Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank
Also known as: Consumers Savings Bank
Why it's listed
Standing at the corner of Main and Walnut Streets in Worcester, this six-story bank building was designed in 1891 by local architect Stephen C. Earle. It is faced in buff brick with limestone trim, with a rounded corner bay joining its Main Street and Walnut Street fronts. A wide frieze carrying the bank's name and the date 1891 eases the vertical emphasis, and a modillion cornice crowns the top. The upper windows include paired sash set in arches of molded brick. In 1949 the original plate glass and cast iron storefronts were replaced with limestone matching the existing trim, following the rhythm of the upper floors. The building is one of few late nineteenth century commercial structures left on a much-altered Main Street, opposite Mechanics Hall. Its restrained design was early and unusual for Worcester, and its brick and limestone scheme was echoed by the neighboring Day Building. The bank was incorporated in 1854 and gradually took over the whole building by 1953, and the building remains in banking use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant for its architecture and for its continuous role in Worcester's banking history. It is one of few remaining late nineteenth century commercial buildings of its type in downtown Worcester. Its restrained commercial design and buff brick with limestone scheme were early and unusual for the city and were followed in later buildings such as the neighboring Day Building.
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 78000472, listed September 13, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 316 Main St., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | September 13, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000472 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Stephen C. Earle |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in banking use, occupied by the bank that owns it; ground floor storefronts were replaced in 1949 with matching limestone. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.26592, -71.80161 (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 78000472.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8034179
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.