Town Center Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Town Center Historic District
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The Baptist church
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main and Hilldale Aves. and Jewell St., South Hampton, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 418.2 acres (169.2 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mixed (more Than 2 Styles From Different Periods) |
| MPS | South Hampton MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001150 |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1983 |
The Town Center Historic District is a special area in South Hampton, New Hampshire. It includes the old village center, which has many historic buildings. This district is built around Barnard Green, the town's common area. You can find it along New Hampshire Route 107A. The district shows how the town has grown and changed over many years. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Contents
Exploring South Hampton's Historic Center
The heart of South Hampton is Barnard Green. This is a long, open space shaped like a rectangle. It sits on the southwest side of New Hampshire Route 107A. This road was once a main path between Kingston, New Hampshire, and Newburyport, Massachusetts.
What Makes the District Special?
The historic district stretches along Main Avenue. It goes south to the Massachusetts state line. It also extends north to the Nettle Hiller House. You can also find historic spots along Hilldale Avenue. This area has many important public buildings.
Key Buildings and Their Styles
Many civic buildings here look like they were built in the Greek Revival style. This style was popular in the 1830s. These buildings include the town hall, the Baptist church, and the Barnard School. They all share a similar look from that time period.
Homes and History in the District
Many homes in the area were built in the early 1900s. This is because a big fire in 1912 destroyed many houses. These older homes were facing the common. However, you can still find some houses from the 1700s and early 1800s.
Oldest Homes and Landmarks
At the south end of the district is the Kiely House. This brick house is in the Georgian style. It stands on Main Avenue, just north of the Massachusetts border. A bit further north is the Ordway House, built around 1720. It's the only Georgian saltbox house left in town.
Before you reach the green, you'll pass a Federal-style house from the 1820s. This building used to be a tavern. It served travelers who came by stagecoach.
The Fire of 1912
The public buildings are grouped around the eastern end of the common. The Greek Revival Baptist church, built around 1832, faces Jewell Street. North of this area is where the "Hilltop Fire" happened in 1912. Nine old buildings were destroyed then. Now, this area has homes built in the Colonial Revival style. These newer homes fit in well with the other houses in the district.
