Chickies Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chickies Historic District
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House in Chickies Historic District, February 2012
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by the Susquehanna R, Chickies Creek, Bank St. and Long Lane., East Donegal Township, West Hempfield Township, and Marietta, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 589 acres (238 ha) |
| Architectural style | Early Republic, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 05001488 |
| Added to NRHP | December 28, 2005 |
The Chickies Historic District is a special area in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It is like a big outdoor museum that protects important old buildings and places. This district helps us learn about the past.
It covers parts of East Donegal Township, West Hempfield Township, and Marietta, Pennsylvania. The district was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This means it is recognized as a very important historical site in the United States.
Contents
What Makes Chickies Historic District Special?
The Chickies Historic District is made up of three main parts. Each part tells a different story about the area's history. Together, they show how people lived and worked long ago.
The Susquehanna River Floodplain
One part of the district is along the Susquehanna River. This area was once home to early iron furnaces. These furnaces were like big ovens used to melt iron ore. This process made iron that people could use. Today, you can find archaeological remains here. These are like clues left behind from the old furnaces. They help us imagine what the area looked like centuries ago.
Ironmasters' Hill in Marietta
Another important section is called "Ironmasters' Hill." This area is in the town of Marietta. It has five old homes that belonged to important people called "ironmasters." Ironmasters were the owners or managers of the iron furnaces. These homes were built between 1848 and 1876. They show us how wealthy and important these families were in the community.
The Donegal Creek Area
The third part of the district is around Donegal Creek. This area includes old farmlands. It also has places where iron ore was dug out of the ground. These are called iron pits. You can also find old limestone quarries here. Limestone was another important material. It was used in the iron-making process. All these lands were owned by the same ironmasters. This shows how they controlled many parts of the local economy.
Why is this District Important?
The Chickies Historic District helps us understand the history of industry and daily life in Pennsylvania. It shows how iron was made and how it shaped the towns nearby. By protecting these places, we can learn about the past for many years to come. It's a great example of how history is all around us.
