Monument Square Historic District (Alton, New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Monument Square Historic District
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main, Factory, Church, and Depot Sts., Alton, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) |
| Built | 1830 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002512 |
| Added to NRHP | March 15, 1984 |
The Monument Square Historic District in Alton, New Hampshire, is a special area that shows what the town looked like in the 1800s. It's a roughly triangular space where two main roads meet. This district is famous for its old buildings that are still in great shape. Its unusual shape comes from being a busy meeting point for roads a long time ago. This historic area was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Contents
Discovering Monument Square's History
How the Square Began
Back in 1722, the government of New Hampshire wanted a road built. This road would connect Dover to the beautiful Lakes Region. Alton's main street today follows part of that very old road. Another important road, the Wolfeboro Road, was built in the 1700s. It helped people get to Wolfeboro on the other side of Lake Winnipesaukee.
These two old roads met at a sharp angle. Over time, this meeting point grew into the center of Alton. At first, buildings were mostly south of this spot. But in 1830, things changed. The Cocheco Hotel was built, making the area much more important. This hotel is still at the northern end of the district today.
Changes Over Time
When trains came to Alton, the town changed even more. The Wolfeboro Road was moved a bit to the north because of the new railroad. In 1893, the town decided to build its new town hall. It was designed in a style called Romanesque, which uses round arches and strong, heavy walls. This building was placed on the east side of where the Wolfeboro Road used to be. Later, the Gilman Museum was built. It has a Colonial Revival style, which means it looks like older American colonial homes.
Exploring the District Today
What You'll See
The Monument Square Historic District is bordered by the old Cocheco Hotel and Factory Street (New Hampshire Route 140) to the north. To the south, you'll find Depot and Church Streets. The triangular "square" area is mostly paved. But it also has small grassy spots. These spots have monuments that honor people from Alton who served in the military.
There are eleven buildings in this historic district. Most of them face the square. Besides the town hall, the old hotel, and the museum, there are also some homes and three business buildings. One of the most beautiful homes is the White Lodge. It was built in the 1850s and shows off the Greek Revival style. This style uses columns and other features that look like ancient Greek temples.
