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Fairmount Avenue Historic District
Fairmount HD 16th and F.JPG
16th and F, Fairmount Avenue Historic District, August 2010
Fairmount Avenue Historic District is located in Philadelphia
Fairmount Avenue Historic District
Location in Philadelphia
Fairmount Avenue Historic District is located in Pennsylvania
Fairmount Avenue Historic District
Location in Pennsylvania
Fairmount Avenue Historic District is located in the United States
Fairmount Avenue Historic District
Location in the United States
Location Fairmount Ave., Melon St., North St., 15th St., 16th St., and 17th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Area 20 acres (8.1 ha)
Architect Baker and Dallett
Architectural style Late Victorian, Modern Movement, et al.
NRHP reference No. 02000066
Added to NRHP February 20, 2002

The Fairmount Avenue Historic District is a special area in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Spring Garden neighborhood. This district is like a preserved neighborhood that shows how people lived and worked a long time ago. It includes 75 important buildings. These buildings are homes, shops, and even old factories. They were built between the mid-1800s and the early 1900s. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

What is a Historic District?

A historic district is a special area recognized for its important past. It has buildings that show how people lived and worked in earlier times. These areas are protected to keep their unique look and feel. This helps us learn about history and appreciate old architecture. The Fairmount Avenue Historic District is one such protected area.

Why is Fairmount Avenue Special?

The Fairmount Avenue Historic District covers about 20 acres. It has many different types of buildings. You can find homes, businesses, and industrial buildings here. They all tell a story about Philadelphia's past. The district helps us understand how the city grew and changed.

Homes from the Past

Many homes in the district are called rowhouses. These are houses built side-by-side in a row. They were popular in the 1800s. Most of these homes show the Late Victorian style. This means they have designs and decorations typical of the Victorian era. They often feature detailed brickwork and charming front porches.

Shops and Factories

The district also has interesting commercial and industrial buildings. These were built in the early 1900s. They show early modern and Art Deco styles. Art Deco is a design style known for its bold geometric shapes and rich decorations.

  • The A.F. Bernot and Brothers dye works was built in 1900–01. It was a place where fabrics were dyed.
  • The Gaul, Derr, and Shearer building was built in 1911 and expanded in 1915.
  • The Security Elevator factory was built in 1925. It made elevators.
  • The Alemite Lubricator Company offices also date to 1925.

These buildings show the different types of businesses that once thrived in this area.

Protecting the District

The boundaries of the Fairmount Avenue Historic District were officially set on May 2, 2002. This decision was made by the City Council. Protecting this area means that its historic buildings are preserved. This helps future generations see and learn from these important structures. It keeps the history of Philadelphia alive.

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