Broad Street Historic District (Bethel, Maine) facts for kids
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Broad Street Historic District
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The Bethel Public Library
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| Location | Broad St. and the Common, Bethel, Maine |
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| Area | 37 acres (15 ha) |
| Built | 1813 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Late Victorian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000078 (original) 89002346 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 28, 1977 |
| Boundary increase | February 9, 1990 |
The Broad Street Historic District is a special area in the heart of Bethel, Maine. It includes many old buildings and the town common. Broad Street itself has been around since the early 1800s. The town common was a gift from one of Bethel's very first settlers.
This historic district was first added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It covered the common and a part of Broad Street. Later, in 1990, the district grew to include more historic homes and parts of the Gould Academy campus along Church Street.
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Exploring Bethel's Past
Bethel Hill was a small place in the early 1800s. In 1814, it had only four houses. One of these, the Dr. Moses Mason House, is still standing today. It is now a museum run by the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society.
Broad Street became an official town road in 1807. The town common, a green space on its northwest side, was likely given by Eleazer Twitchell. He was one of the first people to live in the area.
Homes Around the Common
Most of the buildings around the common were built in the mid-1800s. They show off styles like Greek Revival and Italianate architecture.
- Rowe's Store and Ideal Hall: This building was built around 1880. It has an Italianate style with a fancy front porch.
- Bethel Inn: This building was constructed in 1912. It features the Colonial Revival style.
- Bethel Library: This library building dates back to 1865. It is a good example of Greek Revival architecture.
The Dr. Moses Mason House is now owned by the Bethel Historical Society.
Broad Street's Southern Charm
South of the common, Broad Street has many old houses. Most of these were built around the same time as the buildings near the common. A few others were added between 1880 and 1906.
Many of these homes are in the Greek Revival style. You can also find Italianate houses. Some unique styles include Queen Anne, Stick, and Second Empire.
- Gehring Clinic: This large, two-and-a-half-story house was built in 1896. It is a Queen Anne style building. It marks the southern end of the historic district.
Church Street's Historic Buildings
North of the common, Broad Street changes its name to Church Street. This area is also lined with 19th-century houses. They stretch all the way to the campus of the Gould Academy.
While some houses here are Greek Revival, many show later styles. These include Italianate and Gothic Revival.
- Gould Academy Buildings: Two main buildings at the academy are Gehring Hall and Hanscom Hall. They are excellent examples of Colonial Revival brick buildings. They were built in the 1930s.
