Worcester (pronounced Wooster) is the shire town of Worcester County. It is centrally situated in a populous and wealthy agricultural and manufacturing district. It contains four churches (built of wood), a courthouse (built of brick), jail (built of stone), house of correction (built of brick), building of the American Antiquarian Society (built of brick), etc. These have not merely a form and a name but they discover wealth and taste in the community. The village is built principally on Worcester [Main] Street, known through the county as Worcester Street, and contains 350 houses (19 [out of] 20 wood). Many of the situations are splendid and in the best taste. Though the site of the town is low, it ranks among the pleasantest villages in the United States. The houses are mostly white and shaded with green blinds. The small yards before the doors shine the deep green sward through the ornamental fences. The stately elm often overspreads the street. The lofty church spire points into the heavens. A small stream [Mill Brook] crosses the street and runs down the east side of it. The surface of the ground is a little irregular but level on the whole. The general aspect of the town is rural and remarkably neat.