Brownsville Commercial Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brownsville Commercial Historic District
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Brownsville Commercial Historic District, May 2008
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 105-128 Brownsville Ave. and 1-145 Market, 101-200 High, 2-6 Water, 100 Charles, 1 Seneca and 108 Bank Sts., Brownsville, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 19 acres (7.7 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Moderne, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000716 |
| Added to NRHP | August 2, 1993 |
The Brownsville Commercial Historic District is a special area in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. It's like a time capsule showing how the town's main business area looked long ago. This district is next to another historic area called the Brownsville Northside Historic District.
This historic district covers about 19 acres. It includes 55 important buildings and two structures that help tell its story. Most of these buildings are tall brick structures, three or four stories high. They were built between 1900 and 1930. A few buildings are even older, from the 1800s.
The oldest building here is the Flatiron Building, which was built around 1835. Other cool old buildings include the International Order of Odd Fellows Building (1876) and the Monongahela National Bank (1902). You can also see the Second National Bank (1916), the Snowdon Building (1907), and the old Union Station (1928).
The two important structures are the Dunlap's Creek Bridge and a stone railroad tunnel from 1903. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. This means it's officially recognized as an important part of American history.
Contents
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is a special area that has many old buildings or places. These places are important because they show us how people lived or worked in the past. They often have a unique look or tell a story about history.
The buildings in a historic district are often protected. This helps keep them looking like they did a long time ago. It's a way to save history for future generations.
Exploring Brownsville's Historic Buildings
The Brownsville Commercial Historic District is full of interesting old buildings. Many of them were built for businesses. They show different styles of architecture from the past.
Some buildings have a Classical Revival style. This means they look like ancient Greek or Roman temples. Others are Moderne, which was a newer, sleeker style from the early 1900s. You can also see Italianate buildings, which often have decorative eaves and tall windows.
Famous Landmarks to See
The Flatiron Building is one of the oldest and most unique buildings. It was built around 1835. Its shape is like an iron, narrow at one end.
The Monongahela National Bank (1902) and the Second National Bank (1916) are examples of grand old banks. They show how important banking was in the town.
The Union Station (1928) was once a busy train station. It played a big role in travel and trade. The Borough Building (1940) is also part of the district. It was used for local government.
Why is it Important?
The Brownsville Commercial Historic District is important for many reasons. It helps us understand the history of Brownsville. It shows how the town grew as a center for business and trade.
By preserving these buildings, we can learn about the past. We can see the different styles of architecture that were popular. It helps us appreciate the hard work of people who built these structures.
Being on the National Register of Historic Places means the district is recognized nationwide. It highlights its value as a piece of American heritage. It encourages people to visit and learn about this special place.
