Original Main Street Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Original Main Street Historic District
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Part of the Original Main Street in downtown Sauk Centre
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main Street between S. 8th and N. 3rd Streets, Sauk Centre, Minnesota |
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| Area | 45 acres (18 ha) |
| Built | 1920–1947 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000758 |
| Added to NRHP | August 5, 1994 |
The Original Main Street Historic District is a special part of downtown Sauk Centre, Minnesota. It stretches for ten blocks along Main Street. This street is famous because it inspired the 1920 novel Main Street by Sinclair Lewis. He was a writer who grew up in Sauk Centre. His book helped create the idea of "Main Street" as a symbol for small towns across America.
This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States. It's recognized for its role in American social history. It's especially known for its strong connection to Lewis's bestselling novel.
What Makes Main Street Special?
When the district became a historic place, it included 90 "contributing properties." These are buildings and features that help tell the story of the area. They show what the street was like between 1920 and 1947.
Buildings and Features
The Main Street itself is part of this district. It is about 82.5 feet (25.1 meters) wide. You can find many different kinds of buildings here.
- Shops and Businesses: There are many commercial buildings. These were once stores, offices, and other businesses.
- Community Buildings: You can also see civic buildings. These are places like town halls or community centers.
- Homes: Some houses are also part of the district. They show how people lived in the area.
- Parks: There are parks where people could relax.
- Bridge and Dam: A bridge and a dam on the Sauk River are also included. These show how the town used its natural surroundings.
All these parts together help preserve the look and feel of the Main Street that inspired Sinclair Lewis.
