Munroe, Sarah, Three-Decker
Why it's listed
Built around 1892, 11 Rodney Street is a wood-frame three-decker in Worcester's Belmont Street area, clad in clapboard and cut shingle. It follows the side-hall plan with a side-wall jog and has a hip roof with a wide cornice and decorative brackets. A single-story portico with lathe-turned posts shelters the entry, beside a projecting three-story bay window with flared shingled skirts. The only major alteration noted is a replacement porch balustrade from the mid-20th century. The house was built at the eastern end of late 19th century subdivisions where Swedish, Swede-Finn and Finnish working-class families settled. Many residents were skilled metal workers employed by the nearby Washburn and Moen Wire Company or other local manufacturers. Early tenants included wire workers, a wire tester and a machinist. Later owners included a baggageman and a policeman. The property was listed for its association with this neighborhood's development and as a well-preserved local example of early Queen Anne three-decker design.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house reflects the growth of an ethnic, working-class residential neighborhood in the Belmont Street area in the late 19th century. It is also described as an unusually well-preserved and well-detailed example of the modest Queen Anne three-decker form built locally in this period.
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 89002432, listed February 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 11 Rodney St., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | February 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89002432 |
| 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; condition is described as very good. The porch balustrade was replaced in the mid-20th century. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.27321, -71.78714 (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 89002432.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7422630
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.