Produce Exchange Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Produce Exchange Building
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Produce Exchange Building
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 194-206 Chestnut St., 115-125 Lyman St., Springfield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1899 |
| MPS | Downtown Springfield MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000761 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1983 |
The Produce Exchange Building is a really old and important building in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1899. Later, in 1926, it got a big makeover. For many years, this building was a busy place where people bought and sold fruits and vegetables in large amounts. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This list helps protect important places in the United States.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Produce Exchange Building is in the northern part of downtown Springfield. It's right near the main railroad tracks, across Lyman Street. It also sits at the corner of Chestnut Street.
Building Shape and Materials
The building has an L-shape and is made of strong brick. It has cool decorations made from terra cotta, which is a type of baked clay. It has four floors.
Street Views
The building has many windows and sections facing both Chestnut Street and Lyman Street. There's a special corner entrance that faces both streets.
- Chestnut Street Side: This side has five shops on the ground floor. Each shop has doors that are set back a bit and big display windows. Stone columns separate these shops. Above them, there's a decorative band and a ledge.
- Lyman Street Side: Most of the shop areas on this side are now covered with bricks. They also have stone columns separating them.
Upper Floors
The upper floors have different kinds of windows. Some are simple sash windows, and others are large, three-part windows. Near the very top of the building, there's another decorated band and a simple ledge.
A Look Back in Time
The Produce Exchange Building has an interesting past. It played a big role in Springfield's food supply for many years.
When It Was Built
The building was first built in 1899. A person named Andrew Whitney was in charge of building it.
A Hub for Produce
Starting in 1908, the building became the main place for wholesale produce in the city. This means it was where farmers and suppliers brought their fruits and vegetables to sell in large quantities to stores and restaurants. It stayed a busy market for a long time.
Big Changes in 1926
In 1926, the building got a major update. This included changing how the outside looked. The new look from that time is mostly what you see today. This building is one of the biggest commercial buildings from that time period in Springfield.
