Downtown Torrington Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Downtown Torrington Historic District
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Yankee Pedlar
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Church and Alvord Sts., Center Cemetery, Willow St., E. Main St., Litchfield St., and Prospect St., Torrington, Connecticut |
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| Area | 56 acres (23 ha) |
| Architect | Hunt, William E.; Et al. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian, Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002978 |
| Added to NRHP | December 22, 1988 |
The Downtown Torrington Historic District is a special area in Torrington, Connecticut. It's like a time capsule of the city's past. This historic district covers about 56 acres. It shows off many cool buildings from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. The district was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This means it's recognized as an important place in American history.
What is the Downtown Torrington Historic District?
This historic area is the old heart of downtown Torrington. It's located right where the Naugatuck River flows through the city. Imagine a place where you can see how a town grew over many years. That's what this district is all about. It has buildings that tell stories of different times.
A Look Back: Torrington's Early Days
The area we now call downtown Torrington started growing a long time ago. In the 1700s, it was an important meeting point for major roads. These roads connected towns like Waterbury and Canton. Today, these old roads are still busy streets like Main Street and East Main Street.
A mill was built on the Naugatuck River in 1813. This helped the area grow even more. Then, in 1849, the railroad arrived. This was a huge deal! It made Torrington a much busier place. By 1880, the area around Central Square was clearly the main part of downtown.
Later, in the 1920s, the economy slowed down. Some parts of downtown changed over time. But many of the old buildings still stand. They remind us of Torrington's rich history.
Exploring the District: Cool Buildings and Landmarks
The historic district is shaped a bit like a triangle. It centers around the spot where Main Street and East Main Street meet. This is just north of the Naugatuck River. The district stretches north along these roads. It goes up to Alvord and Willow Streets. It also crosses the river to the south. There, you'll find Coe Memorial Park and some nearby buildings.
There are 71 buildings in the district that are historically important. One famous spot is the Yankee Pedlar. It was originally the Conley Hotel, built in 1891. Another amazing place is the Warner Theatre. The Fyler-Hotchkiss Estate is also part of the district. Both the Warner Theatre and the Fyler-Hotchkiss Estate are so important that they are listed separately on the National Register. You can even take a walking tour of the district. The Torrington Historical Society created a tour that visits 21 special properties. It's a great way to see the history up close!
