Front Street, Worcester

Front Street in Worcester boasts a rich history that dates back to the early days of the town. Originally a path worn by settlers on their way to church and town meetings at the Meeting House on the Common, it evolved alongside the town's growth.

Photographs from the late 19th century to the 1960s depict Front Street as a vibrant, crowded thoroughfare lined with department stores, variety shops, and theaters. It was distinctly urban, bustling with shoppers frequenting popular department stores like Sherer’s and American Supply, as well as variety stores such as Woolworth’s and Newberry’s.

Today, Front Street showcases a diverse range of commercial buildings, each reflecting different periods of Worcester’s architectural history. Harrington Corner, constructed in 1850, stands as the oldest building on the street. Other structures from the 1880s to the 1940s offer a glimpse into the city's growth and development over the decades.

Notable landmarks on Front Street include the Chase Building at number 44, a seven-story red brick edifice built in 1886, which was the tallest building in Worcester at the time. Its design, inspired by the early skyscrapers of Chicago and New York, originally featured mansard roofs and a prominent central tower.

The former Sherer’s Department Store, built in 1897 at the corner of Commercial Street, is another architectural gem with its striking yellow brick facade. Opposite this is the Midtown Mall, a two-story Art Deco style building constructed in 1941 for F.W. Woolworth, which was a popular shopping destination through the early 1970s.