Southbridge in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
La Croix-Mosher House
56 Everett Street, Southbridge
| | c. 1903 | |
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024
1. La Croix-Mosher House Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 42° 4.372′ N, 72° 2.013′ W. Marker is in Southbridge, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It is at the intersection of Everett Street and Park Street, on the right when traveling south on Everett Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 56 Everett St, Southbridge MA 01550, 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 the North Atlantic Region, 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: Southbridge Civil War Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Southbridge World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); George Washington Memorial (about 600 feet away); Southbridge Veterans Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Southbridge Honor Rolls (approx. 0.2 miles away); Servant Square (approx. Ό mile away); Southbridge 1898-1902 Veterans Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Gold Star Mother (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southbridge.
Regarding La Croix-Mosher House. Excerpts from the National Register
this page online
This large imposing Colonial Revival house is one of the few grand houses of its type from the turn of the century which are still intact in Southbridge today.
The LaCroix-Mosher House was built by Joseph LaCroix, who became the president of the Hyde Manufacturing Company in 1897. Founded by J.P. Hyde about 1875, the company made knives in competition with other Southbridge cutlery firms Harrington Cutlery and Stephen Richard. Like its competitors, the company prospered.
LaCroix had first worked with Stephen Richard and had even lived for more than a year with the Richard family. About 1885 he was persuaded to join Hyde's Company, bringing many of Richard's tempering secrets with him. By 1894 he had gained one-eighth interest in the company. Hyde sold most of his stock in the company in 1897 to LaCroix and Myron B. Clemence. After Hyde's death in 1897 the company continued to prosper.
In 1905 LaCroix's son, Arthur, age twenty-one was made an officer in the company, which employed about 38 and produced some 1800 knives a day. The son appears to have built a house next door at 44 Everett Street around 1910-1915. Some time during the 1920's Joseph LaCroix sold his house and both the father and son occupied the house next door. During the late 1920's and 1930's, 52 [sic] Everett Street was occupied by Ira Mosher who becamea vice president, general manager and treasurer of American Optical Company.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 20242. La Croix-Mosher House Marker
Also see . . . Southbridge Multiple Resource Area (PDF). National Register nomination for a group of more than 200 properties, including the LaCroix-Mosher House, that were collectively listed in 1989. (Prepared by Susan Ceccocci, Claire Dempsey and Betsy Friedberg; via National Archives) (Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
