Noank Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Noank Historic District
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Noank Baptist Church
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main Street, Groton, Connecticut |
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| Area | 140 acres (57 ha) |
| Built | 1840 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Gothic, Stick-Eastlake |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002656 |
| Added to NRHP | August 10, 1979 |
The Noank Historic District is a special area in the village of Noank, Connecticut that has been kept just as it was in the past. It's like a time capsule showing how people lived and worked in the mid-to-late 1800s. This district is famous for its unique homes built during that time, many with fancy wooden decorations. Back then, Noank was a busy village where many people worked in the nearby shipyards. This historic area was officially recognized and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
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Exploring the Noank Historic District
The Noank Historic District covers most of the village of Noank. This village is located on a piece of land that sticks out into the water, on the west side of the bay where the Mystic River meets the ocean. The district includes streets like Elm Street, Prospect Hill Road, and the Noank Peninsula east of Route 215.
What's Inside and Outside the District?
Not every part of Noank is in the historic district. For example, Goat Island was left out. This is because all the old buildings on Goat Island were destroyed by a huge storm, the New England Hurricane of 1938. Also, some streets near Elm Street have newer houses built much later than the historic period, so they aren't part of the district either. The streets in the district are mostly winding roads with homes, but there's a central area at Main and Pearl Streets with shops and other important buildings.
Important Buildings and Landmarks
One of the most important buildings you'll see is the Noank Baptist Church. It sits on the highest point of the peninsula. This church was built in 1867 and has an Italianate style, which was popular at the time. It used to have two tall towers, but they were also swept away by the 1938 hurricane.
The Noank Shipyard is another key spot. It's located where the historic Palmer Shipyard once stood. This shipyard was one of the main places people worked in Noank during the 1800s. There's also an interesting old building that was built in 1905 as a velvet mill. Later, the state used it as a hatchery to raise lobsters! For a while, the University of Connecticut Marine Research Station also used this building.
Other notable buildings in the district include:
- St. Joseph's Catholic Church: Located at 78 Front Street, this church has a shingled outside and cool Gothic details.
- A Gothic Methodist Church: This church features beautiful Art Nouveau windows. By 1978, it had been turned into apartments.
- A Cobblestone Episcopal Church: This building is special because it's one of the few non-wooden buildings in the community. By 1978, it was being used as a museum.
- Morgan's Point Lighthouse: Built in 1868, this lighthouse is made of strong granite blocks and has an octagonal (eight-sided) tower.
Homes of the Past
There are about 260 houses in the Noank Historic District. These homes are the main reason the district was created. Many of them show off different architectural styles like Greek Revival, Gothic, and Eastlake. Even though they have different styles, they all look like they belong together from the 1800s. This is because they share similar features like porches, fences, and decorative flat columns called pilasters.
