Ted's Diner
Why it's listed
Ted's Diner, at 67 Main Street in Milford, is a prefabricated barrel-roof diner built in the 1920s by Jerry O'Mahony, Inc. of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Its red porcelain enamel panels, nine-bay front and unusually wide form set it apart, and it is the only diner in Milford. It is the oldest of about fourteen O'Mahony diners remaining in Massachusetts. Over the decades the diner was joined to the late 19th-century house behind it, creating a larger seating area and a full kitchen. That change mirrored a broader move in the diner industry, beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, toward family-oriented, restaurant-style dining that could compete with fast food chains. The diner has served Milford's downtown near Town Hall since at least 1931, and artist John Baeder painted it in 1974. It was recognized for its architecture and its place in local commerce. The Town of Milford has owned it since about 1995.
Significance in brief: It is one of the earliest surviving diners in Massachusetts and the oldest of about fourteen O'Mahony diners still in the state. It has long been part of Milford's downtown business district. Its expansion into the adjoining house reflects the 1950s-60s shift toward family-style restaurants.
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 00001395, listed November 29, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 67 Main St., Milford |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | November 29, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00001395 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1920s-ca. 1970 |
| Architect / builder | Jerry O'Mahony, Inc., Elizabeth, NJ |
| Architectural style | Other: New England Barrel Roof Diner |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the Town of Milford since about 1995, which acquired the property intending to replace the buildings with a new Fire Department headquarters; the diner was still operating as a restaurant when the form was prepared. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.14293, -71.51750 (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 00001395.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7692929
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.