Worcester, MA

stepper77 · #1 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 4:51 AM**

At 175,898, Worcester is Massachusetts' second largest city and located about 43 miles west of Boston. It was actually a little grittier than I expected, but, like most cities I've seen in Mass, a lot of old buildings kept in relatively good shape. Enjoy.

Approaching downtown...

One more stop to go...
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Quincy - Provincetown - Holyoke - Chicopee - Springfield - Boston

Thundertubs · #2 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 5:05 AM**

Nice! I'm all about this MA series you've been doing.

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That sea turtle doesn't look too pleased with what's going on.

jodelli · #3 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 5:06 AM**

Hey, nice thread.
Funny coincidence, a Waco TX thread was just posted and that city also got clobbered by a tornado in 1953. I guess Flint, MI will be posting next.

Cirrus · #4 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 3:24 PM**

WOOSTAH!

I'm a fan of these medium-sized New England cities. I'm especially a fan of Worcester's gorgeous train station.

10101000 · #5 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 3:52 PM**

Nice set there, thanks! I love the statues.

Jimby · #6 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 5:16 PM**

Thanks for the interesting tour. I spent a many weekends in the area when I was a kid, but nothing looked familiar!

blade_bltz · #7 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 10:13 PM**

Looks like a fine place. The Worcester area is supposedly experiencing some fast growth (by MA standards...haha) - hope a Woo-town renaissance is on the way!

kcexpress69 · #8 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 10:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by blade_bltz

Looks like a fine place. The Worcester area is supposedly experiencing some fast growth (by MA standards...haha) - hope a Woo-town renaissance is on the way!

Where was the grit??

Worcester seems to be doing fine. I know at one time it had over 200,000 people. Now I hear it's headed back towards that mark!!

Fine tour btw!! Excellent shots!!

Ex-Ithacan · #9 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 11:30 PM**

I liked the place.Seemed dense and did have some great old buildings. Glad you included a pic of the old Train Station, it's special. Thanks for the tour stepper.

stepper77 · #10 Posted: **Jul 8, 2008, 11:55 PM**

Yes, that train station is astonishing!! I had no knowledge of it and about stopped my car in the street when I saw it. I think I may even rushed walking through downtown just to get over to it (since it was threatening rain). But, Worcester was definitely cool.

ColDayMan · #11 Posted: **Jul 9, 2008, 1:48 AM**

thanks!

James Bond Agent 007 · #12 Posted: **Jul 9, 2008, 4:19 AM**

Nice.

denveraztec · #13 Posted: **Jul 11, 2008, 4:52 PM**

Some real gems in Worcester! Thanks for the post!

Wheelingman04 · #14 Posted: **Jul 17, 2008, 10:41 PM**

Thanks for the great post. I think that is the most comprehensive tour of Worcester I have ever seen.

JJ83 · #15 Posted: **May 5, 2011, 10:30 PM**

This is a fine representation of Worcester, Massachusetts. Its architecture isn't as grand as Boston's or Springfield's, but there are still many gems in Worcester, and you captured them well.

Its glass, postmodern skyscraper is particularly nice-looking -- and oh, that train station!

ctman987 · #16 Posted: **May 7, 2011, 3:40 AM**

I am a fan of New England cities even though they can be gritty - I find the grit attractive and in some cases it adds character. Besides liking Worcester I am Hartford's #1 fan

stepper77 · #17 Posted: **May 7, 2011, 5:53 PM**

Thanks for the comments. Worcester's train station is more than impressive but it makes it more of a shame that the building is in such a pedestrian unfriendly location.

sterlippo1 · #18 Posted: **May 7, 2011, 9:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepper77

Thanks for the comments. Worcester's train station is more than impressive but it makes it more of a shame that the building is in such a pedestrian unfriendly location.

that is the best description i've heard and so true. it's even pedestrian unfriendly inside! and if you were looking to grab a bite to eat in a small restaurant you'll have to have a candy bar from a vending machine. i had gone by Union Station many times until i finally decided to check it out and while beautifully restored it is really nondescript inside and with not much to offer

soleri · #19 Posted: **May 8, 2011, 7:20 PM**

Worcester has some extraordinary gems, which exist alongside some forlorn modernist crap. That building with the faded Home Federal Savings signage is particularly poignant. Many of us are probably impressed by a 20 story box clad in cheap materials and devoid of any redeeming ornamentation or architectural flair. But the damage here is not to our aesthetic sensibilities. It's also to the life of the city at street level. You look at this city or virtually any other medium-sized city in America and see great bones and horrifying post-war excrescences like the sterile plaze/high-rise combo, the parking garage, and facades so inert a fungus would die of boredom. The sad news is that this ugliness is a long-term deficit that never gets paid off.