WORCESTER — Preservation Worcester has published its annual list of Most Endangered Structures which this year ranges from the city's 27 remaining gas streetlamps to a two-story (2½-decker) multifamily home on Vernon Street built in 1916.

"The list alerts the public to threats to some of our city’s most historic treasures and garners citywide attention to the condition of the structures and their importance to the landscape of the city," Preservation Worcester said.

The criteria for the designation include "pre-1975 structures located in Worcester that are significant for their historic, architectural and/or cultural contributions to the city."

Worcester was once a city of gas streetlamps. At its peak in the 1920s, the city boasted 2,000 of them. Now, only 27 remain, many of which are more than 125 years old.

Preservation Worcester's Most Endangered Structures Committee tracks city properties and solicits nominations from the community at large, reviews nominations and makes a recommendation to the Preservation Worcester board of directors for approval. "Often, the list serves as a catalyst for restoration and preservation," Preservation Worcester said.

Martin and Mary Tunney House, 139 Vernon St., was built in 1916 as a two story (2½ decker) multi-family home. Preservation Worcester said the building has been vacant for years and is currently facing serious deferred maintenance.

2025 Most Endangered Structures List

Martin and Mary Tunney House, 139 Vernon St.: Built in 1916 as a two-story (2½-decker) multi-family home, it has a wood frame, wood-shingle siding, wood clapboards, a front gable roof, a detailed entrance porch that wraps around the side, side double-gabled dormers and a bracketed cornice. Martin Tunney was born in Worcester in 1871 to Irish immigrant parents and Mary Tunney (née Loftus) emigrated from Ireland in 1887 when she was about 13 years old. They married in 1895 and lived at 139 Vernon St. with their many children from 1916 to 1950. Martin was a saloonkeeper/bartender at 594 Millbury St. for about two decades. Preservation Worcester said the building has been vacant for years and is facing serious deferred maintenance. This is the building's first year on the list.

Thomas Anderson House, 206 May St.: Built in 1892, 206 May St. is, "a handsome and mostly unmodified example of late 19th-century shingle-style residential architecture. This single-family home retains much of its original intricately shingled siding around the entire second story. Its front-facing gable roof with multilevel eaves is a design that appears in less than 20% of all shingle-style examples," Preservation Worcester said. The home has been vacant for many years.

Frank Quinn House, 900 Main St.: This house was designed by the well-known Worcester architect Amos P. Cutting and built by Urgel Jaques in 1887. J. Frank Quinn, son of Irish immigrants, was the longtime proprietor of J. Frank’s Mens Furnishing stores with locations on Main, Front and Green streets. "The property is suffering from long-deferred maintenance with signs of serious problems throughout its structure. This property is also in financial trouble with taxes owed to the City of Worcester," Preservation Worcester said.

Carriage houses, garages and other ancillary structures: The construction of carriage houses dates to the early and mid-1800s at a time when roads became more established and horse-drawn carriages were widely used. Preservation Worcester said, "Today, many of these historically and architecturally significant carriage houses and early garages have been torn down or are in a state of serious neglect. In addition to their historical significance, many of these structures have potential to be converted for use as additional living or other use space."

Cow Tavern was built circa 1780 and was operated as a tavern until approximately 1830. The house itself is in a state of chronic and extreme neglect with broken windows, holes in the clapboard siding, and critical foundation issues.

Cow Tavern, 272 Salisbury St.: Cow Tavern was built circa 1780 and was operated as a tavern until approximately 1830. The house itself is in a state of chronic and extreme neglect with broken windows, holes in the clapboard siding and critical foundation issues. "Without urgent intervention, this property may need to be demolished," Preservation Worcester said.

Gas streetlamps: Worcester was once a city of gas streetlamps. At its peak in the 1920s, the city boasted 2,000 of them. Now, only 27 remain, many of which are more than 125 years old. "Their presence on our streets is history hidden in plain sight," Preservation Worcester said.

The Norton Company Administration Building, One New Bond Street: The 1890 building is significant for its architecture as well for the important role it played in the life of one of Worcester’s most significant companies, Norton Company.

J. Marcus Rice Block, 29-35 Pleasant St.: The Lower Pleasant Street District — located between Main and Chestnut streets — comprises the only surviving row of Victorian-era commercial buildings in downtown Worcester. "The Pearl Street side features rusted, broken or missing fire escapes and compromised railings — posing significant life-safety hazards. Numerous windows and doors are boarded or lead to unsafe, inaccessible areas."

The Lower Pleasant Street District — located between Main and Chestnut streets — comprises the only surviving row of Victorian-era commercial buildings in downtown Worcester. Numerous windows and doors are boarded or lead to unsafe, inaccessible areas.

Victorian-style porches: Victorian-style porches are a defining architectural feature of many historic homes in Worcester, reflecting the city’s prosperity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Preserving these porches maintains the historical integrity of Worcester’s neighborhoods, offering a tangible link to the city’s cultural and architectural heritage and illustrating the broader trends of American domestic architecture during its period of greatest growth and development," Preservation Worcester said.

Preservation Worcester was founded in 1969 and works towards protecting and revitalizing the sites, structures and neighborhoods of Worcester that are significant to its diverse culture, history and architecture.