Lincoln Estate-Elm Park Historic District

This residential district in Worcester, Massachusetts, lies mainly along Cedar and William Streets, with nearby properties on Oak, West, Fruit and Sever Streets. Its houses date from about 1847 to 1930 and form one of the city's densest and best-preserved groups of Victorian and early twentieth-century suburban architecture. Development began with Governor Levi Lincoln, who built Greek Revival houses in the late 1840s, and continued through his sons and his granddaughter Frances Merrick Lincoln, who commissioned many architect-designed houses in the 1880s and 1890s. Lots were also sold to wealthy businessmen and manufacturers. Local firms such as Stephen Earle, Barker & Nourse and Fuller & Delano designed most of the houses. Styles range from Second Empire and Stick Style to Queen Anne, Shingle Style, Colonial Revival and neo-Tudor. Lower William Street was built up between about 1900 and 1929. Since World War II many buildings have become offices, dormitories and classrooms, yet the area still looks residential.