Clark Houses
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Two neighboring houses at 74 and 76 West Central Street in Natick show the Second Empire style with its high mansard roofs. The Edward Clark House, built in 1870, is a three-story T-plan building on a granite foundation, with beaded clapboards, scroll brackets under the eaves and fish scale roof tiles. Its central pavilion has an entrance porch with double columns and ornate arched windows. The Mary Clark Whitney House, built in the early 1870s for Edward Clark's cousin, resembles it but has simpler detailing, including paired Doric columns at the entrance. Both are significant as fine local examples of the style. They are also linked to Edward Clark, born in Natick in 1838, who became a prominent grocer, served as town treasurer from 1889 to 1910, and sat on the board of the Natick National Bank. The exterior of his house was restored in 1976 after a long period of neglect.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the houses are two of the finer examples of the Second Empire/mansard style in Natick. They are also significant for their association with Edward Clark, a local grocer, town treasurer and bank director.
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 78000453, listed February 17, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 74 and 76 W. Central St., Natick |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | February 17, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000453 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire (mansard style) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior of the Edward Clark House was restored in 1976 after a long period of neglect; condition listed as good and both houses are private residences. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.28225, -71.35642 (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 78000453.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5127278
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.