Biddeford Main Street Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Biddeford Main Street Historic District
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Main Street, Biddeford from a 1908 postcard.
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 29 to 316 Main St., and portions of Elm, Jefferson, Adams, Washington, Franklin, Alfred and Water Sts. Biddeford, Maine |
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| Architect | John Calvin Stevens et al. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 09001146 |
| Added to NRHP | December 24, 2009 |
The Biddeford Main Street Historic District is a special area in downtown Biddeford, Maine. It's like a time capsule showing how the city grew. This district includes the main streets where people shopped and did business. It also has important city buildings.
This area is famous for its many old buildings. Most of them were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They are made of brick and stone. In 2009, this district was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical place in the United States.
Exploring Biddeford's Historic Center
Biddeford is a city located on the southern coast of Maine. It sits on the south side of the Saco River. Right across the river is the city of Saco. Both cities grew up around this river because it was perfect for building textile mills. Textile mills are factories that make cloth.
The main business area of Biddeford is just a short distance from the river. The textile mills were built between Main Street and the river. This area started to grow a lot in the 1840s. Main Street changed over the next 100 years. Its growth mirrored the success and challenges of the mill industry.
Buildings and Their Stories
The buildings in the Biddeford Main Street Historic District were built for the mill workers and their families. They also served the businesses that supported the mills. Many early buildings had shops on the ground floor. People lived in apartments on the floors above.
The oldest building still standing in the district is the Thatcher Hotel. It was built in 1846. It was a hotel and is a three-story brick building. Most buildings in the district are two to four stories tall. They show many different building styles from the past.
Architectural Highlights
Some buildings in the district are very unique. The Paquin Building, built in 1924, has an Egyptian Revival style. You can find it at 5 Washington Street. Another interesting spot is the Palace Diner. It was built in 1926 and is located at 15 Franklin Street.
The main public building in the district is City Hall. It's a place for city government and also has a theater. A famous architect named John Calvin Stevens designed this building. It was finished in 1896. City Hall is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other important buildings listed include the Dudley Block on Water Street. The old post office building at 35 Washington Street is also on the list.
