Luther's Corner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Luther's Corner
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Swansea, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| MPS | Swansea MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000054 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1990 |
Luther's Corner is a special historic area in Swansea, Massachusetts. It was once the main business center of the town. This important spot is found where Old Warren and Pearse Roads meet. Old Warren Road used to be a busy route for stagecoaches. For many years, the well-known Luther family was connected to this area. Luther's Corner was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it is a place worth protecting because of its history.
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Exploring Luther's Corner
Luther's Corner is located in the western part of Swansea. It is just southwest of where United States Route 6 and Interstate 195 cross. Old Warren Road used to be a major road. However, parts of it were removed when the highway was built.
This corner became a popular stop for stagecoaches in the early 1800s. It offered services to travelers passing through. Because of this, it grew into Swansea's main business area during the first half of the 19th century.
Important Buildings and Families
Four main buildings are part of this 1.5-acre historic district. Three of them are linked to the important Luther family. These buildings include:
- The Luther Store (built around 1815-1818). This building is now a local history museum.
- The James Luther Tavern (built around 1800). A tavern was a place where travelers could eat and sleep.
- The John Brown-Luther House (built around 1811). This was a family home.
The fourth building is the Seth Eddy House and Store. It was built in 1871. Today, it is used only as a home. All four of these buildings are two-and-a-half stories tall. They are made of wood.
The Luther Store's Role
The Luther Store was one of the most successful businesses in Swansea. This was in the mid-1800s. It was not just a store; it also held the local post office. Plus, it had the town's library!
Changes Over Time
The Luther Store closed in 1870. After that, the building became a home. The Eddy Store then took its place. However, the importance of Luther's Corner began to fade. This was partly because more people started using railroads. The railroad lines ran further south, away from the corner.
The town green was once at the center of the road junction. It even had a bandstand where music was played. But in 1901, the green was removed. This was done to make way for a new streetcar line.
