Osage Commercial Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Osage Commercial Historic District
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 700, 600, and parts of the 500 blocks of Main St. Osage, Iowa |
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| Area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Architectural style | Italianate Queen Anne |
| MPS | Iowa's Main Street Commercial Architecture MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001030 |
| Added to NRHP | September 12, 2002 |
The Osage Commercial Historic District is a special area in Osage, Iowa, United States. It's recognized across the country for its important history. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
This means the buildings here are protected because they show us what life was like in the past. The district includes many old buildings that tell the story of Osage's downtown area.
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is like a special neighborhood. It has buildings, structures, or other features that are important to history. These areas are kept safe so future generations can learn from them.
The Osage Commercial Historic District covers most of the city's main business area. It's a great example of how towns grew in the past.
How Osage Started
The city of Osage began when four pioneers claimed land. These people were Hiram Hart, Dr. A.H. Moore, O.E. Tripp, and B.C. Whitaker. They came from states further east in the United States.
The city was named after Orrin Sage. He was a banker from Massachusetts. He helped invest in the land that became Osage.
At first, Osage grew to the east of where the historic district is now. But things changed in the late 1860s. The Illinois Central Railroad tracks were built, and the Mitchell County Courthouse was placed nearby. This made the town grow more to the west, right where the historic district is today.
Buildings and Styles
The Osage Commercial Historic District has many different kinds of buildings. You can find old shops, movie theaters, and places where groups like clubs used to meet. There are also offices, a cafe, a library, and even old car-related businesses.
Most of these buildings are made of brick or stone. They range from one to three stories tall. The oldest buildings in the district were built between 1865 and 1952.
Many buildings were constructed in the 1870s and 1880s. This was a time when Osage was growing very fast economically. Some other important buildings were built in the 1910s and 1920s.
Architectural Styles
The buildings in the district show off two main architectural styles. These are the Italianate style and the Queen Anne style.
- Italianate style: This style often has tall, narrow windows. It also features decorative brackets under the roofline.
- Queen Anne style: Buildings in this style often have towers, turrets, and different textures. They might use various colors and patterns.
These buildings line both sides of Main Street. This street has been the heart of Osage for a very long time.
