Diamond Historic District (Lynn, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Diamond Historic District
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![]() A large Victorian home in Lynn's Diamond District
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Location | Lynn, Massachusetts |
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Built | 1837 |
Architect | Betts, Thomas; Bixbee, C.A., et al. |
Architectural style | Federal, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 96001040 |
Added to NRHP | October 10, 1996 |
The Diamond Historic District is a special area in Lynn, Massachusetts, known for its important history and beautiful old buildings. It's like a big outdoor museum! This district is right by the ocean and covers about 70 acres. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
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Exploring the Diamond Historic District
The Diamond Historic District is a seaside area in Lynn, Massachusetts. It was created by the National Park Service in 1996. This district is located between downtown Lynn and the Atlantic Ocean. It includes 590 important historical buildings and places.
Finding the Diamond District
The district is generally bordered by Broad and Lewis Streets to the north. To the southeast, you'll find Lynn Shore Drive. Nahant Street is to the west, and Eastern Avenue is to the east. It's a large area with many interesting sights.
A Look at Early Homes
Even though some parts of the Diamond Historic District were settled in the 1630s, the oldest building still standing is the Daniel Newhall House, built around 1825. Many of the first homes here were simple, two-and-a-half-story buildings. They often had a chimney in the middle, showing the Federal architecture style. You can also find several homes built in the Greek Revival architecture style.
Becoming a Popular Resort
After 1840, the Diamond District really grew. It became a popular place for people to visit in the summer, especially along the coast. Because of this, many homes from the mid- and late-1800s were built here.
Popular Building Styles
The most common building style you'll see is Colonial Revival architecture. Many homes in this style were built between 1890 and 1940. A great example is the Charles Lovejoy House, which was added to the National Register in 1978.
You can also find many homes in other styles. These include Italianate architecture, Queen Anne, and Second Empire. The Lucian Newhall House, added to the National Register in 1985, is a good example of these styles. The American Shingle style architecture is also very common here.
Other Buildings in the District
While most buildings in the Diamond District are homes, there are also some businesses. These are mainly located on Broad and Lewis Streets. The district also has four religious buildings. The oldest is a Quaker meetinghouse, built around 1825. The other three religious buildings, two churches and one synagogue, were built in the early 1900s.