Republican Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Republican Block
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Republican Block
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1365 Main St., Springfield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1858 |
| Architect | Chapin, A.L. |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000447 |
| Added to NRHP | January 26, 1978 |
The Republican Block is an old and important building located at 1365 Main Street in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. It was built a long time ago, in 1858. This building was special because it helped the downtown area of Springfield grow northward, away from Court Square. It was also the very first permanent home for Springfield Republican, which is one of the oldest newspapers in Massachusetts! Because of its history, the Republican Block was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it's a really important place to protect.
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Exploring the Republican Block
The Republican Block is found in the heart of downtown Springfield. It stands on the east side of Main Street, just north of Court Square. Court Square is one of the city's oldest public areas.
What Does the Building Look Like?
This building is four stories tall and made of brick. It has a special style called "Italianate." This means it looks a bit like buildings from Italy, with fancy details.
On the ground floor, there are two storefronts. These are shops that face the street. In the middle, there is a main entrance to the building. The second floor has a row of arched windows. Above these windows, you can see a decorative border called a "dentillated cornice."
The third and fourth floors also have windows. Some are single, and some are in pairs. They are set under arches that are either rounded or slightly pointed. The very top of the building has a decorative, projecting ledge. This ledge is supported by brackets, which are like small supports.
A Newspaper's First Home
The Republican Block was built in 1858 for The Republican newspaper. This newspaper had started much earlier, in 1824. The Republican newspaper used this building as its home until 1867. It is the only remaining sign of when Samuel Bowles owned the newspaper. He was the person who founded it.
After the newspaper moved out, a clothing store bought the building. This was D. H. Brigham, a clothing retailer. Brigham made the building much bigger by adding more space to the back. He ran a clothing factory and a shop inside the building. This business stayed open until 1969.
Who Designed This Building?
It is believed that A. L. Chapin designed the Republican Block. He was a well-known architect in Springfield at that time. He designed many important buildings on Main Street during that period.
