Hollis Village Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hollis Village Historic District
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly parts of Ash St., Broad St., Cleasby Ln., Depot Rd., Main St., Monument Sq. and Silver Lake Rd., Hollis, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 400 acres (160 ha) |
| Architect | William Butterfield |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000204 |
| Added to NRHP | March 2, 2001 |
The Hollis Village Historic District is a special area in Hollis, New Hampshire, where many old and important buildings are protected. It's like a time capsule showing how the town grew over 200 years. This district is centered around Monument Square, a key spot where several streets meet.
Contents
What is the Hollis Village Historic District?
This historic district covers about 400 acres (160 hectares). It includes parts of Main Street, Depot Street, Broad Street, Silver Lake Road, and Ash Street. Most of the buildings here are homes or old farm buildings. They were built before the year 1900. The very oldest buildings date back to the mid-1700s.
Exploring the Historic Buildings
Many of the buildings in the district are important because of their age or design. They show how people lived and worked long ago.
The Oldest Town Building
One of the oldest buildings used by the town is the "Always Ready Engine House." It was built in 1859. This building is shaped like a triangle and stands at the west end of Monument Square. It's a great example of the town's early public buildings.
The Impressive Town Hall
The most beautifully designed building in the district is the town hall. It was built in 1887. A famous architect named William Butterfield from Manchester designed it. The town hall shows off some of the best architecture from that time.
How Hollis Village Began
The area that is now Hollis has a long history. It was first part of a larger town called Dunstable, Massachusetts. In 1740, it became its own town called "West Dunstable." Six years later, in 1746, its name was changed to "Holles" by New Hampshire's colonial governor, Benning Wentworth.
Early Settlers and Town Gifts
The first person to settle here was Peter Powers in 1730. He built a house near 8 Silver Lake Road, though that house is no longer standing. Important parts of the town, like Monument Square and the cemetery, were given to the town by Abraham Taylor in 1740. The first church group, called the Congregational society, started in 1743.
Changes Over the Years
Around the year 1800, Hollis had the most people living there before the 1900s. After that, many farmers left to find better land in other parts of the country. In the late 1800s, some wealthy families built large vacation homes in Hollis. However, the town mostly remained a farming community until the late 1900s. Then, it started to become more like a suburb, with more homes and fewer farms.
The Hollis Village Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place.
