Marshalltown Downtown Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Marshalltown Downtown Historic District
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by 2nd St., State St., 3rd. Ave., and E. Church St. Marshalltown, Iowa |
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| Area | more than 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Architectural style | Italianate Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 01001463 |
| Added to NRHP | January 17, 2002 |
The Marshalltown Downtown Historic District is a special area in Marshalltown, Iowa. It's like a time capsule showing how the city looked and worked long ago. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it's recognized as an important place in American history.
This historic district covers most of Marshalltown's main business area. It includes many old buildings that tell a story about the city's past.
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Exploring Marshalltown's Historic Downtown
The Marshalltown Downtown Historic District is a place where history comes alive. It has 96 different parts, including 79 important buildings. These buildings help show what the district was like in the past. There is also one historic site. The district helps us understand how Marshalltown grew over time.
What Makes it Historic?
The buildings in the district were mostly built between 1862 and 1950. This time period is important for understanding the area's history. Many buildings show popular styles from those years.
- Italianate: This style often has tall, narrow windows and decorative brackets under the roof.
- Romanesque Revival: Buildings in this style might have round arches and strong, heavy stone.
- Vernacular: This means buildings were built in a common, local style. They often used materials and methods popular in the area.
Some famous architects designed buildings here. For example, John C. Cochrane designed the Marshall County Courthouse in 1886. Patton and Miller designed the public library in 1902.
Buildings You'll See
The district has many different kinds of buildings. They show how people lived and worked in Marshalltown.
- Shops and Businesses: You'll find many commercial buildings. These were once stores, offices, and places where people did business.
- Entertainment Spots: There's an old opera house and a movie theater. These were places where people went for fun.
- Community Places: The district also has a fraternal hall. This was a meeting place for community groups.
- Government Buildings: Important civic buildings are here too. These include the Marshall County Courthouse, the sheriff's residence, and the city's municipal building. There's also a civic auditorium and the public library.
- Different Sizes: The buildings vary a lot in size. Some are narrow, two-story shops. Others are large, three-story buildings on corners. The tallest is the seven-story Hotel Tallcorn.
A Bit of History
The city of Marshalltown started as a village called Marshall. It was first planned out on August 15, 1853. But there was another town named Marshall in a different county. To avoid confusion, the village was renamed Marshalltown in 1862. It officially became a city the next year.
A Recent Challenge
On July 19, 2018, a tornado hit Marshalltown. It caused a lot of damage to many buildings in the historic district. This included important places like the courthouse, city hall, and the civic auditorium. The community has been working to repair and restore these historic structures.
