Downtown New Iberia Commercial Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Downtown New Iberia Commercial Historic District
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Pascal Building and Leblanc & Broussard Ford Dealership on East Main Street
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Fulton Street, Burke Street, Weeks Street, St. Peter Street and Jefferson Street, New Iberia, Louisiana |
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| Area | 68.87 acres (27.87 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 100001710 |
| Added to NRHP | December 13, 2017 |
The Downtown New Iberia Commercial Historic District is a special area in New Iberia, Louisiana. It's like a time capsule, showing how the town looked and worked in the past. This district is found along Main Street and St. Peter Street, stretching from Jefferson Street to Weeks Street.
This historic area covers about 68.87 acres (that's about 52 football fields!). It includes 121 buildings, but 73 of them are considered "contributing properties." This means they are important to the district's history. Some of these buildings are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places on their own. The buildings here were built between 1870 and 1967. They tell stories about the shops, businesses, and fun places people used to visit.
Even though a building called The Magnolias is inside this district, it's not part of the historic district's special list. This is because it was a house, not a business, so it doesn't "contribute" to the commercial history. The Downtown New Iberia Commercial Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 13, 2017. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place in the United States.
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What is a Historic District?
A historic district is a special area that has many buildings, structures, or objects that are important to history. These places are often protected to keep their original look and feel. They help us learn about how people lived and worked a long time ago.
When a place is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it means it's recognized by the U.S. government as historically significant. This helps protect these places for future generations. It also encourages people to preserve and care for them.
Exploring Downtown New Iberia's History
The Downtown New Iberia Commercial Historic District is full of buildings that once served as important businesses. These buildings show us how commerce and entertainment changed over nearly a century. From old post offices to theaters, each building has a unique story.
The district includes a variety of buildings. Many were stores, banks, and offices. Others were places for fun, like movie theaters. These buildings help us understand the daily lives of people in New Iberia long ago.
Important Buildings and Their Stories
Many buildings in the district are called "contributing properties." This means they help tell the story of the area's history. They are important because they still look much like they did when they were built.
One very unique contributing property is the shipwreck of the steamboat NEW IBERIA. It's a reminder of how important the bayou was for transportation and trade.
Main Street Highlights
Main Street was, and still is, a very important part of New Iberia. Many historic buildings line this street, showing its long history as a center for business.
- The Old Post Office at 300 East Main Street was built around 1903. It was a vital place for sending and receiving mail.
- The Pascal Building at 223 East Main Street was built in 1889. It's a beautiful example of older architecture.
- The Leblanc & Broussard Ford Dealership at 221 East Main Street opened around 1912. It shows how cars became a big part of life.
- The Evangeline Theater at 129 East Main Street was built in 1929-30. Imagine watching movies here decades ago!
- The John R. Taylor Drugstore at 145 West Main Street, built in 1907, was a place where people bought medicines and other goods.
- The People's National Bank at 119 West Main Street, built in 1911, was a key financial center.
- Wormser's Department Store at 112-116 East Main Street, built in 1932, was a large store where people could buy many different things.
Other Key Areas
Beyond Main Street, other streets in the district also hold important historical buildings.
- The Temple Gates of Prayer at 109 South Weeks Street, built around 1903, shows the religious history of the area.
- The Essanee Theater at 126 Iberia Street, built in 1937, was another popular spot for entertainment.
- The First United Methodist Church at 119 Jefferson Street, built in 1891, is a significant landmark.
These buildings, and many others in the district, help us understand the rich history of downtown New Iberia. They show how the town grew and changed over time, from a busy commercial hub to a place that values its past.
Images for kids
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Pascal Building at 223 East Main Street
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Evangeline Theater at 129 East Main Street
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John R. Taylor Drugstore at 145 West Main Street
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Wormser's Department Store at 112-116 East Main Street
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First United Methodist Church at 119 Jefferson Street
