Windber Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Windber Historic District
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Borough building in Windber, HABS photo, 1988
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by the borough line, Cambria Ave., 28th St. and the Big Paint Cr., Paint Borough, Scalp Level and Windber, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 299 acres (121 ha) |
| Built | 1897 |
| Architect | Berwind-White Coal Mining Co. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, Vernacular worker housing |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001705 |
| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1991 |
The Windber Historic District is a special area in Pennsylvania. It includes parts of Paint Borough, Scalp Level, and Windber. This district is important because it shows how towns were built for coal miners long ago. It was created by the Berwind-White Coal Company starting in 1897.
Contents
Discovering Windber's Historic Past
This historic district covers a large area. It has 944 important buildings and one special site. These places were mostly built between 1897 and 1930. They tell the story of a town created for the coal industry. The district includes the main shopping area of Windber. It also has many homes where workers lived.
A Town Built for Coal Miners
The Berwind-White Coal Company started building Windber in 1897. They needed a place for their coal miners to live and work. The company planned the town carefully. They built homes, stores, and other important buildings. This helped the town grow quickly.
Homes and Businesses in the District
The Windber Historic District shows different types of buildings. Many homes were built for the workers. These homes are called "vernacular worker housing." This means they were built in a simple, practical style. The district also has buildings in the Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles. These styles were popular at the time.
Important Buildings to See
Many buildings in the district are very old and special. Here are a few examples:
- The Berwind-White Headquarters Building was built in 1903. This was the main office for the coal company.
- The Eureka Department Store opened in 1899. It was a big store where people could buy many things.
- The Windber Trust Company building is from 1910. It was a bank for the town.
- The Arcadia Theater was built in 1919. It was a place for entertainment, like movies.
- The David Shaffer House was built in 1886. Today, it is the Windber Museum.
Becoming a Historic Place
The Windber Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in the United States. This listing helps protect the district's unique history and buildings for the future.
