Newport Downtown Historic District (New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Newport Downtown Historic District
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Main Street view
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St. roughly bounded by Depot, Sunapee, Central and West Sts., Newport, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 6.5 acres (2.6 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001201 |
| Added to NRHP | June 6, 1985 |
The Newport Downtown Historic District is a special area in Newport, New Hampshire. It's like the historic heart of the town! This district includes many old buildings from the 1800s. You'll find important shops and town buildings along Main Street here.
Newport is the main town, or county seat, for Sullivan County. The historic district stretches along Main Street. It goes from Depot Street to the Sugar River. This important area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's officially recognized for its history.
Exploring Newport's Main Street
Newport was first settled way back in 1765. But the downtown area we see today started growing later. This happened when the Croydon Turnpike was built. A turnpike was an old toll road, and it followed what is now Main Street. Soon, many businesses opened up to serve travelers.
Oldest Buildings and Town Growth
The oldest shop building in the district is the Eagle Block. It's located at 64 Main Street. This building was constructed between 1825 and 1826. It's a three-story brick building. Its style is called Federal-style architecture.
Newport became even more important in 1826. That's when Sullivan County was created. It was separated from Cheshire County. Because of this, new government buildings were needed. These included a records office and a jail. The first courthouse was also built. All these buildings were made of brick in the Federal style. They are on the east side of Main Street. The old courthouse is now used for other things. It sits on a hill, set back from the street.
Main Street's Unique Sides
The west side of Main Street became the main area for shops. Most of these buildings were built before 1930. At one end, you'll find a modern state liquor store. At the other end is an old diner from around 1930. This diner was made by the Worcester Lunch Car Company. It sits right next to the historic Eagle Block.
The east side of Main Street has a different feel. The most important building there is the Newport Opera House. This building was designed by Hira R. Beckwith. It was meant to be both the courthouse and the town hall. It replaced an older building that burned down in a big fire in 1872. Today, the Opera House is mostly used for shows and performances. The town offices are now on Sunapee Street, just outside the district.
Another interesting building on the east side is the Isaac Reed House. This was one of the last homes built in this area. It's a great example of Italianate and Second Empire building styles. These styles have unique decorative features.
