Canaan Street Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Canaan Street Historic District
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Canaan St., Canaan, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 24 acres (9.7 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000163 |
| Added to NRHP | May 7, 1973 |
The Canaan Street Historic District is a special area in Canaan, New Hampshire, that shows what the town looked like a long time ago. It's like a long line of old buildings along Canaan Street, stretching from Prospect Hill Road in the north to Moss Flower Lane in the south. This area was once a busy stop for stagecoaches, and later became a popular vacation spot in the late 1800s. Because it's so important, this historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It has about 60 important old buildings.
Contents
A Look Back: Canaan Street's History
Canaan became a town way back in 1761. But the main road, now called Canaan Street, wasn't built until 1788. Since it was on a big route for stagecoaches traveling north and south, Canaan Street became a busy trading spot in the early 1800s.
Important Buildings Emerge
The old town hall was built in the 1790s as a church. Other important buildings soon followed. These included the Old North Church, built in 1828, and the Canaan Union Academy from 1839. The Academy later became the town's library and museum. Many houses in the area were once taverns, serving travelers on the stagecoach route.
From Trading Hub to Resort Town
Canaan Street became less important for trade when the railroad was built elsewhere. However, it soon found a new purpose! In the second half of the 1800s, it grew into a popular summer resort. It even became a rival to other famous resorts like Bethlehem, New Hampshire.
Exploring the Canaan Street District
The Canaan Street Historic District follows Canaan Street, which runs just west of Canaan Street Lake. The district starts at Prospect Hill Road in the north, where you can find the Old North Church.
Notable Architecture
The Old North Church was built in 1828. It is a great example of early Gothic Revival architecture. Near the middle of the district, at Apple Blossom Road, you'll find a group of important public buildings. This includes the old town hall and the former Academy building, which is now the Canaan Historical Museum.
Most of the buildings in the district are homes. They show off styles like Federal or Greek Revival. These styles were popular during the village's early years of growth.
