Thomaston Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Thomaston Historic District
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Thomaston Academy
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 Location in Maine
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| Location | Runs through Blue Star Memorial Hwy. (US 1) between Wadsworth St. and ME 131, Thomaston, Maine |
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| Area | 125 acres (51 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th-Century Revival, Italianate, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000176 |
| Added to NRHP | May 2, 1974 |
The Thomaston Historic District is a special area in Thomaston, Maine. It includes many old and important buildings in the town center. This area shows off many building styles from the 1800s, especially up to the 1870s. People first settled here in the 1600s. The district stretches for about 2 miles (3.2 km) along United States Route 1. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Contents
Exploring Thomaston's Historic Heart
The town of Thomaston is located near Muscongus Bay. It is also right next to where the Saint George River flows into the bay. This area is part of Maine's Mid Coast.
Early Days and Settlement
Europeans first explored this region in the early 1600s. A trading post for Native Americans was set up here in 1630. However, many people did not start settling here until the 1730s. This was because of conflicts with the native people. Thomaston officially became a town in 1777.
Growing Industries and Key Figures
From early on, making lime was a very important business. Lime is a material used in building. Other important jobs included cutting wood (lumbering) and building ships. These industries helped the town grow a lot. A famous person named General Henry Knox also helped Thomaston grow. He was an important leader during the American Revolutionary War.
What You'll See in the District
The historic district mainly follows United States Route 1. It runs between Kossuth Street and Maine State Route 131. It also includes Knox Street, which goes south from US 1 to the harbor.
General Knox's Home
At the eastern end of the district, you can find a building that looks like General Knox's old mansion. The original mansion was taken down in the 1860s because it was falling apart. The building you see today was built in 1929 to look like the original.
Old Buildings and Homes
Many of the brick buildings on Main Street were built in the late 1800s. However, one of them is even older, from the 1850s. The houses along the streets are beautiful examples of old building styles. These include the Federal style and the Greek Revival style.
Historic Churches
The Baptist church in Thomaston was built in 1828. It was updated in the 1870s with a late Victorian look. The Episcopal church was built between 1868 and 1869. It is a great example of wooden Gothic Revival style. This style reminds people of designs by Richard Upjohn. However, this church was actually designed by Portland architect Francis H. Fassett.
