Downtown Perry Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Downtown Perry Historic District
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Between 3rd St., Lucinda St., 1st Ave., and Railroad St., Perry, Iowa |
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| Area | 3.6 acres (1.5 ha) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian Late 19th & early 20th century Revivals |
| MPS | Downtown Perry, Iowa MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001005 |
| Added to NRHP | September 8, 2000 |
The Downtown Perry Historic District, also known as Uptown, is a special area in Perry, Iowa, United States. It's recognized as a nationally important historic district. This means it has many old buildings and places that tell us about the past. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the year 2000.
When it was first listed, the district included 68 important parts. These included 58 buildings that help tell its history. There was also one important historic site. Nine other buildings were not considered historic enough to be included.
The main downtown area is split into different parts. Only some of these parts are included in the historic district. The parts that are included are the Triangle and Second Street above Willis Avenue. Other areas were left out because they had changed too much over time.
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Discovering Downtown Perry's History
The Downtown Perry Historic District helps us remember what the town was like long ago. It shows how people lived and worked in the past. It's like a living museum!
What Makes a Place Historic?
A historic district is a group of buildings, sites, or objects that are important to history. They are usually connected by their age, style, or what happened there. These places are protected so future generations can learn from them.
- Age: Buildings are often at least 50 years old.
- Importance: They played a role in local or national history.
- Design: They show special architectural styles.
- Integrity: They still look mostly like they did in the past.
Exploring Perry's Historic Sections
The Downtown Perry Historic District focuses on two main parts of the city center. These areas have kept their historic feel and look.
The Heart of the District: The Triangle
The Triangle is a public space right in the middle of downtown Perry. This area is home to the famous Perry Carnegie Library Building. Libraries like this were often built with money from Andrew Carnegie. They were important places for learning and community.
Second Street: Shops and Fun
Second Street above Willis Avenue is a busy part of the district. It stretches for two blocks north of the Triangle. This street was, and still is, a hub for many things.
- Professional Offices: Places where doctors, lawyers, and other professionals worked.
- Retail Businesses: Shops where people bought clothes, food, and other goods.
- Entertainment: Places like theaters or cafes where people could relax and have fun.
This part of Second Street shows how people shopped and spent their free time. It gives us a peek into daily life from many years ago.
Why Preserve Historic Places?
Preserving historic districts like Downtown Perry is very important. It helps us understand our past. It also keeps the unique character of a town alive.
- Learning: Historic places teach us about history and how communities grew.
- Community Pride: They give people a sense of identity and pride in their town.
- Tourism: They attract visitors, which can help local businesses.
- Sustainability: Reusing old buildings is often better for the environment than building new ones.
