Smith Carriage Company District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Smith Carriage Company District
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Park Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Springfield, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1880 |
| MPS | Downtown Springfield MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000763 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1983 |
The Smith Carriage Company District includes three important buildings in Springfield, Massachusetts. These buildings are on Park Street, between Main and Willow Streets. They are known for their connection to the Smith Carriage Company. This company was a big maker of carriages in the 1800s. The area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it is a special place in American history.
Contents
The Smith Carriage Company Story
How the Company Started
The Smith Carriage Company began in 1827. It was started by David Smith. He learned how to make carriages in Westfield. His company was good at making carriages with light frames. They also sold carriages made by other companies.
From Carriages to Cars
In the early 1900s, the company helped the Stevens-Duryea Company. They provided a part for one of its first automobiles. This was a big change! In the 1910s and 1920s, the Smith Carriage Company started making car parts. They kept making car parts until they closed in the 1940s.
Exploring the Historic Buildings
What the Buildings Look Like
The three buildings on Park Street were built later in the company's history. The oldest one is 12 Park Street. It is a three-story building made of brick. It was built in the late 1800s. It looks like other factories from that time. It has arched windows and decorative brickwork.
Modern Changes for Car Parts
The other two buildings are different. They have strong frames made of steel and concrete. They are covered in brick and have concrete ground floors. These buildings are two to four stories tall. They have large factory windows. These buildings were made to help the company produce car parts.
