Main Street Historic District (Willimantic, Connecticut) facts for kids
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Main Street Historic District
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Main St. in the 1930s
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 21–65 Church St., 667–1009 Main St., 24–28 N. St., and 20–22 Walnut St., 32, 50 and 54 North St., Willimantic, Connecticut |
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| Area | 21 acres (8.5 ha) (original size) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004410 (original) 92000902 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 28, 1982 |
| Boundary increase | July 29, 1992 |
The Main Street Historic District is a special area in Willimantic, Connecticut. It's like a time capsule showing the history of the town's main business area. This district stretches along Main Street, which is also Route 66, and Riverside Drive. It includes many old buildings that tell the story of Willimantic's past.
This historic district was first added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 28, 1982. Later, on July 29, 1992, its size was increased. This expansion included the Hall and Bill building, which was built in 1889 by a famous printer in Willimantic.
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Exploring Willimantic's Historic Main Street
The Main Street Historic District covers the most important parts of downtown Willimantic. It shows how the town grew from a small settlement into a busy center. The buildings here reflect different styles from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
How Willimantic Began and Grew
English settlers first came to the Willimantic area in 1706. They built a sawmill and a gristmill near where the Natchaug and Willimantic Rivers meet. A natural drop of about 90 feet (27 meters) in the Willimantic River provided strong water power. This power was perfect for running machines.
In the early 1800s, this water power was used to make textiles, which are fabrics. By 1836, there were six large textile mills along the river. Willimantic quickly became a busy town with many factories and shops.
Main Street's Important Role
Main Street was first laid out in 1707. It became part of the important Windham Turnpike in 1799, which was a major road for travelers. This meant many people passed through Willimantic. Later in the 1800s, the town also became a major railroad hub. Two big railway lines crossed here, making it even more important for trade and travel.
Around 1870, Main Street started to change a lot. It went from having mostly homes to being filled with businesses. Shops, offices, and other commercial buildings replaced many houses.
Civic Buildings and Old Structures
Starting in the 1890s, the town of Windham moved its government offices from Windham Center to Willimantic. The new Town Hall, built in the Georgian Revival style, opened in 1896. This showed how important Willimantic had become.
The oldest surviving buildings in the district are two wooden mill buildings. They were built in the 1830s and are located near the southwestern end of the district. These buildings are a great reminder of Willimantic's early days as a mill town.
