Davis, Isaac, House
Why it's listed
Built between 1870 and 1872 at 59 Elm Street in Worcester, this three-story brick house was the home of Isaac Davis, a lawyer who also served as mayor and as president of several banks and insurance companies. Its architect, Gen. William Walker, came from Providence, Rhode Island, and the design resembles Italianate buildings there. The house has a low hip roof, a cornice with dentils and modillions, sandstone window trim on consoles, and symmetrical facades facing Elm and Oak Streets. An elaborate Corinthian entry porch marks the Oak Street side, and a cast-iron fence set in granite posts surrounds the lot. The cost was estimated in 1888 at $100,000, and the house is described as the most elaborate of its period still standing in Worcester. The Worcester Club bought the property after Davis died in 1883. Stephen Earle remodelled the interior in 1888, a brick ell was added in 1911, and the original cupola was removed.
Significance in brief: The form calls it a unique local example of Italianate architecture, resembling the Italianate buildings of Providence, Rhode Island. It is described as by far the most elaborate house of its period still standing in Worcester. It is also tied to Isaac Davis, a prominent lawyer, banker, insurance executive and three-time mayor, and to the Worcester Club, which has occupied it since 1888.
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 80000578, listed March 5, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1 Oak St., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | March 5, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000578 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Gen. William Walker of Providence (1870-1872); Stephen Earle (1888 interior remodelling); James Purdon (1911 ell) |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as the Worcester Club, a private social club, since 1888; the form notes alterations including a rear ell and removal of the cupola. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.26567, -71.80815 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 80000578.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6076230
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.