National Register of Historic Places

Luther's Corner

Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts
Listed
February 16, 1990
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
90000054

About this property

Luther's Corner is a historic district encompassing the original economic center of Swansea, Massachusetts. The district is centered on the junction of Old Warren and Pearse Roads, the former being a major stage route between Fall River and Providence, Rhode Island, and was for many years associated with the locally prominent Luther Family. Luther's Corner was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Luther's Corner is located in western Swansea, just southwest of the intersection of United States Route 6 and Interstate 195. Old Warren Road, the east-west route through the junction, was originally a major through street, but has now been truncated by that highway interchange. The corner developed as a stage coach stop in the early 19th century, providing services to passing travelers, and developed as the major economic center of Swansea in the first half of the 19th century. Three of the four principal structures in the 1.5-acre (0.61 ha) district are associated with the locally prominent Luther family, including the Luther Store (c. 1815-18, now a local history museum), the James Luther Tavern (c. 1800), and the John Brown-Luther House (c. 1811). The fourth building is the Seth Eddy House and Store, built in 1871, and now strictly residential in use. All four buildings are 2-1/2 story wood frame structures. Luther's Store was one of the most successful mercantile businesses in Swansea in the mid-19th century, also housing the local post office and library. After it closed in 1870 (the building converted to just a residence), the Eddy Store replaced it, but the area was declining in importance due in part to increased use of the railroad, which ran further south. The town green, originally located at the center of the road junction and housing a bandstand, was removed in 1901 to make way for a streetcar line. National Register of Historic Places listings in Bristol County, Massachusetts

Location

Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts
41.74499, -71.22372

Categories

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTEXPLORATION/SETTLEMENTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Luther Store
Industrial
0 mi
Luther, William, House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Bend of the Lane
Industrial
0.3 mi
Church of Christ, Swansea
Industrial
0.4 mi
Buffington, Deacon John, House
Industrial
0.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Luther's Corner listed on the National Register?

Luther's Corner was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 16, 1990.

What type of historic resource is Luther's Corner?

Luther's Corner is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Luther's Corner?

The period of significance for Luther's Corner is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Luther's Corner?

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