Church Street Historic District (Ware, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church Street Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ware, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Built | 1825 |
| Architect | Cummings, Marcus Fayette; Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001246 |
| Added to NRHP | March 10, 1983 |
The Church Street Historic District is a special area in Ware, Massachusetts. It's known for its beautiful old buildings, especially along Church Street. This district is mostly a neighborhood with many homes built in the late 1800s. You can also find some well-preserved Greek Revival style houses here.
This area grew because of the factories and industries that developed nearby. In 1983, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
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What Makes Church Street Special?
The town of Ware started in the mid-1700s. Its main center was a few miles away. However, the Ware River, south of this district, had waterfalls that were perfect for powering factories. This led to a lot of industrial growth in the 1800s.
How Industry Shaped the Area
Big factories for making textiles began in 1821. This led to new streets being planned, forming the town's business center. Church Street became a main road leading north from this busy area. Soon, churches and homes were built on its southern end.
This part of the district has many different types of houses. Most of them are in the Greek Revival style. These homes were built before 1850.
Later Developments and Architecture
The northern part of Church Street was mostly farmland until the 1880s. Four old farmhouses from that time are still standing today. As Ware's economy grew in the late 1800s, many fancy Queen Anne Victorian houses were built. Many of these homes still have their original carriage houses, which are like old garages for horse-drawn carriages.
In the early 1900s, more Colonial Revival houses were added. These filled in empty spaces between the older buildings.
Important Buildings and Parks
The old Ware High School building was built in 1893. It's a significant part of the district's history. Also, Grenville Park was designed in 1907. It followed the ideas of a famous landscape architect named Frederick Law Olmsted. This park is huge, covering 99 acres, and even extends across the Ware River. It's the largest part of the historic district.
