Central Square Historic District (Bristol, New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Central Square Historic District
|
|
October 2012
|
|
 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 2-27 Central Square, 1 Summer St., 1-3 N. Main St., and 2 S. Main St., Bristol, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Area | 3.7 acres (1.5 ha) |
| Built | 1861 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001139 |
| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1983 |
The Central Square Historic District in Bristol, New Hampshire, is a special area in the town's center. It's where many old and important buildings are located. This district is a four-sided space where six roads meet. It's found just north of the Newfound River and west of the Pemigewasset River.
The district includes all the buildings around the square. It also has one modern building just south of the Newfound River. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's officially recognized as important to history.
Contents
How Bristol's Center Began
Bristol's town center started to form around the 1760s. This was when the first settlers arrived in the area. A road was built along the Pemigewasset River. It crossed the Newfound River near where South Main Street is today.
A mill was also built a little way to the east. By the 1790s, a small town center had grown. It included two tavern buildings that are still standing today!
Roads That Shaped the Square
A new road to Newfound Lake was built in 1805. This road is now called North Main Street. It made the area even more important for travel. Soon after, what is now Pleasant Street was built in 1808.
It's not clear exactly how the square itself was planned. There are no old town papers that talk about it.
Growth and Changes in the 1800s
Bristol's center grew a lot in the 1800s. This was thanks to new factories and the arrival of the railroad. Most of the town's government buildings were located away from the square. This allowed the square to become a busy place for shops and businesses.
Early Buildings and Big Fires
Some of the oldest wooden business buildings still stand today. These include the Bean-Tukey Block from 1841 and the Cass Block from 1848.
The west side of the square had big fires in 1861 and 1871. These fires destroyed many buildings. After the fires, new brick buildings were constructed. These new buildings were built in the Victorian style. Today, most of the square looks much like it did in the late 1800s.
