Leather District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Leather District
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Corner of South Street & Beach Street
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| Location | Boston, MA |
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| Built | 1883 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 83004098 |
| Added to NRHP | December 21, 1983 |
The Leather District is a unique neighborhood in Boston. It's located near South Street. You can find it between the Financial District and Chinatown. People sometimes call it the "LD" for short.
This area has clear boundaries. Kneeland Street is to the south, and Essex Street is to the north. Atlantic Avenue is on the east side, and Lincoln Street is on the west. It got its name because the leather industry was very important here. This was especially true in the late 1800s.
History of the Leather District
The Leather District didn't always exist. It was created when Boston expanded its land. This happened by filling in a watery area called the South Cove in the 1830s. This new land allowed for the development of this area and also Chinatown.
At first, people built homes here. But after the Great Boston Fire of 1872, things changed. This huge fire destroyed many businesses in Boston. New, strict rules were made for commercial buildings to prevent future fires.
Because of these rules, the Leather District became the center of the city's leather industry. Buildings built between the 1880s and 1920s show these new rules. They also show how leather makers needed to use their space well.
Building Design and Use
The ground floors of these buildings were made to show off leather goods. This was like a showroom for customers. The second floors were used for offices. Here, business deals were made.
The upper floors were used for storage. The very top floors held items that sold the slowest. This way, everything was organized efficiently.
Many famous architects designed these buildings. Some notable ones include Peabody and Stearns and Willard T. Sears. Their designs often showed the Richardsonian Romanesque style. This style is known for its strong, sturdy look.
The Leather District is special because its buildings are very similar. It's the most uniform commercial area from the 1800s in Boston. Because of its historical importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This list recognizes places important to American history.
