Wells, H. C., Double House
Why it's listed
This two-family house at 28-30 Dresser Street in Southbridge was built between about 1888 and 1894 in the Queen Anne style. It went up on one of two vacant lots remaining on a nearly developed street, apparently built by Hiram C. Wells, who was involved in the American Optical Company. Wells also built other houses nearby that seem to have been income properties. The house is simpler than many single-family Queen Anne homes, with a basically rectangular plan and symmetrical design, yet its broad proportions and quality materials are typical of the style at its best. Features include a granite foundation, stained glass windows, diamond-paned transom windows, large bay windows, swag-ornamented window trim, end gable pent roofs, faceted dormers and a curved skirt at the second-floor shingling. By the early twentieth century, the house served as housing for company employees, as did other houses once owned by the Wells family. It remains residential and in excellent condition, with its original character intact.
Significance in brief: It is significant as multi-family housing built by the Wells family for American Optical Company workers during the growth of Southbridge's eastern section in the late 19th century. It is unusual among local multi-family housing for its high-style Queen Anne design and quality construction. It is well preserved and has no major alterations.
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 89000531, listed June 22, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 28--30 Dresser St., Southbridge |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | June 22, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000531 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; apparently built by Hiram C. Wells |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition excellent; present use residential; no major alterations and not moved. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.07400, -72.03558 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 89000531.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5627902
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.