City's past, imperiled: Preservation Worcester lists 10 Most Endangered Structures of 2023

Tatum Goetting, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
·5 min read

WORCESTER - Fire damage, broken windows and being a half-century old are all characteristics of the buildings listed on Preservation Worcester’s annual Most Endangered Structures list. The buildings range from carriage houses to large estates.

The list updates the public of the city’s most historic buildings and structures and their significance to the city. Preservation Worcester details these structures as important due to their “historic, architectural or cultural contributions to the landscape of the city.”

Criteria for designation include:

  • Pre-1972 structures in Worcester that are significant for their historic, architectural and/or cultural contributions to the city landscape.

  • Structures threatened by neglect, demolition, alteration, deterioration and/or type of use.

  • Any structure — including residential, commercial, industrial or institutional buildings, bridges, monuments, parks, burial grounds, even entire neighborhoods, city blocks or a particular type of building or building element.

Cow Tavern
Cow Tavern

The Cow Tavern, 274 Salisbury St.

Originally built in 1780, the Cow Tavern operated as a tavern until 1830. The structure is mentioned in the Worcester Historical Museum’s collection of Charles B. Campbell papers. Preservation Worcester says the structure is in a state of “extreme neglect,” noting that parts of the tavern are rotting, have broken windows and “serious foundation issues.” The group said without intervention, the vacant building may get demolished.

Larchmont
Larchmont

Larchmont, 36 Butler St.

Built as a home to Ransom C. Taylor, a wealthy real estate developer, the Larchmont structure is one of the last Italianate and Second Empire-style villas in Worcester. It was designed by Mechanics Hall and St. Paul Cathedral architect Elbridge Boyden. The Larchmont is one of Quinsigamond Village’s “oldest and most significant structures.”

The owner petitioned the Worcester Historical Commission to waive the city’s one-year demolition delay but was denied, according to a Facebook post from Preservation Worcester.

During the demolition delay period, Preservation Worcester will work with the owner to find a buyer for the property.

“As a result of the meeting, Worcester’s one-year demolition delay period is now in place,” the post said. “We have one year to find someone to purchase this incredible property which is listed for sale with Kelleher & Sadowsky. The owner is eager to sell rather than demolish the building.”

Left, from top: 17 Cedar St., Laurel Street, 72 Charloyte St., 52 William St.; Right, from top: 51A Cedar St., Cedar Street, 114 Austin St., 900 Main St.
Left, from top: 17 Cedar St., Laurel Street, 72 Charloyte St., 52 William St.; Right, from top: 51A Cedar St., Cedar Street, 114 Austin St., 900 Main St.

Carriage houses and barns

Carriage houses and barns are outbuildings near a larger home. They became popular in the mid-1800s but grew obsolete by the 1920s due to the popularity of motor vehicles.

Preservation Worcester notes that carriage houses and barns have evolved to serve as garages or offices. These structures often face neglect because zoning laws make it difficult to convert them to rental properties. Carriage houses are at risk of demolition, according to the Worcester Zoning Ordinance.

Preservation Worcester advocates for zoning ordinances to allow carriage houses and barns be used for residential use, noting it would “diversify housing choices” and “provide less expensive housing.”

Pillars and monuments
Pillars and monuments

Pillars and monuments

From 1907 to the 1920s, many Worcester residential homes often included architectural structures like pillars or monuments as part of their original design. These architectural features have been connected to two real estate developers from this period, Thomas E. O’Connell and Edward V. Haines, according to Preservation Worcester.

This is the first time these pillars and monuments have been placed on the Most Endangered Structures list:

  • Chamberlain Parkway entrance and two benches

  • Devens Road

  • Coventry Road

  • Thorndyke Road

  • Monterey Road

  • Brighton Road

  • Coburn Avenue/Woodrow Road

  • Palisades Street

  • Dallas Street/Touraine Street

  • Dallas Street/Woodrow Road

  • 227 Burncoat St.

Thomas Anderson House
Thomas Anderson House

Thomas Anderson House, 206 May St.

Built in 1826, the Thomas Anderson House was part of the 1890 subdivision plan commissioned by George A. Thayer. According to Preservation Worcester, the single-family, shingle-style house has been vacant for years and is deteriorating due to a lack of maintenance.

The property has previously appeared on the list in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022.

The Barn at Hope Cemetery

The Barn at Hope Cemetery was built in 1882, 28 years after the cemetery was constructed. Hope Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historical Places and suffers from neglect and deferred maintenance. The barn is a “stick-style structure, characterized by its verticality, angularity, steeply pitched roof and cupola,” according to Preservation Worcester.

This is the Hope Cemetery Barn’s fourth appearance on the Most Endangered Structures List, previously appearing on it in 2005, 2007 and 2022.

29 Bellevue St.
29 Bellevue St.

29 Bellevue St.

The three-decker built in 1900 has retained its original wood shingle and clapboard siding and features a wraparound porch, according to Preservation Worcester. It is located in one of Worcester’s oldest neighborhoods.

The nine-bedroom, three-apartment building survived “substantial fire damage” and the removal of the second- and third-floor porches. Preservation Worcester praised the owner of the building for preserving most of the structure’s original design, and in the event of a rebuilding, hope to “restore the building’s original materials and charm.”

Hyman Zive three-decker
Hyman Zive three-decker

Hyman Zive three-decker, 135 Providence St.

The Hyman Zive three-decker is a collection of three-deckers built in the late 1920s. They are primarily craftsman and Colonial revival style and are some of the last of the three-decker developments in Worcester.

Worcester Preservation describes 135 Providence St. as a building in “poor condition” in comparison to its neighbors. On the second floor, a section of wooden shingles on the porch are missing and a window is missing and boarded up. Overall, the building has much of its original design but lack of maintenance is likely the cause of internal damage, according to Preservation Worcester.

In 2005, a neighboring house caught fire, which spread to 135 Providence St., damaging the roof and second- and third-floor units. The roof was replaced in 2005.

Greendale Village Improvement Society
Greendale Village Improvement Society

Greendale Village Improvement Society Building, 480 West Boylston St.

The Greendale Village Improvement Society was founded in 1895 by Greendale residents for the betterment of their neighborhood. The organization took up trash collection, snow removal and organized fire protection efforts, according to Preservation Worcester.

In 1897, it was decided the organization needed a home and the Kendrick family deeded the land where the building is today.

This is the first time the Greendale Village Improvement Society Building is on Preservation Worcester’s Most Endangered Structures List.

2022 Preservation Worcester lists city's 10 Most Endangered Structures for 2022

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Preservation Worcester lists 10 Most Endangered Structures of 2023