Bridgewater Historic District (Bridgewater, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bridgewater Historic District
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Bridge Street
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Map of the Bridgewater Historic District
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| Location | Bridgewater, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 72.1 acres (29.2 ha) |
| Built | 1834 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000713 |
| Added to NRHP | June 28, 1996 |
The Bridgewater Historic District is a special area in Bridgewater, Pennsylvania. It's like a time capsule, showing buildings from the past. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 28, 1996. It includes many old buildings, some built as early as 1818! The most important ones were built before the 1860s, around the time of the Civil War.
Bridgewater was a very important place long ago because it was where the Ohio and Beaver Rivers meet. It was also the end point of the Bridgewater Canal. This made it a busy center for travel and trade. Because of this, many grand buildings were built here. Nearby towns like Beaver and Rochester weren't as busy back then, so they have fewer old buildings from this time.
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Exploring Bridgewater's Historic District
This historic district covers about 72 acres. It includes the Bridgewater-Rochester Bridge, a special lock from the old Bridgewater Canal, and 97 buildings. Some of these buildings are very important to the district's history.
Key Buildings and Features
Among the important buildings are three churches and the Keystone Bakery. The William B. Dunlap Mansion is also part of the district, and it's so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places all by itself! Because the bridge crosses the Beaver River into Rochester, a small part of the historic district is actually in Rochester.
The Oldest House
One of the oldest homes in Bridgewater is the house of Joseph Hemphill. He was a local landowner who helped plan much of Bridgewater in 1818. His house, built in 1818, is the oldest house still standing in Bridgewater today.
Bridge Street: A Busy Downtown
Back when Bridgewater was booming, Bridge Street was the heart of the town. It was a lively street with all sorts of businesses. You could find offices, shops, and even places where people worked with metal.
The Famous Keystone Bakery
The Keystone Bakery was one of the most important businesses on Bridge Street. It grew so big that it became the largest bakery in Western Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh and Allegheny. Because it needed more space, the bakery moved from Bridge Street to Market Street in 1884.
Historic Churches of Bridgewater
The district also features some beautiful old churches, each with its own story.
Bridgewater United Methodist Church
The Bridgewater United Methodist Church started in 1839 and built its first church building that same year. The church building you see today, on Market Street, was built in 1907. It has a Gothic Revival style, which means it looks a bit like old European cathedrals with pointed arches and tall windows.
First Presbyterian Church
The First Presbyterian Church is located at the western end of Bridge Street. This church was formed in 1845 after a split in the Presbyterian church in Rochester. The building was constructed in 1845 and has been updated several times over the years, but it's still used for worship today. It has a Romanesque Revival style, which often features round arches and sturdy, solid walls.
