Lyman Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lyman Block
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Lyman Block
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Brockton, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1876 |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004430 |
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1982 |
The Lyman Block is a really old and important building in Brockton, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1876. This building is a great example of the Italianate style of architecture, which was popular a long time ago. It's also one of a few well-preserved buildings from the 1800s in the city. Because it's so special, the Lyman Block was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
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About the Lyman Block
The Lyman Block is located right in downtown Brockton. It's across Main Street from City Hall. Right next to it is another similar old building called the Howard Block.
What Does It Look Like?
The Lyman Block is a four-story building. It is made of strong brick and has a flat roof. The corners of the building have special granite blocks called quoins. These make the corners look strong and decorative.
The windows have fancy brownstone tops called lintels. These lintels have decorative keystones and shoulders. The very top of the building has a decorative border called a cornice. This cornice has small supports underneath it, called brackets.
Most of the windows are simple up-and-down sliding windows. The windows in the middle section are doubled. This is where the main entrance used to be. Today, the ground floor has modern shops. The entrance to the upper floors is now on the Legion Parkway side.
A Look at Its History
Who Built It?
The Lyman Block was built in 1876. It was built for Lyman Clark, who was a local businessman. He worked in real estate. He also teamed up with other local businessmen to build it.
They owned a company called Howard Clark & Co. This company made furniture and even funeral caskets. Their company was one of the first businesses to have a shop on the ground floor of the new building.
What Was It Used For?
When it was first built, the upper floors of the Lyman Block were used for offices. Doctors, lawyers, and other professionals had their offices there.
Later, in the 1900s, the building's use changed. It started to be used for light manufacturing. This means small factories or workshops. Today, the building has been changed again. It is now used as housing for older people.
Why Is It Important Today?
The Lyman Block is very important to Brockton's history. It is one of the few places left in the city that still looks like a 19th-century street. It stands alongside the Howard Block, Goldthwaite Block, and Curtis Building. Together, these buildings show what the city looked like a long time ago.
