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National Register of Historic Places listings in southwestern Worcester, Massachusetts facts for kids

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Worcester, Massachusetts, is a city with a rich history! Many of its old buildings and areas are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This special list helps protect places that tell us about America's past.

In Worcester, there are 281 places on this list. This article focuses on 81 of these amazing spots. They are all located in a specific part of the city: west of the I-190 and I-290 highways, and south of Massachusetts Route 122. One special place, the Blackstone Canal Historic District, even stretches into other parts of the city!

If you want to see where these historic places are on a map, you can click on "Map of all coordinates" in the online version of this page.

Worcester's Historic Treasures

Worcester has many buildings and areas that are like time capsules, showing us how people lived and worked long ago. These places are officially recognized for their historical value. Let's explore some of them!

Homes with History: Three-Deckers and More

Many of Worcester's historic homes are known as "Three-Deckers." These are large, three-story apartment buildings that were very popular in New England. They provided homes for many families, especially during times when cities were growing fast.

  • Catherine Ahern Three-Decker: Located at 215 Cambridge Street, this building was added to the list in 1990.
  • Marion Battelle Three-Decker: You can find this historic home at 13 Preston Street. It joined the list in 1990.
  • Thomas Crabtree Three-Decker: This house at 22 Haynes Street became historic in 1990.
  • Wesley Davis Three-Decker: Found at 7 Albert Street, this building was recognized in 1990.
  • Levi Flagg Three-Decker: This home at 79 Florence Street was added in 1990.
  • Charles A. Hall Three-Decker: Located at 68 Mason Street, this three-decker joined the list in 1990.
  • Samuel Hirst Three-Decker: This historic home is at 90 Lovell Street and was listed in 1990.
  • Daniel Hunt Three-Decker: You can find this building at 9 Wyman Street, listed in 1990.
  • Harry B. Ingraham Three-Decker: This home at 19 Freeland Street was added in 1990.
  • Thomas Lumb Three-Decker (Dewey Street): This building at 80 Dewey Street was listed in 1990.
  • Thomas Lumb Three-Decker (Winfield Street): Another Thomas Lumb Three-Decker is at 44 Winfield Street, also listed in 1990.
  • John Mark Three-Decker: This historic home is at 24 Sigel Street, added in 1990.
  • Andrew McCarron Three-Decker: Located at 3 Pitt Street, this building was listed in 1990.
  • John B. McDermott Three-Decker: This home at 21 Freeland Street became historic in 1990.
  • James O'Connor Three-Decker: Found at 23 Endicott Street, this building was recognized in 1990.
  • James O'Connor-John Trybowski Three-Decker: This unique historic home is at 21 Canton Street, listed in 1990.
  • Frank Reed Three-Decker: You can find this building at 913 and 915 Main Street, added in 1990.
  • Albert Ridyard Three-Decker: This home at 5 Mount Pleasant Street was listed in 1990.
  • Clara Simpson Three-Decker: Located at 69 Piedmont Street, this three-decker joined the list in 1990.
  • Edward Stone Three-Decker: This historic home is at 8 Wyman Street, added in 1990.
  • John Troupes Three-Decker: Found at 25 Canton Street, this building was recognized in 1990.

Some other interesting houses include:

  • Elias Crawford House: This house at 3 Norwood Street was listed in 1980.
  • Dowley-Taylor House: Located at 770 Main Street, this house joined the list in 1980.
  • C.H. Fitch House: This home at 15 Oread Street was added in 1980.
  • Lucius Knowles House: You can find this historic house at 838 Main Street, listed in 1980.
  • John Legg House: This home at 5 Claremont Street was recognized in 1980.
  • Norcross Brothers Houses: These two houses at 16 and 18 Claremont Street were listed in 1980.
  • James Schofield House: Located at 3 Mt. Pleasant Street, this house joined the list in 1980.
  • Moody Shattuck House: This historic home is at 768 Main Street, added in 1980.
  • Edward Stark House: Found at 21 Oread Street, this house was recognized in 1980.
  • Daniel Stevens House: This home at 7 Sycamore Street was listed in 1980.
  • Franklin Wesson House: You can find this historic house at 8 Claremont Street, added in 1980.

Important Buildings and Districts

Worcester also has many other types of historic places, from factories to churches and even entire neighborhoods!

