Boswell Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Boswell Historic District
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Sts. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, 1992
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Hower Ave., Atkinson Way, Quemahoning Creek, Main St. and Juniata St., Boswell, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| Built | 1901 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Late Victorian |
| MPS | Bituminous Coal and Coke Resources of Pennsylvania MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000519 |
| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1994 |
The Boswell Historic District is a special area in Boswell, Pennsylvania. It's located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. This district is important because it shows how a town grew around a coal mine.
It includes 90 buildings and one site that tell a story. These places were built starting in 1901. They show what life was like when coal mining was a big deal.
Contents
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is like a special neighborhood. It has buildings and places that are old and important. These areas are saved because they teach us about the past. They often show how people lived, worked, or what a town looked like long ago.
Welcome to Boswell's Historic District!
The Boswell Historic District covers about 80 acres. It's a snapshot of a coal mining town. The area was developed by the Merchant's Mining Company. They started building the town in 1901.
A Town Built by Coal
The Merchant's Mining Company was from Baltimore, Maryland. They needed a place for their workers to live. So, they built homes, offices, and stores. The town grew quickly around the coal mine. You can still see parts of the old mine here.
Buildings with a Story
The district has many types of buildings. Some were for work, like offices. Others were homes for miners and their families. There are also shops, social clubs, and churches. Each building helps us understand the town's history.
The First National Bank
One important building is the First National Bank of Boswell. It was built in 1919. Banks were very important in growing towns. They helped people save money and businesses get started.
The Merchant's Coal Company Office
The Merchant's Coal Company office was built in 1901. This was the main office for the mining company. It was where all the important decisions were made. It shows the power of the coal industry.
Special Churches
The district also has two beautiful churches. St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church was built in 1918. Sts. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church was also built in 1918. These churches were important community centers. They served the different groups of people who came to Boswell to work in the mines.
Why is it "Historic"?
The Boswell Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This is a list of places across the country. Being on this list means a place is very important. It helps protect these sites for future generations. It means we can learn from them for many years to come.
