Building at 29-31 River Street
Why it's listed
This triple-decker at 29-31 River Street in Southbridge was built between 1904 and 1925, based on Sanborn maps. It is a clapboard-clad, three-family house in a Colonial Revival Vernacular style, standing in a row of three-deckers across from the Harrington Cutlery factory. It is one of two similar houses side by side and one of a row of six built in different designs at about the same time on land that had stayed vacant into the twentieth century. Its plain Classical styling, common in the 1910s and 1920s, contrasts with the lacy porches of earlier three-deckers in the Flats. It is regarded as one of the best preserved three-deckers in the Hamilton Street area and has had no major alterations. The house reflects housing growth in Globe Village during the 1920s, when the Hamilton Woolen Company stayed active while many New England textile mills were closing. That company shut down after a strike in 1936.
Significance in brief: The building is significant as an example of the regional multi-family housing type known as the triple decker, built during growth in the town's eastern section. It reflects the severe Classical style common in the 1910s and 1920s and is one of the best preserved three-deckers in the Hamilton Street area. It is also tied to housing growth driven by the Hamilton Woolen Company.
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 89000575, listed June 22, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 29-31 River St., Southbridge |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | June 22, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000575 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival Vernacular |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as good, with no major alterations and no outbuildings; in use as a 3-decker. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.08237, -72.03882 (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 89000575.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4986559
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.