Junction Shop and Hermon Street District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Junction Shop and Hermon Street District
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Jackson Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Properties on Jackson, Hermon, and Beacon Sts., Worcester, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1851 |
| MPS | Worcester MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000533 |
| Added to NRHP | March 05, 1980 |
The Junction Shop and Hermon Street District is a special historic area in Worcester, Massachusetts. It includes 28 old factory buildings on Jackson, Hermon, and Beacon Streets. This district is a reminder of a busy time in the 1800s and early 1900s. Back then, many factories were built here, close to where two major railroads met.
This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's recognized as an important place in American history.
Contents
Building the Junction Shop District
The area started to be developed in the 1850s. Two people named James Estabrook and Charles Wood began building here. The Estabrook family continued to develop the area into the early 1900s.
The oldest building in the district is called the Junction Shop. It was built in 1851 by Eli Thayer. Eli Thayer was a famous teacher, inventor, and abolitionist from Worcester. An abolitionist was someone who worked to end slavery.
How the Junction Shop Worked
Eli Thayer had a smart idea for his factory. He built a large building and then rented out parts of it to smaller companies. He also provided power and other things these companies needed. This was a successful way to help many small businesses grow.
The Junction Shop was powered by two large Corliss steam engines. These engines used steam to create power for the machines inside the factory.
Famous Companies and Buildings
The Junction Shop became well-known because the Knowles Loom Company later used it. This company made special machines called looms, which are used to weave fabric.
The Junction Shop is a three-story stone building. It is about 450 feet (137 meters) long and 50 feet (15 meters) wide. It is located between Jackson, Hermon, and Beacon Streets, and the railroad tracks. Over time, more brick buildings were added around it, making the original stone building harder to see from the outside. These additions were built between the 1870s and 1910s.
Other Factories in the District
Besides the Junction Shop, many smaller factory buildings line Beacon Street. The buildings on the east side of Beacon Street were built by the Estabrook family. They were constructed between the 1870s and 1890s for a company called the Glasgo Thread Company.
The north side of Jackson Street also has factories built by the Estabrooks. You can find more of their factories on the south side of Hermon Street as well.
From Factories to Homes
For many years, some of these old factory buildings became empty and run-down. But in 2012, a plan was approved to give them a new life. Developers decided to turn these historic buildings into affordable homes. This project is now known as the Junction Shops Mill Project.
The Junction Shop lofts officially opened in late 2015. Today, the historic Junction Shop building has been changed into modern apartments. These apartments offer different sizes, from one to four bedrooms. They keep the old charm of the factory while adding modern comforts.
The apartments have cool features like stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. They also have original hardwood or bamboo floors. The high ceilings and large windows from the old factory days are still there, making the apartments bright and spacious.
