63, and 65. After that, 147 Dorchester Street was built. Finally, numbers 49, 53, and 57 Houghton Street were completed.
The Style of the Homes
The houses in the Houghton Street Historic District show off the Colonial Revival style. This style often includes features like columns, decorative porches, and detailed windows. Many of the homes have unique designs.
For example, one house, 47 Houghton, has a sloped roof and a bay window that sticks out. It also has porches with square columns. Another house, 53 Houghton, has porches on one side and groups of windows on the other. Over the years, some of the houses have been updated. For instance, 57 Houghton has new siding and its porches have been rebuilt.
