East Blackstone Village Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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East Blackstone Village Historic District
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Along Elm Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Blackstone, Massachusetts |
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| Architectural style | Georgian, Greek Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001040 |
| Added to NRHP | September 6, 1995 |
The East Blackstone Village Historic District is a special area in eastern Blackstone, Massachusetts. It's like a time capsule that shows what a small village looked like in the 1800s. This district is found around Elm Street and Summer Street. It used to be an important stop on a main road between Worcester and Providence, Rhode Island. This historic area was officially recognized in 1995.
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Where is East Blackstone Village?
East Blackstone village is located in Blackstone, Massachusetts. It's in the southeastern part of Worcester County. The village is very close to the border of Rhode Island. Elm Street, a main road, runs through the village. This road once connected the cities of Worcester and Providence.
The Mill River and Early Industries
The Mill River flows near Elm Street. The river was very important for the village's early businesses. Its water powered a grist mill, which ground grain, starting in 1753. A saw mill, which cut wood, began operating in 1760. These mills were located where the river goes under Elm Street. Today, you can only find old foundations and archaeological clues of these mills.
Kelly's Bridge
Near the old mill sites, there is a stone arch bridge. It was built around 1850 and is known as Kelly's Bridge. Even though the mill area is a bit separate, it's part of the historic district. This is because the mills were very important for the village's growth long ago.
What Kind of Buildings Are There?
The East Blackstone Village Historic District has many interesting old buildings. There are fourteen homes, a school, and a former store. You can also find signs of old buildings that are no longer standing. Most of these buildings are on the south side of Elm Street or on Summer Street.
Oldest Homes and Styles
The oldest house in the district is the Seth Kelly House. It was built around 1760 and is located at 174 Elm Street. Most of the other buildings were built in the early 1800s. Many of the houses show off two popular styles from that time:
- Greek Revival: These homes often look like ancient Greek temples with columns and grand entrances.
- Federal Style: These homes are usually simpler, with balanced designs and often a fanlight window above the front door.
Unique Buildings
Some houses have unique features. For example, the Lyman Paine House at 116 Elm Street was built in the 1850s. Later, in the 1870s, it got a fashionable new roof called a mansard roof. This type of roof has slopes on all four sides.
The old school building is also special. It was built around 1830 and is made of brick. Brick buildings are quite rare in Blackstone from that time. Today, this old school has been turned into a home.
The Stone Store
Another unique building is the Stone Store. It's one of only three stone buildings from the 1800s in the whole town. This store is three stories tall. It's made from buff-colored stone laid in neat rows.