  • Adriatic Mills: This old mill at 3-35 Armory Street was listed in 1980, but it has since been taken down.
  • Ashworth and Jones Factory: Another historic factory, located at 1511 Main Street, was added in 1980.
  • Aurora Hotel: This grand hotel at 652-660 Main Street became a historic site in 1988.
  • Beacon Street Firehouse: This old fire station at 108 Beacon Street was listed in 1980.
  • Boynton and Windsor: These buildings at 718 and 720 Main Street were recognized in 1980.
  • Brightside Apartments: This apartment building at 2 King Street was added in 1980.
  • Cambridge Street Firehouse: Another historic fire station, located at 534 Cambridge Street, was listed in 1980.
  • Cambridge Street School: This old school building at 510 Cambridge Street was recognized in 1980.
  • Castle Street Row: A row of historic buildings at 4-18 and 20-24 Castle Street was added in 1980.
  • Corner Lunch: This diner at 133 Lamartine Street is a more recent addition, listed in 2000.
  • Downing Street School: This school at 92 Downing Street was recognized in 1980.
  • Emmanuel Baptist: This church at 717 Main Street was added in 1980.
  • Fairlawn: A historic estate at 189 May Street, listed in 1980.
  • Freeland Street School: This school building at 12 Freeland Street was recognized in 1980.
  • Hadley Furniture Company Building: This building at 651-659 Main Street was added in 2011.
  • Hammond Organ Factory: This factory at 9 May Street was listed in 1980.
  • Holy Name of Jesus Complex: This group of buildings on Illinois Street was recognized in 1988.
  • Hope Cemetery: This historic cemetery at 119 Webster Street was added in 1997.
  • IOOF Building: This building at 674 Main Street was listed in 1980.
  • Lucius Knowles House: This house at 838 Main Street was listed in 1980.
  • Masonic Temple: This temple on Ionic Avenue was recognized in 1980.
  • Miss Worcester Diner: This classic diner at 302 Southbridge Street was added in 2003.
  • S. D. Newton House: This house at 8 Sycamore Street was listed in 1980.
  • Pilgrim Congregational Church: This church at 909 Main Street was recognized in 1980.
  • St. Mark's Episcopal Church: This church on Freeland Street was added in 1980.
  • St. Matthew's Episcopal Church: This church at 693 Southbridge Street was listed in 1980.
  • St. Peters Catholic Church: This church at 935 Main Street was recognized in 1980.
  • South Unitarian Church: This church at 888 Main Street was added in 1980.
  • South Worcester Branch Library: This library at 705 Southbridge Street was listed in 1980.
  • Stearns Tavern: This old tavern at 651 Park Avenue was recognized in 1980.
  • The Vendome and the St. Ives: These buildings at 17-19 and 21-23 Chandler Street were added in 1990.
  • Webster Street Firehouse: This fire station at 40 Webster Street was listed in 1980.
  • Whittall Mills: These mills off Brussels Street were recognized in 1980.
  • Woodland Street Firehouse: This fire station at 36 Woodland Street was added in 1980.
  • Worcester Bleach and Dye Works: This industrial site at 60 Fremont Street was listed in 2000.
  • Worcester Corset Company Factory: This factory at 30 Wyman Street was recognized in 1984.
  • Worcester Market Building: This building at 831 Main Street was added in 1980.

Historic Neighborhoods and Areas

Some areas are so special that entire districts are listed on the National Register. These districts often include many historic buildings that together tell a story about the past.

  • Beaver Street Historic District: This district at 31-39 Beaver Street was listed in 1990.
  • Blackstone Canal Historic District: This district includes sites along the historic route of the Blackstone Canal. It was added in 1995 and even extends into other towns!
  • Clark University: The historic core buildings of Clark University, bounded by Maywood, Woodland, and Main Streets, were recognized as a district in 1980.
  • Crystal Street Historic District: This district at 30-34 Crystal Street was listed in 1990.
  • Junction Shop and Hermon Street District: This district includes properties on Jackson, Hermon, and Beacon Streets. It was added in 1980.
  • May Street Historic District: This district at 29-46 May Street was recognized in 1980.
  • Southbridge-Sargent Manufacturing District: This district includes areas on Southbridge, Sargent, and Gold Streets. It was listed in 1980.
  • Wellington Street Apartment House District: This district includes properties along Jacques Avenue and Wellington and Irving Streets. It was added in 1980.
  • Woodland Street Historic District: This district includes properties along Hawthorne, Loudon, Norwood, and Woodland Streets. It was recognized in 1980.

These historic places help us remember and learn about the rich past of Worcester, Massachusetts!

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National Register of Historic Places listings in southwestern Worcester, Massachusetts Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.