Walking Map

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Union Station – Washington Square

Built in 1911 of white glazed terracotta, Union Station is a powerful symbol of Worcester at the height of its industrial prosperity.  This Beaux Arts Classical style building is modeled after the ancient Basilica of Maxentius in Rome, but with the addition of two ornate baroque-style towers that break the skyline as they  rise  high  above  the  main  facade. Inside, the station's grand hall is one of the city's most dramatic  interior  spaces  –  with  a  soaring  vaulted  ceiling,  stained  glass  skylights,  ornate plasterwork, and marble trim.

Extended version - Brief History

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Heywood Boot & Shoe Company, Wachusett Building, 68-80 Winter Street

This factory was built in 1879 for the Heywood Boot & Shoe Company.  Boot and shoe manufacturing  was Worcester’s third largest industry.

Extended version - Harding and Winter Street Manufacturing District

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St. John’s Church and Rectory, Temple Street   This mid-19th-century Greek Revival style church was built by the first Roman Catholic parish in central Massachusetts.It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Extended version - Worcester’s First Catholic Priest and the College of theHoly Cross.

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91 Green Street  - The Cove Music Hall. Hear about some of the notable bands that have played in clubs at this site and put this building on the “map.”

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Ash Street School – 4 Ash Street

Built in 1850, this is the second oldest surviving school building in Worcester.

Extended version - Early Childhood Home of Poet Laureate, Stanley Kunitz

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John T. Cahill House, 42 Green Street

This building was once a grand mansion  completed in 1852 as the home of an Irish-born railroad contractor.

Extended version - Irish Community Leader, Tobias Boland

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Father Mathew Hall (White Eagle Building) – 116-120 Green Street

Originally home to an Irish temperance society, this building is now owned by a Polish social club.

Extended version - Irish Temperance Societies

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Crompton Loom Works – 132-142 Green Street

This factory was built in 1860, for the manufacture of textiles and looms. It is one of the oldest surviving factory buildings in Worcester.

Extended version - Homes of George Crompton and Playwright S.N. Behrman

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82-88 Winter Street

Built around 1898, this building has housed a variety of businesses. One of the first was Worcester Stained Glass Works upstairs at No. 88.

Extended version - Anarchist Emma Goldman and Ice Cream

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J.H. & G.M. Walker Shoe Company  28 Water Street

This factory was built for the J.H. & G.M. Walker Shoe Company in 1870.  This company is considered to be the “Father” of most of Worcester’s 23 other late-19th century boot and shoe manufacturers.

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W.H. Hill Envelope Company, 48 Water Street

This factory was built for the W.H. Hill Envelope Company in 1890. Envelopes were Worcester’s second largest industry. This building can be viewed from both the Water Street side and the Harding Street side, where the loading docks were.