Salem–Auburn Streets Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Salem–Auburn Streets Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Salem and Auburn Streets, Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Georgian, Federal |
| MPS | Cambridge MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001975 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1982 |
The Salem–Auburn Streets Historic District is a special area in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It's a collection of old houses on Salem and Auburn Streets. These homes are some of the oldest in the Cambridgeport part of the city. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's recognized as an important place in American history.
Exploring the Historic District
This historic district covers two short streets: Salem Street and a part of Auburn Street. These streets are located in the heart of the Cambridgeport neighborhood. This area is surrounded by River Street, Massachusetts Avenue, the Charles River, and the Grand Junction Railroad tracks. Auburn Street runs across the neighborhood, parallel to Massachusetts Avenue. Salem Street is a short block that connects Auburn Street to Watson Street. The district includes most of the buildings on these two blocks.
A Look Back at Cambridgeport
At the start of the 1800s, Cambridgeport was a small village with narrow streets. The area didn't really grow much until the middle of the 19th century. The houses you see along Salem Street and this part of Auburn Street were all built between about 1800 and 1845. This was before the bigger development happened. These homes are the largest group of houses from that time period that are still standing today.
Architectural Styles of the Homes
There are ten houses in the district that are historically important. They show different building styles from the past. These include simpler versions of Late Georgian, Federal period, and Greek Revival architecture. One very special house is at 15 Salem Street. It's a two-story brick house built in the Federal style, which is quite rare for the area.
