BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
FORM B - BUELDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 2397 AREA DEC 2 6 1989 FORM NO. 1623 Photo (3"x3" or 3"x5", black and white) Indicate address of property on back of photo. Staple to left side of form. Sketch Map: Draw map showing property's location in relation to nearest cross streets and/or geographical features. Indicate all buildings between inventoried property and nearest intersection(s). Indicate north See attached map. Town Worcester 215 Cambridge Street Address Historic Name Catherine Ahern Three-Decker Use: Present residential Original residential DESCRIPTION Date ca.
1888 Source Worcester House Directory Style Italianate Three-Decker Architect unknown Exterior Wall Fabric wood clapboard Outbuildings none Major Alterations (with dates) none Condition very good UTM REFERENCE 19/267140/4680470 Worcester South USGS QUADRANGLE SCALE 1:25,000 Moved Date Acreage less than 1/4 acre Setting Late 19th/early 20th century urban, multi-family residential area; on a major street, adjacent to a mia- 20th century garage/used car lot. Recorded byMichael Steinitz Clark University Organization Date June 1980 Reivised for MHC by Michael NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable) the Catherine Ahern Three-Decker possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association.
It is Significant representative example of the earliest phase of three-decker develop- ment in the Cambridge Street neighborhood, an ethnically mixed, working-class residential area that e panded with the growth of nearby industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also one of the best-preserved, wel1-detailed examples of Italianate three-decker design in the area. Ahern Three-Decker thus meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places on the local level. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms o other buildings within the community. Architecturally, 215 Cambridge Streetis a remarkably well-preserved and finel] detailed example of Italianae three-decker design. The building is sheathed in wood, and has a moderately pitched hip roof.
It is quite unusual in that it presents its long, six bay elevation to the street as the main facade. The end bay entry consists of double-leaf, panelled doors. The entry and adjacent window bay are sheltered by a projecting, single-story portico, supported by chamierd posts. Porch details include decorative cut brackets, small cornice brackets, and an open balustrade. Regularly spaced, paired brackets decorate the roof cornice overhang. Windows have 2/2 sash, and retain original window cap moldings. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community. Built by 1888, the Catherine Ahern Three-Decker was part of the late 19th century, multi-family residential development that took place in the industrial district defined by the three rail lines that radiated southwest from downtown Worcester.
The location of new factories along these transport corridors attracted a largely immigrant work force, and families who located along Cambridge Street were mostly of French-Canadian, Irish, and English extraction. Many were employed in nearby metal processing or textile factories as machinists, wireworkers, or carpet weavers. The earlies known owner of 215 Cambridge Street was Catherine Ahern. John Ahern, a laborer, lived here from ca. 1888 through 1910. Other residents in 1888 included John Roberts and John O'Connor, both machinists. In 1900, residents included William Taylor, Charles North, and Beaumont Brooks, all machinists. Occupants in 1910 included Frank Silk, a porter; and Gustaf Nystrom, a clerk.
By 1920, the house was owned as a rental property by Alphonse Beaulieu, a carpenter who owned three other houses in the neighborhood, and who continued to own 215 Cambridge through 1930. Occupants in 1920 included Phillip Barre, a carpenter; George Gross, a pressfeeder; and Eugene Graveline, a helper. In 1930, tenants included Alvin Hinkley, an assistant foreman; and Edwin Sward, a toolmaker, both employed at the nearby screw manufacturing plant of the Reed and Prince Company. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Worcester Directory, Worcester House Directory, 1888,1890,1900,1910,1920,1930. L.J. Richards, Atlis of the City of Worcester, 1896, 1911, 1922. J. Callahan et. al., Worcester Three-Decker Survey, 1981. 8/8! Na róm 10.0004 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page .
Worcester Three-Deckers MRA Worcester County, MASSACHUSETTS COVER Gubstantive Bevied OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 a muste MRA (wauester pher-Derkute) Date Listed 1. Ahern, Cathørine, Ihree-Decker Entered in tlia Natlonal Register Jorkeeper Attest fRéeper awase 02-00-90 Attest 2. Anderson, Ludwag, Three-Decker 3. Baker, Peter, Three-Decker Entered in the Natlonal Registe Keeper Attest Entered in the National Register Keeper Attest Entered in the 4. BattElle, Marion, Three-Decker Hat1onel Begister Keeper Attest 5. Beaver Street Historic District Entered in the Nat1onal Begistfeeper 6. Blodgett, Lydia, Three-Decker 7. Bostrom, Eric, Three-Decker Attest Entered in the Mat1oga1 BegistoytKeeper Attest Entered in the Natloga1 Regista/Keeper Attest 8. Bousquet, Henry, Three-Decker Entered in the (Keeper National Register 9.
Carlson, Eric, Three-Decker Attest Entered in the Matsonal Registen Heeper Attest 10.
Crabtreem Thomas, Three-Decker Entered in the bat1ona1 Regisdeeper Attest AllarBjus 2/9/76 AulonesBgan2/4kc Kelmeßayen12/940 AllarByastte Ailuaßgen 2/917 AluuAgar 01119 Aelueßgutte AllereByua+t1/92 AelmuBoge 2/9/92 AelmuBya 0/2/50 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Ahern, Catherine, Three-Decker NAME: MULTIPLE Worcester Three-Deckers MRA NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Worcester DATE RECEIVED: 12/26/89 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 1/25/90 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 1/09/90 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 2/09/90 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 89002392 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: OPPER: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N PDIL: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N COMMENT WAIVER: N LACCEPT _RETURN REJECT 2/7/90 DATE Entered in thie Natlonal Register ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N CLASSIFICATION count resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION FUNCTION historic current DESCRIPTION architectural classification materials descriptive text SIGNIFICANCE Period Areas of Significance--Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other BIBLIOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHICAL DATA acreage UTMS verbal boundary description _boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION sketch maps OTHER COMMENTS USGS maps photographs Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone _presentation Signed Date CATHERINE, AHERN THREE 215 CAMBRIDGE STREET WORCESTER, MA MHe# 1623 Worcester Three-Deckers in CATHERINE AHERN THREE 215 CAMBRIAGE STREET WORCESTER, mA MRC#1623 wareste Three-Decters Mht 224 FREEL CAMERIDG SCOFIELD HEN SCMOOK FiALICO VACANT Pond PICA CRYSTAL * UNIVERSITY PARK NO 'EsUs (R) ILLINOIS -CHURd DRTKE HOLY NAI VESIE (R.C) ST KESSEL PARK 6 BUILDEAS L MORSE MASONS SUPACO BOURKE() B raruse CRYSTAL 217 Catherine Ahern Three-Decker 215 Cambridge St., Worcester MHC # 1623 SCALE OF FEET ROAPAICNT LANAORA ME TOMINT H B ILLINOIS C- WALPOLE 2 Hx2rs :215 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000305