Washington Street Historic District (Peabody, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Washington Street Historic District
|
|
View along Washington Street
|
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Washington, Holten, and Sewall Sts., Peabody, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Area | 12.8 acres (5.2 ha) |
| Built | 1797 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002380 |
| Added to NRHP | September 12, 1985 |
The Washington Street Historic District is a special area in Peabody, Massachusetts. It's known for its beautiful 19th-century homes. Many important business and community leaders lived here. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's recognized as a place important to the history of the United States.
Contents
Exploring the Washington Street Historic District
This historic district covers parts of Washington, Holten, and Sewall Streets. It's a great place to see how people lived long ago. The area shows off different styles of homes from the 1800s.
A Look at Peabody's Past
The city of Peabody has an interesting history. It was once part of Salem. Over time, it became its own town. In 1855, it was called South Danvers. Later, in 1868, it was renamed Peabody. This was to honor a kind person named George Peabody, who gave a lot of money to help others. Peabody officially became a city in 1911.
How Washington Street Began
Washington Street was created in 1750. It was part of a new main road between Salem and Boston. This road helped people travel and send mail. At first, the street had a tavern and a few homes and small shops.
Old Homes and Buildings to See
One of the oldest houses on Washington Street is the Gen. Gideon Foster House. It was built in 1810 and is now a local museum. You can visit it to learn more about the past. Another old home is the Abel Proctor house, built around 1830. It belonged to a person who owned a tannery, a place where animal hides are made into leather.
The district also has the United Methodist Church. It was built in 1836. This church is one of the few buildings in the district that isn't a home. It was moved to Washington Street in 1843 from another part of Peabody.
What Makes the District Special?
The Washington Street Historic District has a unique look. The houses are mostly made of wood and are two or three stories tall. They are set back from the street in a similar way. This creates a neat and organized feel.
Different Styles of Homes
You can see many different architectural styles here. This is because the houses were built at various times in the 1800s. During this century, Peabody's economy grew a lot. Many homes show influences from the Greek Revival or Italianate styles. These styles were very popular during that time.
