Brockton Edison Electric Illuminating Company Power Station
Also known as: Brockton Edison Company -- Old Power Station
Why it's listed
Four connected brick buildings at 70 School Street in downtown Brockton make up a power station complex built between 1883 and 1907. The oldest part, a one-story fireproof brick building with a granite foundation, was designed by Frank J. Sprague, chief engineer to Thomas Edison. Its Italianate details include arched openings, brick pilasters and a raised brick cornice. Three additions followed: a boiler room with a large round brick furnace, an engine room for alternating current generators, and a 1907 substation. Later alterations changed the roof and removed the chimney and machinery. The original station was the first electric generating plant in Massachusetts and the first in the country to use a three-wire underground transmission and distribution system. It is also an early, well-preserved example of late 19th century industrial building, notable for fireproof materials and an open plan. The additions record how Brockton's electricity industry expanded.
Significance in brief: The original station was the first electric generating plant in Massachusetts and the first in the United States to use a three-wire underground transmission and distribution system. It is also an early, well-preserved example of late 19th century industrial construction using fireproof materials and an open plan. The three later additions are well-preserved examples of their types and reflect the growth of Brockton's electricity industry.
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 87000874, listed September 17, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 70 School St., Brockton |
|---|---|
| County | Plymouth County |
| Listed | September 17, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000874 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1883-1907 |
| Architect / builder | Frank J. Sprague, Engineer |
| Architectural style | Italianate details on the original 1883 building; the first addition is not associated with any particular style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in private ownership, with present use given as storage; many openings are boarded up and the exterior needs repointing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.08341, -70.99554 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 87000874.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4972870
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.