Belvidere North State Street Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Belvidere North State Street Historic District
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| Location | State Street between Hurlbut Street & Kishwaukee River, Belvidere, Illinois |
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| Area | 7.5 acres (3.0 ha) |
| Built | 1865 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Commercial Style, Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 12000324 |
| Added to NRHP | June 6, 2012 |
The Belvidere North State Street Historic District is a special area in Belvidere, Illinois. It's on the north side of the Kishwaukee River. This district is full of old shops and businesses built between 1865 and 1962. It looks much like it did in the 1930s, keeping its historic feel.
Contents
History of Belvidere's North State Street
How Belvidere Started
The town of Belvidere began in 1834. The first business opened in 1836. It was called the Belvidere House, a hotel for travelers. This hotel was at the corner of State Street and Lincoln Avenue.
A Busy Stagecoach Stop
Belvidere was a popular stop for stagecoaches. These coaches traveled between big cities like Chicago and Galena. The Belvidere House hotel was very important for these travelers.
The First National Bank
In 1865, the First National Bank was built. It is now the oldest business building in Belvidere. It stands at the same busy intersection.
Becoming the City's Center
In 1843, Boone County became its own county. The Boone County Courthouse was built north of the river. This made the North State Street area the main business center of the city. Many buildings were built here. These included the town's biggest theater and many businesses for cars.
A Recognized Historic Place
On June 6, 2012, the North and South State Street Historic Districts became officially recognized. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historic places in the United States. These two districts were originally planned as one large district. But some buildings were torn down, so they became two separate historic areas.
Architecture Styles in the District
Older Buildings and Italianate Style
About half of the buildings in this district were built before 1900. Many of these older buildings show the Italianate style. This style often features tall windows, wide eaves, and decorative brackets. The National House and the First National Bank are great examples of early Italianate design here.
Later Italianate and Chicago School
Other buildings, like the Longcor Block and the Ransom Building, show later Italianate styles. They often have fancy metal cornices (decorative tops). Buildings on East Lincoln Avenue are good examples of the Chicago School style. Many of these buildings were for car services. The Apollo Theater is the best example of the Chicago School style in the district.
Modern Designs
You can also find some modern building designs in the district. These are mostly on West Lincoln Avenue. While they are modern, they don't include the very specific International Style of architecture.
District Boundaries and Features
Where the District Is
The Belvidere North State Street Historic District starts at the north bank of the Kishwaukee River. It goes two blocks north to East Hurlbut Street. It also includes one block of Lincoln Avenue on both sides of North State Street.
What Makes It Historic
There are 31 buildings and one special object that add to the district's history. These are called "contributing" elements. Nine newer buildings are considered "intrusions" because they don't fit the historic look. The special historic object is a metal plaque from around 1950. It marks where the American House hotel, built in 1842, once stood.
