Eddy Block
Why it's listed
Eddy Block is a three-story red brick commercial building with brown sandstone trim at the northeast corner of Main and Davis Streets in Webster's central business district. Lyman R. Eddy had the main section built in 1878 on the site of the Mechanic Block, a hotel and commercial block of 1840 that burned in 1876. A smaller rear section is linked to it by wood-frame passageways. Early tenants included the post office, clothing stores, the Masonic Lodge, the Webster Times and, around the turn of the century, the local District Court. Described as Webster's only Victorian Gothic commercial block, it keeps much of its decorative brickwork, carved stone and incised wood trim. Storefronts have been rebuilt, a one-story addition was made around 1920-30, and the facade gable is partly removed, but the upper floors remain largely intact. Opposite the former railroad depot, it is one of the few surviving blocks reflecting the late nineteenth century commercial character of Railroad Square.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites its integrity of design, materials and site, and its association with the many businesses and uses that characterized Webster's central business district. It is described as Webster's only Victorian Gothic commercial block and one of the few remaining blocks reflecting the late nineteenth century commercial character of Railroad Square.
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 80000470, listed December 3, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 119-131 Main St. and 4 Davis St., Webster |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | December 3, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000470 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1878) |
| Architectural style | Victorian Gothic |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in fair condition; the form notes altered storefronts, a one-story brick addition (ca. 1920-30), and a partly removed facade gable. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.04910, -71.88424 (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 80000470.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5336634
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.