Summer Street Historic District (Adams, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Summer Street Historic District
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30 Summer Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Crandall, Center, East, Liberty, Orchard and Summer Streets, Adams, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 27 acres (11 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Late Victorian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002009 |
| Added to NRHP | September 5, 1985 |
The Summer Street Historic District is a special neighborhood in Adams, Massachusetts. It's known for its beautiful old homes built in the 1800s. This area includes Summer Street and parts of Center and Orchard Streets. You can see many different styles of houses here, like Greek Revival, Late Victorian, and Federal style. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 because of its importance.
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Exploring the Summer Street District
The Summer Street Historic District is a cool place to explore. It covers a block of Summer Street. This block goes from Randall Street in the north to where Center, Orchard, and Crandall Streets meet in the south. The district also includes some buildings on these other streets.
What You'll See Here
There are 75 historic buildings in the district. Most of them are single-family homes made of wood. You will also find two church buildings. One of these churches is now used as a Masonic lodge. These two buildings face each other across Center Street. There are also some multi-unit rowhouses from the early 1900s. The streets are usually lined with trees. The houses are set back a bit from the road.
Famous Buildings in the District
Some buildings are great examples of different styles. For instance, 72 Center Street is a Greek Revival house from around 1840. This style often looks like ancient Greek temples. Another amazing building is 4 Orchard Street. It was built in 1870 and shows off the detailed Second Empire style.
History of Adams and Summer Street
The town of Adams was first settled by colonists in 1762. It officially became a town in 1778. Later, in 1878, the northern part of Adams became its own town called North Adams.
How Summer Street Grew
Early settlers lived on the east side of the Hoosac River. This area was along the main stagecoach route. Over time, factories and businesses grew along the river. Summer Street is a bit higher up and runs next to the river. It became a popular place for rich merchants and business owners to live.
Building Boom in the 1800s
As Adams became more industrial in the 1830s and 1840s, many beautiful Greek Revival houses were built on Summer Street. Then, in the late 1800s, the area grew again. Lots of Victorian homes were added, making the neighborhood even more interesting.
