Lincoln–Sunset Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lincoln–Sunset Historic District
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A house on Lincoln Avenue
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly, Lincoln Ave. from Northampton Rd. to Fearing St., Amherst, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 41.8 acres (16.9 ha) |
| Architect | Putnam, Karl |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Greek Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000008 |
| Added to NRHP | February 22, 1993 |
The Lincoln–Sunset Historic District is a special neighborhood in Amherst, Massachusetts. It's known for its beautiful old homes. People often called it Millionaire's Row because many wealthy people lived there.
This district is located west of downtown Amherst. It stretches along Lincoln and Sunset Avenues. It goes from Northampton Street (which is Massachusetts Route 9) all the way to the campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This area was one of the first neighborhoods in Amherst that was carefully planned. It has many high-quality houses built by important people. These included merchants, business owners, and professors. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. This means it's recognized as an important historical area.
Contents
Discovering Lincoln–Sunset Historic District
This section will tell you more about how the Lincoln–Sunset Historic District came to be. You'll learn about its history and what makes it special.
A Look Back: How the District Grew
Let's explore the history of Amherst and how this unique neighborhood developed.
Early Amherst and Its Homes
The town of Amherst officially became a town in 1768. Before that, it was part of Hadley, Massachusetts. Amherst grew a lot in the 1800s. This was thanks to local businesses and the growth of Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
At first, homes west of the town center were mostly on Amity Street. This was the main road to Hadley. The oldest house in this district, the Solomon Boltwood House, was built around 1751 on Amity Street.
Why This Area Became Popular
Land south of Amity Street was given to Amherst College. It was used for farming for many years. Meanwhile, industries like factories started to grow east of the town center. This was because the railroad was built there.
Because of the smells and busy activity from the factories, the west side of town became popular. It was a fashionable place for wealthy business owners and merchants to live. They wanted to avoid the industrial areas. Lincoln Street was officially recognized by the town in 1873. Many house lots were planned out by a local company in 1882. When they sold these lots, the deeds often required houses to be built at a certain cost. They also had to match the style of nearby properties.
Exploring the District's Unique Style
The Lincoln–Sunset Historic District has a very distinct look and feel. Let's see what makes it stand out.
What Makes the Houses Special
The district is two blocks west of downtown Amherst. It's separated by another historic area called the Prospect-Gaylord Historic District. The Lincoln–Sunset District runs along Lincoln Avenue. It goes from Fearing Street almost to Route 9. It also includes houses on Sunset Avenue between Amity and Elm Streets.
Most of the houses in this area were built between 1870 and 1930. However, some are from the mid-1800s, and a few are from the 1950s. The neighborhood has a consistent look. This is partly because the developers who planned the area in the late 1800s set rules for building.
The streets are shaded by large, old trees. The houses sit on big lots with spacious lawns. Most buildings are two-and-a-half stories tall. They are usually made of wood. The most common architectural styles you'll see are the Queen Anne Victorian and the Colonial Revival.
