Armory Block
Also known as: Tri-S Building
Why it's listed
Standing on the east side of Park Street in Adams Center, this three-story brick commercial block was built in 1894-1895 by Arthur Daniels, a prominent local businessman. It was the largest commercial block of its period in Adams. Its facade is faced in yellow brick and carries ornate Renaissance Revival detail, including a terra cotta cornice with a grapevine frieze, arched windows with moulded archivolts, and a dressed granite entry surround. The structure uses fireproof masonry and steel construction. When it opened, the town library and post office occupied the first floor, offices filled the second, and the third held a large hall that served as the armory for a local military company in which Daniels was an active member. Daniels also held roles in local paper, marble, gas and banking enterprises. Alterations are minor: the original storefronts are covered with modern materials, some transoms are blocked, and a few rear windows were changed. The building keeps its major architectural features.
Significance in brief: It was the largest commercial block of its period in Adams and is described as the town's most finely finished commercial building, with Renaissance Revival trim in terra cotta and dressed granite. It is also tied to Arthur Daniels and to local organizations that first occupied it, including the town library, post office and a military company. It remains essentially intact.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82004944, listed April 1, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 39--45 Park St., Adams |
|---|---|
| County | Berkshire County |
| Listed | April 1, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004944 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1894-95 |
| Architect / builder | Built by Arthur Daniels; architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in good to excellent condition, with commercial use; the original storefronts are encased in modern materials. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.62228, -73.12001 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82004944.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4793755
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.