Northbound and Southbound Stations
Why it's listed
Two brick railroad stations face each other across elevated tracks on Mill Street in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The Northbound Station dates from 1906 and the Southbound Station from 1908. Both were built for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad as part of a project that raised the tracks above street level and eliminated thirteen grade crossings. The buildings show Richardsonian Romanesque features, including low horizontal lines, wide overhanging eaves, round-arched windows and terra-cotta tile roofs. The Southbound Station also has a granite lower story and a loggia. Two stations were needed because of heavy freight shipments from the town's jewelry factories and textile mills, along with commuter traffic to Boston and Pawtucket. Plans were signed by railroad engineer Edward Hagel. They are the only remaining examples of the style on this rail line. The Southbound Station closed in the 1970s and was damaged by fire in 1984. Both buildings were rehabilitated in 1986 and are in use today.
Significance in brief: The stations are distinctive, well-preserved examples of Richardsonian Romanesque railroad architecture and the only remaining examples on this line. They also reflect Attleboro's growth as a jewelry and textile manufacturing center, whose freight and passenger demands led to the elevated tracks and the two-station arrangement.
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 88003128, listed January 5, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1 and 3 Mill St., Attleboro |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | January 5, 1989 |
| Reference number | 88003128 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1906-1938 |
| Architect / builder | Engineers - Edward Hagel; Construction Overseers - Mortimer I. Hooper, James F. Keon |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals/Richardsonian Romanesque |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Both stations were rehabilitated in 1986. The Northbound Station remains in use as a ticket office and waiting area, and the Southbound Station, damaged by fire in 1984, now serves as offices. |
| Acreage | 1.7 |
| Coordinates | 41.94220, -71.28449 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 88003128.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4818562
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.