South Lee Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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South Lee Historic District
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Saint Francis Gallery
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1365-1710 Pleasant St., 1120-1140 Fairview St., 15-80 Willow Street, Lee, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 93 acres (38 ha) |
| Architect | Emerson, W.R.; et al. |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Early Republic |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000237 |
| Added to NRHP | February 18, 1999 |
The South Lee Historic District is a special area in the village of South Lee, Lee, Massachusetts. It's like a time capsule, showing what a mill village looked like in the 1800s. You can find beautiful old buildings from the Federal and Greek Revival styles here. There's also an old paper mill from the later 1800s. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 because of its important history. It mainly stretches along Massachusetts Route 102 (Pleasant Street).
Contents
What is the South Lee Historic District?
This historic district covers an important part of South Lee village. It runs mostly along Pleasant Street, which is also Massachusetts Route 102. The district starts near Fairview Street and goes all the way to the border with Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It's a great example of a 19th-century mill village that has been kept in good condition.
A Look at South Lee's History
How South Lee Began
The town of Lee was settled in 1760. This was a bit later than some nearby towns. Lee officially became a town in 1777. For a while, South Lee was a quiet place, not on any big roads.
Early Growth and Industry
Things changed when the Housatonic River Turnpike was built in 1806. This new road helped South Lee connect to other areas. A man named Colonel Joseph Whiton was very important in the early days. He had built the Merrell Tavern in 1794. Colonel Whiton also ran a sawmill, a forge (where metal is shaped), and a brickyard.
Because of the new roads, South Lee became a popular stop for travelers. It also grew into a center for the community. Industries started to develop here too. One of the first paper mills in the Berkshire area opened on the Housatonic River in 1806. Other businesses soon followed.
The Railroad Arrives
In 1848, the railroad came to South Lee. This brought even more growth to the village. A large paper mill was built by the Hurlbut family in 1872. This shows how important paper making was to the area.
Architecture and Buildings
What Kinds of Buildings Are There?
Most of the buildings in the South Lee Historic District are houses made of wood. However, there are three older buildings from the Federal period that are made of brick. One of these is the Merrell Tavern, which is the oldest building still standing in the village.
Popular Building Styles
The most common building styles you'll see are Federal and Greek Revival. These styles were popular in the first half of the 1800s. This shows us when the village was growing the most. The district is also home to old remains of 19th-century factories.
Images for kids
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The Henry Billings Brown House, built in 1815.
