Maple-Union Corners facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Maple-Union Corners
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The Female Seminary
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Maple and Union Sts., Springfield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1832 |
| Architect | Sanborn, Simon |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000243 |
| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1976 |
The Maple-Union Corners is a special area in Springfield, Massachusetts. It's called a historic district because it has many old and important buildings. This area is famous for the Springfield Female Seminary building, which was built in 1832. It's now used as homes. Many important people from Springfield's past lived in the unique houses here. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Contents
Discovering Maple-Union Corners
Maple-Union Corners is located where Maple Street and Union Street meet. It includes buildings on both the north and south sides of Maple Street. This area is like a living museum, showing how people lived and built homes long ago.
A Look at the Buildings
The buildings in this district are very old and have interesting designs.
The Solomon Merrick House
The house at 83 Maple Street was built in 1841. It was first owned by Solomon Merrick, who invented the monkey wrench. Later, Ansel Phelps, who was the fourth mayor of Springfield, owned this house. It's a beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture. This style uses elements from ancient Greek buildings, like tall columns. This house has a large front porch with two-story columns.
The Female Seminary Building
Next to the Merrick house is the old Springfield Female Seminary building. This building is made of brick and has two stories. It has a classic look with a pointed roof.
Maple Street Townhouses
On the south side of Maple Street, you'll find a row of three brick townhouses at 80-84 Maple Street. They were built in 1870 and also have two stories. Two of these townhouses have a special roof called a mansard roof, which has slopes on all sides. The townhouse at the corner has a fancy decorative wall at the top. Another building at 76-78 Maple Street is a duplex, meaning it has two homes. It also has a mansard roof and a small, pointed tower at one corner.
Famous Residents and Their Homes
Many important people lived in the homes at Maple-Union Corners. Besides Solomon Merrick and Ansel Phelps, other notable residents included Francis Fuller, who owned the Fuller Block, and Edmund Chapin, who was the president of the John Hancock National Bank. These homes show the style and history of Springfield's leading citizens in the 1800s.
