East Main Street Historic District (New Iberia, Louisiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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East Main Street Historic District
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | East Main Street, Lee Street, Ann Street and Philip Street, New Iberia, Louisiana |
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| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000507 |
| Added to NRHP | July 28, 1983 |
The East Main Street Historic District is a special area in downtown New Iberia, Louisiana. It's like a time capsule! This district is found along East Main Street, stretching from Weeks Street to Philip Street.
A historic district is a neighborhood or area with many old buildings. These buildings are important because they show us what life was like long ago. The East Main Street Historic District covers about 30 acres (12 hectares). It has 71 buildings in total.
Many of these buildings, 57 of them, are called "contributing properties." This means they help make the district special and historic. Some of these buildings are even more famous. Four of them are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of these, called Shadows-on-the-Teche, is a National Historic Landmark. This is a very high honor for a historic place!
The buildings in this district were built between 1834 and 1933. They show us the most important homes on New Iberia's main street during a key time in history. The East Main Street Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 28, 1983.
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What Makes a Building "Contributing"?
When a building is called a "contributing property," it means it adds to the historical importance of the district. These buildings usually keep their original look and feel. They help tell the story of the area's past.
The East Main Street Historic District has 57 of these special buildings. They were all built between 1834 and 1933. Let's look at some of the most interesting ones:
Famous Homes and Buildings
- Shadows-on-the-Teche (317 East Main Street): This beautiful house was built in 1834. It's one of the most famous buildings here. It's so important that it's also a National Historic Landmark. You can visit it and learn about its history.
- Steamboat House (623 East Main Street): Built in 1882, this house is also known as the Cyr House. It has a unique design that might remind you of an old steamboat. It's another individually listed historic property.
- Temple Gates of Prayer (109 South Weeks Street): This synagogue was built around 1903. It's a significant religious building in the district. It's also part of the Downtown New Iberia Commercial Historic District.
- Old Post Office (300 East Main Street): This building, constructed around 1903, used to be the town's post office. It's another important part of the commercial historic district.
Other Historic Houses
Many other houses in the district are also "contributing properties." They show different styles of architecture from the late 1800s and early 1900s. These homes help create the historic feel of East Main Street. They include houses built in the 1880s, 1890s, and early 1900s. Each one has its own story and adds to the district's charm.
For example, there are many homes on East Main Street itself, like the one at 417 East Main Street. There are also historic houses on nearby streets like Philip Street, Lee Street, and Ann Street. These streets are part of the district too.
Why is This District Important?
The East Main Street Historic District is important for several reasons:
- Preserving History: It helps protect old buildings and their stories.
- Education: It teaches us about how people lived in the past.
- Community Pride: It gives the people of New Iberia a special place to be proud of.
By preserving these old buildings, we can make sure that future generations can also learn from and enjoy New Iberia's rich history.
