Sturbridge in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Commerce on the Common

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 20, 2018

1. Commerce on the Common Marker

Inscription. The Publick House, founded by civic leader Ebenezer Crafts in 1771, and the adjacent retail building are survivors of the time when the Common was the commercial center of Sturbridge. The inn served as a stage stop on the Worcester-Stafford Turnpike, hosted Lafayette on his triumphal 1824 tour, and has entertained visitors ever since. Carriage-makers, tailors, painters, and general retailers occupied the adjacent structure (once three buildings, now joined as one). Other private homes around the Common once had similar uses, but the power of the Quinebaug River and the demands of 19th-century technology moved the town's economic center west to its village of Fiskdale.

Erected by the Town of Sturbridge.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Lafayette’s Farewell Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1771.

Location. 42° 6.435′ N, 72° 4.749′ W. Marker is in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Massachusetts

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Route 131) and Publick House Road, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 277 Main Street, Sturbridge MA 01566, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Quiet Corner

and in Greater Worcester.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Sturbridge Common (within shouting distance of this marker); "Witness Tree" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Burial Ground (about 400 feet away); Revolutionary War Patriots (about 400 feet away); Civil War Soldier's Monument (about 500 feet away); The Center School (about 500 feet away); War Memorial (about 500 feet away); Lt. Charles J. Collins USAAC (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sturbridge.

Also see . . . An historical sketch of Sturbridge, Mass., from its settlement to the present time (Clark, 1838).

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 20, 2018

2. Commerce on the Common Marker

The Publick House is in the background

(Submitted on June 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

The Publick House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 20, 2018

3. The Publick House

The Publick House Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 20, 2018

4. The Publick House Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 15, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.