Main Street Historic District (Middletown, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Main Street Historic District
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Northward view along Main Street from CT 66 junction, 2008
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Middletown, Connecticut |
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| Area | 20.5 acres (8.3 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Mixed (more than 2 styles from different periods) |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001275 |
| Added to NRHP | June 30, 1983 |
The Main Street Historic District is a special area in Middletown, Connecticut, United States. It's where many old and important buildings are located. Long ago, Middletown was a very busy port city on the Connecticut River. Main Street has always been the heart of the town, right from the start!
Even today, you can see many buildings from the 1800s here. This area is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's officially recognized for its history!
Contents
Exploring Middletown's Historic Main Street
The Main Street Historic District stretches along Main Street. It starts near St. John's Square in the north. On the west side, it goes for five blocks, reaching College Street. On the east side, it covers about four and a half blocks. This area is full of buildings that tell stories from the past.
Important Buildings in the District
Some buildings in the district are so special they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places all by themselves! These include the Church of the Holy Trinity and the Old Middletown Post Office.
Other buildings are also very important. They are considered eligible for their own historic status. These include the Arthur Magill, Jr. House/Chase School and the Main Street Firehouse. The North End Meeting House is another notable building. Many other blocks and buildings also help make this district unique.
Historic Buildings You Can See
Many buildings in the Main Street Historic District are called "contributing properties." This means they help show the area's history. Here are a few examples:
- Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank (225 Main Street): Built in 1920, this building shows a grand style.
- Old Post Office (291 Main Street): From 1916, this building has a classic look. It's now part of the Liberty Bank headquarters.
- Middletown Savings Bank (315 Main Street): Built in 1928, it has a formal, academic style.
- The Capitol Theater (354 Main Street): Opened in 1925, this theater has a Neo-Classical Revival design.
- The Church of the Holy Trinity (381 Main Street): Built between 1871 and 1874, this church is a great example of Gothic Revival architecture.
- Main Street Fire Station (533 Main Street): Built in 1899, this fire station has a Renaissance Revival style. It's a key building on the west side of the street.
- Arthur Magill, Jr. House-Chase School (625-631 Main Street): This building dates back to 1821. It shows both Federal and Greek Revival styles.
- Fourth Meeting House of the First Church of Christ, Scientist (710-712 Main Street): Built in 1799, this church has a Federal style. It is also known as the North End Meeting House.
- O'Rourke's Diner (738 Main Street): This diner was moved to its current spot in 1947. It has cool Art Deco details.
- St. John's Roman Catholic Church (9 St. John's Street): Built in 1852, with its spire added in 1864, this church is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival.
There are also some buildings that are not considered "contributing" to the historic feel. But they are still part of the district.
Images for kids
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Main Street, looking north from College Street, from a postcard sent in 1914
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Municipal Building, before 1907
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Main Street, looking north "from City Hall", about 1912
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Former Farmers & Mechanics Bank, now Citizens Bank, 2012
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Liberty Bank is now headquartered in these three historic buildings, 2012
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Northeast corner of Main and Washington, 2012
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Main Street Firehouse, 2012
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West side of Main Street in the North End, 2012
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J. Poliner & Sons Building, across from the firehouse, 2012
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Fourth Meeting House of the First Church of Christ, now New Hope Bible Way Church, 2012
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Saint John's Roman Catholic Church, 2012
