Bolton Center Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bolton Center Historic District
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First Parish of Bolton
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St., Bolton, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 73 acres (30 ha) |
| Built | 1738 |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001296 |
| Added to NRHP | November 17, 1997 |
The Bolton Center Historic District is a special part of the town of Bolton, Massachusetts. It's like a living museum! This area shows how the town grew over more than 200 years. You can see many old homes and important public buildings here. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 because of its history.
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Exploring Bolton's Historic Center
Imagine stepping back in time! The Bolton Center Historic District is mostly along Main Street (Massachusetts Route 117). This street was once a very busy road. It was a major stop for stagecoaches, which were like old-time buses. Travelers and local people used to stop here for business and rest.
How Bolton Center Grew
Bolton's first meetinghouse, built around 1740, was not in this exact spot. But by the early 1800s, the town's main focus moved to what is now Route 117. By 1830, the center looked much like it does today. Many of the buildings you see now were built then. Some replaced older ones, while others filled in empty spaces.
Historic Buildings in Bolton Center
The district has many different kinds of houses from the 1700s and later. One of the oldest is the house of the town's first minister, built around 1741. You can find it at 752 Main Street.
Important Public Buildings
The Bolton Center also has several important public buildings:
- The Town House was built in 1853. This is where town meetings and government business happened.
- There are four old school buildings in the district. One is an 1825 one-room schoolhouse. Imagine all the grades learning together in one room!
- The Federated Church of Bolton was built in 1928. It's designed in a style called Colonial Revival.
- The library is a beautiful building from 1903. It was a gift from the Whitney family. It's built in the Tudor Revival style, which looks a bit like old English houses.
- The Elementary School from 1923 is another great example of Colonial Revival architecture.
These buildings help us understand what life was like in Bolton many years ago. They show how the town grew and changed over time.
