Beallsville Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Beallsville Historic District
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Beallsville, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Built | 1818 |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Greek Revival, Federal |
| MPS | National Road in Pennsylvania MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001205 |
| Added to NRHP | October 24, 1996 |
The Beallsville Historic District is a special area in Beallsville, Pennsylvania. It covers about 40 acres, which is like 30 football fields! This district is recognized as a historic district because it has many old buildings and places that tell a story about the past. The Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation helps protect these important sites.
Contents
Exploring Beallsville's Historic Past
This historic district shows what a "pike town" looked like a long time ago. A pike town was a settlement built along a major road, like the National Road. The National Road was one of the first big highways in the United States. It helped people travel and move goods across the country.
Why is Beallsville Historic?
The Beallsville Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This is a list of places across the country that are important to American history. When it was listed, the district had 91 buildings that helped tell its story. It also included the Beallsville Cemetery and an old iron milestone marker from the National Road, dating back to around 1835. These are called "contributing" elements because they add to the district's historical value. There were also 29 buildings that were not considered "contributing" because they were built later or changed too much.
Old Buildings and Their Styles
The buildings in the western part of the district are very old. Many of them were built between 1818 and 1852, during the time of the National Road. They often show influences from Greek Revival or Federal styles. These styles were popular in the early 1800s.
Different Architectural Looks
As you move to the eastern part of the district, you'll see houses from later in the 19th century. These homes often feature Italianate and Queen Anne styles. Italianate buildings often have tall, narrow windows and decorative brackets under the roof. Queen Anne homes are known for their towers, turrets, and varied textures.
Important Places to See
Several buildings and sites in the Beallsville Historic District are especially notable:
- The building at 984 Maiden Street is the oldest in the district. It's a log building from 1788 and was once the home of Zephaniah Beall, who founded the town.
- The Greenfield Stand, also known as Greenfield Tavern, is located at 2848 Maiden Street. It was built in 1821 and was likely a place where travelers on the National Road could stop and rest.
- The John Hough House at 2852 Main Street was home to a tollkeeper. Tollkeepers collected money from travelers to help pay for the road's upkeep.
- The Beallsville Methodist Church, built in 1874, is another important landmark in the district.
