Downtown Norwich Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Downtown Norwich Historic District
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Union Square, Park, Main and Shetland Streets, and Washington Square, Norwich, Connecticut, United States |
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| Area | 64 acres (26 ha) |
| Architect | Evan Burdick and others |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Greek Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000707 |
| Added to NRHP | April 4, 1985 |
The Downtown Norwich Historic District is a special area in Norwich, Connecticut, United States. It's like a protected neighborhood because it has many old and important buildings. This district shows off the heart of downtown Norwich.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This is a list of places in the U.S. that are important to history. The district covers about 64 acres (26 hectares). It includes 115 buildings that help tell the story of the area. Some buildings in the district are so important that they are also listed on their own. These include the Norwich Town Hall, the Telephone Exchange Building, and the Carroll Building.
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Discovering Downtown Norwich
This historic district is a great place to explore. It lets you see how Norwich grew over hundreds of years. Many buildings here are from the 1700s and 1800s. They show different styles of architecture from those times.
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is a group of buildings, structures, or objects that are important together. They are often linked by history, architecture, or how they were used. Protecting these areas helps us remember and learn about the past. It keeps old buildings safe for future generations to enjoy.
A Look Back in Time
Norwich was first settled by English colonists in the 1600s. The city's first dock was built in 1684. Norwich quickly became a busy shipping port. All the action happened near the water, where the Shetucket, Yantic, and Thames Rivers meet.
The downtown area grew just north of the main port. Main Street became the central road. The oldest shop building still standing today was built in 1742. The oldest house dates back to 1745.
A big fire in 1793 destroyed many downtown buildings. After the fire, people started building with brick instead of wood. This made buildings safer from fires. However, growth slowed down because of the War of 1812. This war caused problems for trade and shipping.
Buildings You'll See
Because of these events, many buildings in downtown Norwich are from the 1800s and early 1900s. You will see styles like Greek Revival. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek temples, like tall columns. You'll also see late 19th and early 20th-century architecture. These buildings were built when Norwich was a key place for moving goods by train or ship.
By this time, Norwich had many different businesses. It had banks, textile factories, and other industries that used water power. The downtown area still has many old buildings from the 1700s and 1800s. They are centered around the beautiful harbor.
