Carlson, Eric, Three-Decker
Why it's listed
Built around 1894 at 154 Eastern Avenue in Worcester, this wood-clapboard and cut-shingle three-decker is a well-preserved example of the Queen Anne style that was popular for multi-family housing in the city during the 1890s. It has a hip roof, a side-hall plan and a side-wall jog. Unlike neighboring houses of the same date, it has a three-tier porch with spindle friezes, balustrades and turned posts, beside a three-story bay window with flared shingled skirts. The house stood in an early three-decker area on the slope north of Belmont Street, settled largely by Swedish, Finn-Swede and Finnish families. Many residents worked at the nearby North Works of the Washburn and Moen Company or in other firms employing skilled metal workers. The first owner, blacksmith Eric Carlson, lived here, and early tenants included an emery wheel maker, a roller, a shoemaker and a cabinetmaker. It was listed for its link to this working-class neighborhood and for its architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is tied to the Scandinavian, working-class, multi-family neighborhood that grew north of Belmont Street in the late 19th century. It is also a well-preserved, well-detailed and unusually ornate early Queen Anne three-decker. It is judged significant at the local level under criteria A and C.
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 89002415, listed February 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 154 Eastern Ave., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | February 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89002415 |
| 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) | Condition is described as good, and the present use is residential. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.27425, -71.78852 (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 89002415.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5386241
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.