Enfield Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Enfield Historic District
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Enfield Congregational Church
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1106-1492 Enfield St., Enfield, Connecticut |
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| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Built | 1848 |
| Architect | Stone, F.M.; Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Late Victorian, Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002664 |
| Added to NRHP | August 10, 1979 |
The Enfield Historic District is a special area in Enfield, Connecticut. It covers about two miles of Enfield Street, which is the main road going north and south through the town. This district is famous for its many old houses, built from the 1700s to the early 1900s. It also includes the town common, where you'll find the church and the old town hall. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 because of its important history and beautiful buildings.
Contents
Exploring Enfield's Historic Street
The town of Enfield was settled a long time ago, in the 1600s. It officially became a town in 1683. Enfield Street, which is now called United States Route 5, has always been the most important road in the area. It runs north and south, just east of the Connecticut River. The street sits on a higher piece of land, safe from floods.
How Enfield Street Grew
When the town was first planned, people laid out their land in long strips. These strips went from the road all the way to the river. Houses were built close to the road, and the rest of the land was used for farming. This way of using the land continued for many years, even into the 1900s. Because of this, the area mostly has homes, not many shops or businesses.
What You'll See in the District
The Enfield Historic District is like a long line of history. It stretches for about two miles along Enfield Street. It starts near Connecticut Route 190 in the north and ends where Old King Street meets Oliver Road in the south.
Homes Through the Centuries
Most of the buildings you'll see are wooden houses. They are usually one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half stories tall. Even though they were built at different times, they often have a similar shape and are placed on their land in a similar way. You can see many different styles of architecture here.
Important Buildings to Spot
One of the most impressive houses is the Orrin Thompson house. It's located at the corner of Enfield Street and South Road. This large brick house was built in 1832. Orrin Thompson was important because he started the carpet-making businesses in Enfield.
Near his house, you can also see the town's old parade ground from the 1600s. Close by are the Congregational Church, built in 1848, and the former town hall. Both of these buildings are also in the Greek Revival style, which was popular in the 1800s.
