Neighborhood Notables

The First Perfect Game in Major League Baseball

The first perfect game in major league baseball history was played on June 12, 1880 against the Cleveland Blues at the old Worcester Agricultural Fairgrounds on Sever Street. John Lee Richmond, a left-handed pitcher for the National League team called "The Worcesters" threw the perfect game.

The Worcesters began as a minor league team in 1879, and joined the National League in 1880, although Worcester had to cheat a little to meet the League's 75,000 population requirement. The team president was Charles Pratt, the Mayor of Worcester and the field leader was the "prince of baseball managers", Frank Bancroft. Worcester finished 5th in its debut campaign, led by pitcher John Lee Raymond and shortstop Arthur Irwin. But at the end of the season the team suffered the defection of manager Bancroft, who took four good players with him to Detroit.

In 1881 they drew their biggest crowd ever -- 3,652 -- for a match against Detroit. The much-beloved Bennett was given a gold watch by the Worcester fans who missed him. Worcester won that game but soon fell into last place, and stayed there. The following season was even worse, and for one game the team drew a total of 18 fans. The handwriting was on the wall. After an 18-66 season, National League officials announced Worcester's "resignation" from the league. The vacant Worcester franchise spot was picked up by sporting goods mogul Al Reach, who started the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Worcester Agricultural Fairgrounds was a 20-acre plot bordered by Highland, Sever, Cedar, and Agricultural Street. It was also known as Driving Park because it included a track for horse trotting. Today, this plot is home to many homes and businesses, as well as to the Worcester campus Becker College.

A Century of Tennis

Located on Sever Street, The Worcester Tennis Club is the oldest tennis club in the area, established in 1907. It has seven clay courts, along with a historic Clubhouse. Some of the most famous tennis player who ever lived have played on the Club's courts, including Bill Tilden, Don Budge,Fred Perry,Bill Talbert and our own Tennis Hall of Fame inductees: Bill Power, Nick Sharry and Fran Jennings.

Burns Folly

Located at 65 Cedar Street, Maple Hall, built in 1894, was referred to in those days as Burns Folly. William A. Burns, for whom the house was built, spared no expense. This magnificent building has a distinctive round tower, modeled after a French chateau, and contains elaborately finished maple wood. A prominent feature of this late Victorian house is the turret at the right front of the building. The interior is noteworthy for the intricate solid maple woodwork which graces the living areas and gives the house its name

The Kidnapping Of Betty Davis

This was a film made in Worcester in the Elm Park area about 1950. Ads were put in newspaper asking, do you want your child in the movies? For a small fee your child could have a one speaking line in the movie. Your ability to pay more, gave your child more lines. It had a one-day showing at the Capitol theatre with the house full of so-called actors and families.

That's Odd

Tony Randall, the obsessive neat freak from the 70's hit sitcom "The Odd Couple" (with Jack Klugman), and star of Broadway stage often came Worcester, living at a house at 48 William Street.

Intersecting Jazz

Greany Square, located at Fruit and Sever Streets (named for Paul V. Greany, who drowned in WWII in Honshu, Japan) was once a favorite gathering spot for local jazz musicians to hangout. Often times you would see a dozen or so sharing stories and laughing.

On the Move

Located at 53 West Street, Davis Hall is on the National Register. Like many houses in the neighborhood, this house was built by Levi Lincoln for speculation. Constructed in 1848, the house once stood on the site of the Worcester Club. In 1870 Isaac Davis moved it to its present location, a daunting feat at that time. The house has had many renovations and additions. One owner even added a large billiard room to the back end of the house.