High-School Streets Historic District

High and School Streets climb a hillside above the Hamilton Woolen Mill in Southbridge, Massachusetts. The district covers about four acres and contains fourteen one- and two-family houses from the mid-19th century, plus an early-20th century garage. The Hamilton Woolen Company owned the land and began selling house lots in 1844, requiring each buyer to build a house worth at least one thousand dollars. Growth followed the success of delaines cloth, which brought skilled mill workers, supervisors, foremen and merchants to Globe Village. Most houses are Greek Revival, often with a gable front, three-bay side-entry plan, corner pilasters, pedimented gables and entrances with sidelights and transoms. Italianate, Victorian vernacular and Stick style touches also appear. An unusually high share of the houses are brick, including the Kitching, Clemence and Whiting houses. The area is considered the largest and best preserved group of mid-19th century dwellings in the town and retains its original setting and design.