Bostrom, Eric, Three-Decker
Why it's listed
Built around 1894 at 152 Eastern Avenue in Worcester, this three-decker is a well-preserved example of the Queen Anne style that was popular in the city during the 1890s. It has a hip roof, side-hall plan and side-wall jog, with a single-story porch featuring an ornate balustrade, turned posts and brackets. A three-story bay window with shingled flared skirts sits beside the porch, while the rest of the house is clad in clapboard. The house stood in an early three-decker area on the hillslope north of Belmont Street, home mainly to families of Swedish, Finn-Swede and Finnish background. Many residents worked at the nearby North Works of the Washburn and Moen Company or in other metalworking firms. Machinist Eric Bostrom owned and lived in the building through the 1920s, and its tenants included a molder, a woodworker, wireworkers and a patternmaker. It is recognized for this neighborhood association and for its unusually ornate, intact design.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant for its link to the Scandinavian, working-class, multi-family neighborhood that developed north of Belmont Street in the late 19th century. It is also a well-preserved, well-detailed and unusually ornate example of an early Queen Anne three-decker, meeting 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 89002414, listed February 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 152 Eastern Ave., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | February 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89002414 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne style Three-Decker |
| 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 described as very good with no major alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.27407, -71.78864 (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 89002414.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5386165
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.