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Rockland Residential Historic District
Knox County Courthouse, Rockland, Maine.jpg
Rockland Residential Historic District is located in Maine
Rockland Residential Historic District
Location in Maine
Rockland Residential Historic District is located in the United States
Rockland Residential Historic District
Location in the United States
Location Roughly bounded by Granite, Union, Masonic, Broad, Limerock, and Broadway Sts., Rockland, Maine
Area 54 acres (22 ha)
Built 1840 (1840)
Architect Bryant & Rogers; Et al.
Architectural style Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Italianate
NRHP reference No. 86003513
Added to NRHP April 15, 1987

The Rockland Residential Historic District is a special area in Rockland, Maine. It is mostly filled with homes located just west of the city's main downtown area. This district has a long history, going back to the early 1700s.

You can find many beautiful old houses here, especially ones built between 1870 and 1920. There are also some impressive public buildings. This important area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

What is the Rockland Historic District?

This historic district is a neighborhood with many interesting buildings. It shows how Rockland grew over time. The homes here tell a story about the city's past.

Where is the Historic District Located?

The Rockland Residential Historic District is bordered by several streets. Union Street is to the east, and it's next to the city's main shopping area. Talbot Avenue is to the north. Masonic, Broad, and Limerock Streets are to the south. Broadway is to the west.

What Kind of Buildings Can You See?

Many of the houses in the district were built before the American Civil War. These often show the Greek Revival style, which looks like ancient Greek temples.

After the mid-1870s, the area saw a big building boom. Many homes from this time are in the Second Empire and Italianate styles. Later, even more homes were built in the Queen Anne style, known for its towers and decorative details.

Important public buildings in the district include the Knox County Courthouse and the Rockland Public Library.

How Did Rockland Grow?

The area that is now Rockland was first settled in the late 1700s. It was part of a larger town called Thomaston.

Shipbuilding and Lime Industry

Rockland's harbor was perfect for building ships. Also, the area had a lot of limestone. This led to a big industry where people burned limestone to make lime. Kilns, which are special ovens, lined parts of the shore for this work.

Becoming a City

The area was first called East Thomaston in 1848. Then, in 1854, it became its own city, renamed Rockland. The city's main business area grew near the waterfront. The area just west of downtown then became a popular place for people to build their homes.

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