Historic Virtual Tour
This map of Worcester's Main Street in 1896, published by L.J. Richards and Company, Springfield, MA. Worcester's Main Street has always been in the same place. The Nipmucs once used its low-lying, fertile ground nested between many hills to grow crops. Since then, many men and women have made history here and many buildings have been erected and torn down so others could take their place, six buildings deep at some sites. But without a built environment to guide us, it is (almost) impossible to discover what happened on this amazing thoroughfare. As you move your mouse down the streets take time to reflect on the courage, energy, and innovation that is in Worcester.
"All historic images are from the collections of the Worcester Historic Museum, Worcester, MAssachusetts"
1. This is Old South Church, erected in 1719. It was the site of city government when church and state were one. It stood exactly where City Hall stands now.
2. From the porch of Old South Church, patriot printer Isaiah Thomas, publisher of the Massachusetts Spy and founder of the American Antiquarian Society, read the Declaration of Independence for the first time in New England on July 14, 1776 after having flagged down the horse and rider who was carrying it down Main Street
to Boston.
3. This was the first building designed expressly for city offices. It was a handsome Greek Revival constructed in 1825.
4. The present Second Renaissance Revival Style City Hall was built in 1898.
5. In 1839 Main Street’s Nobility Hill residences stood where the Sovereign Bank Tower stands now. The building to the far right in this picture on the left hand side of the street is now Worcester Child Development. Head Start’s Central Administrative Offices moved to 770 Main Street.
6. A View of the Common in 1896.
7. View of Main Street c1900.
8. View of Main Street c1900.
9. Worcester first "skyscraper" built in 1894-97 now known as the Commerce Building. Renaissance Revival in style, it was built as the second office building for what is now Allmerica Financial.
10. Brinley Hall, built in 1836-37, was on this site before the Commerce Building. The first National Women’s Rights Convention was held here on October 26 and 27th, 1850. 1000 people from 11 states attended.
11. Built in 1856, this was the largest hotel in the city and remained in business for 75 years. Across the street was Flagg’s Block, a similar Italianate commercial block, also built about the same time as Mechanic’s Hall. Flagg’s Block was one of the few still standing nearby that gave the feeling of what downtown Worcester looked like as it began to take shape as an important and prosperous industrial center.
12. The terminus of the Blackstone Canal was built in 1828 and Worcester’s trade lifeline to Providence and the sea, was here between Central and Thomas Streets.
13. Advertisement for J.P. Kettell & Co. One of the many merchants whose businesses thrived from the use of the Blackstone Canal.
14. This site has served as the seat of Worcester County government since its formation in 1731-33. This is the first courthouse. The second, another wooden building, is still in use as a residence on Massachusetts Ave.
15. The present Classical Revival Courthouse is a culmination of four expansions incorporating the original Greek Revival building.
16. Salisbury Mansion in 1885.
17. Worcester Vocational School stands in this location today.