Barry Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Barry Historic District
|
|
Western side of the public square
|
|
 Location in Illinois
|
|
| Location | U.S. 36, Barry, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Area | 103 acres (42 ha) |
| Built | Various |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000862 |
| Added to NRHP | March 13, 1979 |
The Barry Historic District is a special area in Barry, Illinois. It includes the main shopping streets and some of the oldest neighborhoods. This district helps protect the history and unique buildings of Barry, Illinois. It shows how the town grew and changed over many years.
Contents
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is like a special zone where old buildings and places are kept safe. These areas are important because they tell us about the past. They show how people lived, worked, and built things a long time ago. The Barry Historic District is one of these important places.
The Story of Barry, Illinois
Barry was started in the 1830s. It began as a farming town. Most of the town grew quite a lot before the American Civil War (which happened from 1861 to 1865). This means many of its first buildings are very old.
A Big Fire and New Buildings
In 1894, a large fire destroyed most of the shops in Barry's downtown area. But the people of Barry didn't give up! They rebuilt quickly. The buildings you see there today were mostly built right after that fire. They are great examples of how shops looked in the late 1800s. Some even have cool metal fronts.
Homes with History
The historic district also includes homes. One special area is called "Diamond Hill." It's on Mortimer Street, east of Brown Street. You can find many different styles of old houses here.
Popular House Styles
Some of the house styles you might see include:
- Italianate: These homes often have tall, narrow windows and decorative brackets under the roof.
- Queen Anne: These houses are usually colorful with towers, turrets, and fancy porches.
- Carpenter Gothic: These homes look a bit like old churches, with pointed arches and decorative wooden trim.
- Vernacular: This means homes built in a simple, local style without following strict architectural rules.
These styles show how people built homes in the late 1800s.
National Recognition
The Barry Historic District is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened on March 13, 1979.
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is an official list in the United States. It includes buildings, sites, and districts that are important to American history. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its special historical or architectural value. It helps protect these places for future generations.
