Blodgett, Lydia, Three-Decker
Why it's listed
Built around 1902 at 167 Eastern Avenue in Worcester, this three-decker is a well-preserved example of Queen Anne housing design. It has a side-hall plan and an unusual cross-gable form. The asymmetrical front has a three-tier porch on slender Tuscan columns, beside a three-story bay window. A gable sweeps lower than the cornice over the bay, giving the facade a distinctive look. Walls are clapboard, with shingles on the bays, and heavy corner brackets with pendants decorate the cornice. The house sits at the northern edge of a cluster of three-deckers near Belmont Street, a working-class neighborhood of Swedish, Finn-Swede and Finnish families, many employed as skilled metal workers. The first known owners were the heirs of Lydia Blodgett. Later residents included a coachman, a painter, machinists, a molder and a dry goods merchant. It was listed for its link to that neighborhood and for its architectural quality and integrity.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant for its association with the working-class, Scandinavian, multi-family district that developed along Belmont Street in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also an unusually well-preserved and particularly ornate example of Queen Anne three-decker design, with an uncommon cross-gable form. It meets criteria A and C at the local level.
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 89002417, listed February 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 167 Eastern Ave., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | February 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89002417 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, European, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential, condition is very good, and no major alterations are recorded. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.27490, -71.78782 (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 89002417.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6707588
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.