Washington Downtown Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Washington Downtown Historic District
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 11 blocks of Iowa & Marion Aves., Washington, Main & 2nd Sts., Washington, Iowa |
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| Area | 32 acres (13 ha) |
| Architect | Foster & Liebbe |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian Late 19th & 20th century Revivals |
| MPS | Iowa's Main Street Commercial Architecture MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000297 |
| Added to NRHP | May 22, 2013 |
The Washington Downtown Historic District is a special area in Washington, Iowa, that is recognized across the country for its history. It's like a preserved snapshot of what the town looked like long ago! This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013, which means it's considered very important to American history.
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What is the Washington Historic District?
This historic district covers the main part of Washington, Iowa, where many businesses and important buildings are located. When it was added to the National Register, it included 83 important buildings and two special objects. It also had one important site.
The district is located in the very first plan of the town. It covers the city's main business area. Washington was first planned in 1839. It was chosen as the main town for Washington County.
History of Washington's Downtown
The oldest part of the district is Central Park. This park was planned at the same time as the town in 1839. It is considered an important historical site.
Central Park also holds two important objects. One is a monument built in 1931 to remember the Civil War. The other is a fountain from 1939.
The Washington County Courthouse was once located in Central Park. It was there from 1845 to 1869. Then, it moved to its current spot, just one block away. The courthouse building is also considered an important part of the district's history.
The very oldest buildings still standing in the district date back to the 1850s. These buildings replaced even older wooden or log structures.
Buildings and Landmarks You'll See
The district has many different kinds of buildings. You can find government buildings, like the courthouse. There are also shops and businesses. You might see buildings that once housed clubs or churches.
Some buildings were used as warehouses. Others were for car services or utility companies. There were even theaters and a newspaper office.
Important government buildings include the courthouse and the county jail. The sheriff's home was also here. The post office and the public library (both old and new buildings) are also part of the district.
What Makes This Area Special?
The important historical period for this district starts in 1839. That's when the town was first planned. It goes up to 1966, when the jail and sheriff's home were built.
When the railroad came to Washington, it brought new growth. Many new buildings were constructed. Older buildings were also updated. This happened a lot in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Cars became very important starting in the 1920s. This also changed the downtown area. The 1950s and 1960s were another time of growth and new construction.
Many buildings show styles from the late 1800s and early 1900s. These include "revival" styles, which brought back older designs. You'll also see different styles from the Late Victorian era. These styles make the district unique.
