Somers Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Somers Historic District
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![]() The former Free Public Library building
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Location | Main and Battle Sts., Bugbee Lane, and Springfield Rd., Somers, Connecticut |
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Area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
Architect | Multiple |
Architectural style | Greek Revival, Colonial, Federal |
NRHP reference No. | 82004389 |
Added to NRHP | September 23, 1982 |
The Somers Historic District is a special area in Somers, Connecticut. It's like the old downtown, where many important buildings are located. You can find old houses, churches, and the town hall here. This district shows off the town's history. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's a place worth protecting because of its history.
Exploring the Somers Historic District
The Somers Historic District covers about 100 acres (40 hectares). It follows Main Street and also includes parts of Springfield Road and Battle Street. Most of the buildings are homes built in the early 1800s. They often show styles like Federal or Greek Revival architecture. You can also see some buildings from later in the 1800s.
The oldest buildings are found in a few main spots. Some are on Springfield Road near Main Street. Others are at the eastern end of Main Street. You can also find old buildings just west of where the modern town hall stands today.
What is the History of Somers?
The area that is now Somers was first settled a long time ago, in the 1600s. It was part of a larger area called Agawam Plantation. This is now Springfield, Massachusetts. Somers became its own town in 1734. Later, in 1749, it officially became part of Connecticut Colony.
For most of its history, Somers was a farming town. There was also a small mill village nearby called Somersville. The town grew by producing fruit. Later, in the 1800s, farmers grew tobacco and raised dairy cows.
Why is the Town Center Important?
The town center has always been the heart of Somers. It's where Main Street (Connecticut Route 190) meets Springfield and South Streets (Connecticut Route 83). This spot has always been the main place for town activities. Early churches and schools were built here. Over time, more important buildings were added. This helped make the town center a very important place for the community.