Bitting Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Bitting Historic District
|
|
The Bitting Historic District in Wichita, Kansas.
|
|
 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Generally the 1100 and 1200 Blks of Bitting, Wichita, Kansas |
|---|---|
| Area | 8.1 acres (3.3 ha) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000776 |
| Added to NRHP | August 4, 2004 |
The Bitting Historic District is a special area in Wichita, Kansas. It's a place where many buildings from the past have been kept safe. This district was once a neighborhood where working-class families lived and shopped.
The buildings in the Bitting Historic District show different styles of architecture from various time periods. You can find two-story buildings that were once shops, showing how people lived and worked long ago. This district is located along a part of Bitting Avenue. There is also another important building called the Bitting Building in downtown Wichita. The Bitting Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This means it's recognized as an important part of American history.
Contents
What is the Bitting Historic District?
A historic district is like a special outdoor museum. It's an area with a group of buildings, structures, or objects that are important because of their history or unique design. The Bitting Historic District is a great example of this. It helps us understand what life was like in Wichita many years ago.
This district covers about 8.1 acres, which is like eight football fields. It includes buildings mainly along the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Bitting Avenue. These buildings tell a story about the people who lived and worked there.
Exploring the Architecture
The buildings in the Bitting Historic District show off several interesting architectural styles. These styles were popular during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Looking at them helps us see how building designs changed over time.
Victorian Style Homes
Many homes in the district show the "Late Victorian" style. The Victorian era was a long period, from about 1837 to 1901, when Queen Victoria ruled England. Buildings from this time often have lots of decorative details. They might have fancy trim, towers, or different textures on their walls. These homes were often built to look grand and impressive.
Revival Styles and New Ideas
You can also see buildings in the "Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals" style. "Revival" means that architects looked back at older styles and brought them back to life. For example, they might have used ideas from ancient Greek or Roman buildings, or even medieval castles. These styles often tried to make buildings look strong, classic, or even a bit romantic. They were a way to bring a sense of history and tradition into new buildings.
Why is it a Historic District?
The Bitting Historic District is important because it shows how a working-class neighborhood grew and changed over time. It gives us a look into the daily lives of people who lived in Wichita during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Protecting these areas helps us keep our history alive.
The National Register of Historic Places
Being on the National Register of Historic Places is a big deal! It's the official list of the nation's historic places that are worth saving. When a place is added to this list, it means it has special historical, architectural, or archaeological importance. For the Bitting Historic District, it means its buildings and the story they tell are valuable to the whole country. This listing also helps protect the district from being torn down or changed too much.
Life in the District
The Bitting Historic District wasn't just a place for homes. It also had a shopping area with two-story buildings. This tells us that people could live, work, and shop all within their own neighborhood. This was common in many cities before cars became so popular. People often walked to the stores they needed.
Shopping and Community
Imagine what it was like! On the first floor of these two-story buildings, there might have been a grocery store, a bakery, or a clothing shop. Families lived on the second floor, right above their businesses or close to their jobs. This created a strong sense of community. Neighbors knew each other well, and local shops were the heart of the area. These buildings are a reminder of how communities used to be organized.
Protecting Our Past
Historic districts like Bitting are important for many reasons. They help us learn about our past, understand how cities grew, and appreciate different styles of architecture. By preserving these places, we make sure that future generations can also learn from them. It's like having a living history book right in our city!
