Little Falls Commercial Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Little Falls Commercial Historic District
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![]() The 100 block of 1st Street SE, L to R:
#122 Maurin Block (1895); #120 W. Tonn Block (1895); #118 & #116 Kerrich and Moeglin Block (1896 & 1898); #114 Black and White Cafe (1931); #112 Wetzel Block (1883) |
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Location | Roughly 1st St. SE from 1st Ave SE to 1st Ave. NE, Little Falls, Minnesota |
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Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
Architect | Perry Crosier and others |
Architectural style | Moderne, Late Victorian |
NRHP reference No. | 94000740 |
Added to NRHP | July 22, 1994 |
The Little Falls Commercial Historic District is a special area in downtown Little Falls, Minnesota. It's like a preserved piece of history! This district covers about 6 acres of 1st Street SE. It stretches between 1st Avenue SE and 1st Avenue NE.
This important area was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 22, 1994. It was recognized because it was the main business center of Little Falls for many years.
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is a group of buildings, structures, or objects that are important together. They are usually connected by history, design, or how they were built. These districts are protected to keep their special character.
Being on the National Register of Historic Places means the area is recognized for its historical value. It helps to preserve these places for future generations to enjoy.
Exploring Bank Square
The Little Falls Commercial Historic District includes 37 buildings. These buildings are spread across four city blocks. They are mainly found around the intersection of 1st Street SE and Broadway Avenue. This area is often called "Bank Square".
As the name suggests, you can find several banks here. But it's not just banks! The district also has many different kinds of stores. You can find restaurants where people used to eat. There's even a movie theater and an American Legion post.
Buildings with History
Out of the 37 buildings in the district, 32 are considered "contributing" buildings. This means they help tell the story of the district's history. They were built between 1887 and 1936. These buildings show the different styles of architecture from that time.
One important building is the Buckman Hotel. It was built in 1901 at 100-106 First Avenue S.E. The hotel was rebuilt after a fire, following its original 1892 design. It's a large, three-story building made of brick.
Another notable building is the Little Falls Theatre. It was built in 1933. This theater has a special design called Moderne architecture. It was designed by Perry Crosier, a famous architect from Minneapolis.