North Attleborough Town Center Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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North Attleborough Town Center Historic District
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South Washington Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | North Attleborough, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1780 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Mixed (more Than 2 Styles From Different Periods) |
| NRHP reference No. | 85003168 |
| Added to NRHP | December 20, 1985 |
The North Attleborough Town Center Historic District is a special area in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. It holds many of the town's oldest and most important buildings. This district was created between 1860 and 1930. It became a busy center for the community. It also supported the jewelry making businesses that North Attleborough was famous for.
This historic area stretches along Washington Street. It runs between Fisher Street and Bruce Avenue. In 1985, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a place important to the history of the United States.
Contents
History of North Attleborough
North Attleborough was first settled a long time ago, in the 1600s. It became part of a larger town called Attleboro in 1694. Later, in 1887, North Attleborough became its own separate town.
The Rise of Jewelry Making
By the time North Attleborough became its own town, it was already well-known for making jewelry. This business started around the 1800s. Most of the jewelry factories were located near the town center. They were often built along the Ten Mile River and its smaller streams.
How the Town Center Grew
The very first town center for Attleboro was a few miles south of where North Attleborough's center is today. As industries grew, the current town center began to take shape in the mid-1800s.
Some old houses still stand in the area. The oldest one dates back to about 1780. These homes remind us that the area was once farmland. By the 1860s, many commercial buildings were built. Some of these are still standing today.
The town grew even faster when a railroad line arrived in 1870. After becoming a separate town in 1887, North Attleborough built its own library. This beautiful building was finished in 1895. It was designed by a Boston architect named William Herbert McLean.
Exploring the Historic District
The historic district mainly follows North and South Washington Streets. It goes from Fisher Street in the north to Bruce Avenue in the south.
Buildings and Architecture
The central part of the district has many brick commercial buildings. Most of these were built between 1890 and 1930. They are usually one to four stories tall.
The district also includes the Grace Episcopal Church. This church was built in 1930. It is a stone building designed in the Gothic Revival style. It was built after the previous church was destroyed by a fire.
Notable Homes
One of the most important homes in the district is at its northern end. It is called the Loeb Estate. This large house is a Tudor Revival mansion. It was built by James Munroe, a local builder. He also built many of the commercial buildings in the district.
