High Street Historic District (Camden, Maine) facts for kids
|
High Street Historic District
|
|
The Amphiteater
|
|
 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly High St. between Main St. and Sherman Point Rd., Camden, Maine |
|---|---|
| Area | 65 acres (26 ha) |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Shingle Style, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001843 (original) 99001186 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | January 5, 1989 |
| Boundary increase | September 24, 1999 |
The High Street Historic District is a special old neighborhood in Camden, Maine. It's like a time capsule, showing what homes looked like in the 1800s and early 1900s. This area has kept its historic feel since the 1920s. Even though nearby areas have changed with new shops, High Street still looks much the same. It shows off many different building styles from the 19th and early 20th centuries. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It was made even bigger in 1999 to include Harbor Park. This park was designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers.
Contents
Exploring the High Street Historic District
The town of Camden is located on the west side of Penobscot Bay. This is a beautiful area in the middle of the Maine coast. Camden's town center is right where the Megunticook River meets the bay. The first English settlers built mills here in 1771. The town officially became a town in 1791.
Camden's Growth and History
Camden grew a lot in the 1800s. It became an important port for shipping and building ships. United States Route 1 is the main road that goes through Camden. It passes through the busy center of town. The area north of the river used to be farmland. But as Camden's economy grew, more houses were built there. The town changed from being mostly about fishing and shipbuilding. Today, it's mostly known for tourism.
What You'll See in the District
The High Street district starts where Main and Atlantic Streets meet. It is next to the Camden Great Fire Historic District. That district covers the town's main shopping area. The southernmost parts of the High Street district include Harbor Park. You'll also find the Camden Public Library, built in 1929. Next to the library is a beautiful outdoor amphitheater. These two spots are very important because of the amazing landscape design by Fletcher Steele.
Harbor Park's Design
Harbor Park was designed by the Olmsted Brothers. They were famous landscape architects. The park was created in the 1930s. It still has its original paths and other features. From the library, the district goes north along Main and High Streets. It stretches all the way to Marine Drive. You can see houses that were once farmhouses from the early 1800s. There's also the impressive Queen Anne style Norumbega Castle. Its Carriage House is now a separate home.
