Dolington Village Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dolington Village Historic District
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House in the Dolington Village Historic District, October 2012
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jct. of Rt. 532 and Mt. Eyre Rd. (Washington Crossing Rd.), Dolington, Upper Makefield Township and Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 36 acres (15 ha) |
| Architectural style | Gothic, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000444 |
| Added to NRHP | May 26, 1994 |
The Dolington Village Historic District is a special area in Dolington, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It's like a time capsule, preserving buildings and places from long ago. This district is officially recognized as important because it shows us what life was like in the past.
It includes 64 main buildings, 2 important sites, and 4 structures that help tell the story of this old crossroads village. Most of these buildings were built between 1800 and 1875.
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What Makes Dolington Historic?
A historic district is a place where old buildings and areas are protected. This helps us learn about history and see how people lived many years ago. The Dolington Village Historic District covers about 36 acres. It's a mostly residential area, meaning it has many homes.
The buildings here show off two main styles of architecture:
- Federal style: This style was popular in the United States from about 1780 to 1830. It often features simple, elegant designs with balanced shapes.
- Gothic Revival style: This style became popular later, around the mid-1800s. It often includes pointed arches, steep roofs, and decorative details, like those found in old European churches.
Exploring Dolington's Old Buildings
Many interesting buildings make up this historic district. They give us clues about the people who lived and worked here.
Some of the notable buildings include:
- The John L. Cox House (built around 1887)
- The Joseph Moon House
- The Balderson House
- The John Harris House (from 1803)
- The William Thornton House (around 1803)
- The John B. Alcutt House (around 1845)
- The Dolington Schoolhouse (built in 1860): Imagine kids learning their lessons in this very building over 160 years ago!
The district also has the ruins of the Canby / Davis Blacksmith Shop from around 1790. A blacksmith shop was a very important place in old villages. It's where skilled workers made and repaired metal tools, horseshoes, and other essential items.
Why Dolington is Special
Dolington was once a busy "crossroads village." This means it was located where important roads met. Such places were often centers for trade, travel, and community life. The buildings in the district show how the village grew and changed over time.
Because of its historical importance, the Dolington Village Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This is an official list of places in the United States that are considered worthy of preservation because of their historical significance.
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