East Second Street Commercial Historic District (Winona, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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East Second Street Commercial Historic District
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View of the northeast corner of 2nd and Center Sts
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 66–78 Center, 54–78 East 2nd, and 67–71 Lafayette Streets, Winona, Minnesota |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1863–1915 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 90002198 |
| Designated HD | January 25, 1991 |
The East Second Street Commercial Historic District is a special area in Winona, Minnesota. It's like a small outdoor museum! This district protects a group of old buildings. These buildings show what Winona was like a long time ago.
Most of these buildings were built in the 1860s. They are important because they are some of the last parts of Winona's first downtown. This area reminds us how fast Winona grew. It became a big center for trading wood and grain.
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What is the East Second Street Historic District?
A historic district is a special area with old buildings. These buildings have a shared history or look. The East Second Street Commercial Historic District is in Winona, Minnesota. It covers about three acres. This is roughly the size of three football fields.
The district includes 14 important buildings. These buildings are called "contributing properties." This means they help tell the story of the district. They are found on Center, East 2nd, and Lafayette Streets.
Why is This Area Special?
This district is very important for two main reasons. First, it shows us old building styles. These styles include Gothic Revival and Italianate architecture. Second, it tells the story of how Winona grew as a business center.
The buildings here are some of the oldest in Winona. They show how people built stores and offices back then. They also show how important trade was to the city.
Buildings from the Past
The buildings in the district were mostly built between 1863 and 1915. Many of them are from the late 1860s. This makes them over 150 years old! They are like time capsules.
These buildings once housed shops, offices, and other businesses. They were the heart of Winona's early economy. Looking at them helps us imagine life in the past.
Winona's Early Days as a Trade Hub
Winona is located on the Mississippi River. This river was like a superhighway in the past. It helped Winona become a busy trade center. The city was known for its lumber and grain.
Trees were cut down and floated down the river. Grain from farms was also brought to Winona. These goods were then sold and shipped to other places. The businesses in the East Second Street district were part of this busy trade.
Protecting History: The National Register
The East Second Street Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect these special places.
When a place is on the National Register, it means it has "state-level significance." This means it's important to the history of Minnesota. It helps people learn about the past. It also encourages people to preserve these old buildings.
