Doran, Thomas F., Three-Decker
Why it's listed
Built around 1894 at 27 John Street in Worcester, this wood-clapboard three-decker stands in a neighborhood northwest of downtown where the city's early three-deckers appeared. It is an unusually ornate and well-preserved example of the Stick style. Features include a hip roof with regularly spaced brackets, a side-hall plan, and an asymmetrical facade with a single-story porch beside a three-story squared bay window. The bay is topped by a gable with spindle work in a sunburst pattern, and the front windows hold floral stained glass. The first owner was Thomas F. Doran, a stage manager at the Worcester Theatre who lived next door at 25 John Street. Early residents included clerks, teachers, and a railroad freight house foreman, reflecting a largely Irish, white-collar and skilled-trade neighborhood. The house has no recorded major alterations. It is valued as a representative early three-decker and as one of few finely detailed Stick style examples in Worcester.
Significance in brief: It represents the earliest phase of three-decker development in the middle-class, multi-family area that grew west of downtown Worcester in the late 19th century. It is also one of the few well-preserved, finely detailed Stick style three-deckers in the city. 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 89002406, listed February 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 27 John St., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | February 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89002406 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Stick 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) | Residential use; condition described as excellent, with no major alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.26807, -71.80583 (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 89002406.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7789437
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.