BUILDINGS IN THE 1850s

Below are pictures of typical houses, churches, factories, banks and oration halls. These houses, ranging from cottages to mansions, are examples of what may have been found in a prosperous 1850's city. The churches are also typical styles from the same period. Factories were also a major facet in the 1850's city, which may have resembled these several selected photos. Notice an emphasis on the size and location of each factory indicating its importance to the community. Banks and oration halls were also common landmarks in 1850's America.

HOUSES:

270 PARK AVE. (was called corner of Pleasant St. & Newton St.) BUILT 1855 COURTESY OF WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM

JOHN BROOKS HOUSE 12 Nelson Place BUILT 1850 (Knowlton 146)

CHARLES MILES HOUSE 131 Lincoln Street BUILT 1850 (Knowlton 151)

BENTLEY-JACKSON COTTAGE 9 Earle Street BUILT 1850 (Knowlton 156)

CHURCHES:

VIEW OF 2ND BAPTIST CHURCH 25 PLEASANT ST. OCCUPIED 1844-1889 COURTESY OF WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM

VIEW OF 2ND BAPTIST CHURCH SUMMER ST. BUILT IN 1854 COURTESY OF WORCESTER SUNDAY TELERAM NOV. 16, 1969.

FACTORIES:

WASHBURN & MOEN MANUFACTURING CO.
ESTABLISHED 1831
*Although established in 1831, Washburn & Moen added additions to their factory in the 1850s.

THE JUNCTION SHOP MANUFACTURING DISTRICT BUILT 1851 (Knowlton 108)

THE ADRIATIC MILL 3-35 Armory Street BUILT 1854 (Knowlton 112)

BANK:

WORCESTER BANK BUILDING on Foster Street BUILT 1851 (McCLARY TYMESON 39)

WORCESTER MECHANICS SAVINGS BANK ADVERTISEMENT, 1854

ORATION HALL:

Built in 1854 on the site of the Waldo Mansion, Mechanics Hall paid tribute to the best leading orators of the day. People would flock to Mechanics Hall in droves to hear current issues debated by orators such as John B. Gough and Rufus Choate. Later leading American politicians, such as President McKinley, ex-Vice President Stevenson, Hon. James R. Garfield, President Taft, President Roosevelt, and President Woodrow Wilson would lecture at Mechanics Hall.

INTERIOR OF MECHANICS HALL

EXTERIOR OF MECHANICS HALL.

RESOURCES UTILIZED:

CITY OF WORCESTER. CITY DIRECTORY, 1854.

KNOWLTON, ELLIOTT B. ed., WORCESTER'S BEST: A GUIDE TO THE CITY'S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE. WORCESTER HERITAE PRESERVATION SOCIETY, 1984.

McCLARY TYMESON, MILDRED. WORCESTER BANKBOOK: FROM COUNTRY BARTER TO COUNTY BANK, 1804-1966. WORCESTER: WORCESTER COUNTY NATIONAL BANK, 1966.

WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM

WORCESTER SUNDAY TELEGRAM. NOV. 16, 1969.