Kaller, Erick, Three-Decker
Why it's listed
Built around 1894, this three-decker at 148 Eastern Avenue in Worcester is a Queen Anne style multi-family house on a hillslope north of Belmont Street. The area was an early center of three-decker building and was home mostly to families of Swedish, Finn-Swede and Finnish background. Many residents worked at the nearby North Works of the Washburn and Moen Company, later American Steel and Wire, or at other firms employing skilled metal workers. Erick J. Kaller, a wireworker, owned the house through 1910 and lived next door at number 146; the family kept both buildings into the 1920s. Tenants over the years included a foreman, a grocer, a machinist and paper hangers. The house keeps its hip roof, side-hall plan, side-wall jog, a single-story porch with turned posts and spindle frieze, a three-story bay window, clapboard siding, and unusually large gear-like corner brackets. Its intact detailing and its link to a working-class immigrant neighborhood support its listing.
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 early example of the Queen Anne style three-decker popular in Worcester in the 1890s. It is argued to meet 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 89002413, listed February 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 148 Eastern Ave., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | February 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89002413 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne Three-Decker |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, European, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential, the same as its original use. Condition is described as good, with no major alterations and no outbuildings. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.27389, -71.78887 (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 89002413.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20888378
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.