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Valparaiso Downtown Commercial District | |
Franklin east of Courthouse | |
Location | Roughly bounded by Jefferson, Morgan, Indiana, and Napoleon, Valparaiso, Indiana |
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Coordinates | 41°28′3″N87°3′36″W / 41.46750°N 87.06000°W Coordinates: 41°28′3″N87°3′36″W / 41.46750°N 87.06000°W |
Area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
Architect | Multiple |
Architectural style | Italianate, Commercial Style |
NRHP reference No. | 90000327 [1] |
Added to NRHP | February 23, 1990 |
Valparaiso has retained an active downtown. It remains a mix of government, retail and business center, with a mixed residential and service area (retail and restaurants). Numerous economic changes have not changed the basic character, historic courthouse area. The historic district retains the distinctive turn-of-the-19th-century architecture, supporting numerous small specialty shops, shaded sidewalks, and a people friendly environment. [2] The Downtown District, is anchored on the Porter County Courthouse. It includes 14-blocks surrounding the square, bounded on the north by Jefferson Street, on the east by Morgan Street, on the south by Monroe Street, and on the west by Napoleon Street. [2] [3]
The Portersville Land Company platted the town of Portersville in 1836. [4] The next year, the town was renamed in honor of Commodore David Porter’s last battle outside the Chilean port of Valparaiso. The County had been named in honor of Commodore Porter. The first building were constructed near the Morgan Street bridge (corner of Morgan Street and Lincolnway). The town did not begin to grow until 1850, when the first railroad was completed through town. [4] The first courthouse was completed in 1837. This frame structure was replaced in 1852, and again in 1885 with a limestone structure. The current courthouse is the 1885 structure, restored after the 1934 fire, which destroyed the distinctive clock tower. [4] The county jail was located on Mechanic Street (Indiana Street today). The log building was replaced in 1871 with a modern limestone building. It was attached to the Sheriff’s residence, which had been built 11 years earlier. [4] Public programs were held in the Grand Opera House when it opened in 1874. Originally known as the Fiske Opera House, it was the first public space in Valparaiso. The first floor was retail space and the second floor could hold up to 700 people. [4] In 1893 the Memorial Hall was built to honor Civil War Veterans and could hold an audience of 1,000. [4]
All structures are historically contributing towards the Historic District Status, unless otherwise noted. An ‘O’ rating signifies that the structure had enough historic or architectural significance to be considered for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The ‘N’ rating signifies that the structure is above average and may, with further investigation be eligible for an individual listing. The ‘C’ or contributing rating signifies that the structure meet the basic inventory qualifications, but fails to meet individual merit, but in combination with other closely placed similar structures warrants inclusion in an historic district. [4]
Valparaiso, colloquially Valpo, is a city and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census.
The Greensburg Downtown Historic District of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, is bounded approximately by Tunnel Street, Main Street, Third Street, and Harrison Avenue. It consists of 62 buildings on 21.8 acres (8.8 ha), with the most notable buildings from the years 1872-1930. The district's oldest structure (1872) is the former Masonic Temple at 132 South Main Street. The Academy Hill Historic District is directly to the north of downtown Greensburg.
The Rochester Downtown Historic District is a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in Rochester, Indiana, United States. It was placed on the Register on June 24, 2008. The majority of buildings in the area are masonry and Italianate while structures outside the district are largely residential frame built structures.
The Loring Residence and Clinic was the first facility built to provide medical services to Valparaiso, Indiana. The residence has continued to provide for public service through its current use by the Valparaiso Woman's Club. Dr Loring used his home as his medical office until his death in 1914. It was Loring's initial efforts that brought medical care to the county and provided for the first hospital. Although private, it became the county's first public hospital when Loring sold the building in 1906 to build his home and clinic.
The Porter County Museum is located inside the former Porter County Jail & Sheriff's Residence, southeast of the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso, Indiana.
The Warsaw Courthouse Square Historic District is a historic district in Warsaw, Indiana that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Its boundaries were increased in 1993.
Crown Point Courthouse Square Historic District is a historic district in Crown Point, Indiana, that dates back to 1873. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Its boundaries were changed in 2005, and it was increased in 2007 to include a Moderne architecture building at 208 Main Street. The late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century commercial and public buildings represent a period of economic and political growth. The Lake County Courthouse stands in the center of the district. Designed by architect John C. Cochrane in 1878, this brick building is a combination of Romanesque Revival and Classical styles. Enlarged in 1909 with the addition of north and south wings, designed by Beers and Beers. Continued growth in the county required second enlargement in 1928. This local landmark was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The Downtown Adrian Commercial Historic District is a historic district comprising the downtown area of Adrian, Michigan. It was designated as a Michigan Historic Site and added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 17, 1986. The district is roughly bounded on the north by Toledo Street, on the east by North Broad Street, on the south by East Church Street, and on the west by North Winter Street (M-52), West Maumee Street, and the River Raisin. Most of the district is enclosed by the US-223 Business Route, although the two are not conterminous.
The Hartford City Courthouse Square Historic District is located in Hartford City, Indiana. Hartford City has a population of about 7,000 and is the county seat of Blackford County and the site of the county courthouse. The National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior added the Hartford City Courthouse Square Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places on June 21, 2006 — meaning the buildings and objects that contribute to the continuity of the district are worthy of preservation because of their historical and architectural significance. The District has over 60 resources, including over 40 contributing buildings, over 10 non-contributing buildings, 1 contributing object, 8 non-contributing objects, and two other buildings that are listed separately in the National Register.
The Delphi Courthouse Square Historic District in Delphi, Indiana is a 23-acre (9.3 ha) area roughly bounded by Monroe, Main, Market and Indiana Streets. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. It includes Italianate architecture and Classical Revival architecture and work by Elmer Dunlap among its 31 contributing buildings.
The Meigs County Courthouse is a local government building in Pomeroy, Ohio, United States. Built in the 1840s in this Ohio River village, it serves as the seat of government for Meigs County, and it is one of Ohio's oldest courthouses still used for its original purpose.
The William B. McCallum House, built in 1887, is an Italianate Style house contains many of the basic elements of Italianate design, including brick masonry, deep eves, thick cornice features of wood and protruding flattened arch brick window lintels and a two-story bay window.
Charles F. Lembke was an American architect and contractor who was prominent in Valparaiso, Indiana. Lembke built many downtown Valparaiso-area buildings, such as the Memorial Opera House, Carnegie public Library, Hotel Lembke, and several local schools.
The Washington Street Historic District is north of Valparaiso's downtown. The neighborhood has tree-lined streets with many examples of late nineteenth and early twentieth century houses and public buildings. Valparaiso began to expand after the railroads came through the township in the 1860s; Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad and the Grand Trunk Railroad. Residential neighborhoods grew up between the business district and the railroads. On Valparaiso's south side industrial and transportation area expanded, thus residential development was north of downtown.
Downtown LaPorte Historic District is a national historic district located at LaPorte, LaPorte County, Indiana. The district encompasses 70 contributing buildings in the central business district of LaPorte. It developed between about 1860 and 1930, and includes examples of Queen Anne, Romanesque Revival, and Neoclassical style architecture. Notable buildings include the Zahrt Blocks, Ridgway Hotel (1863), Higday and Collins Blocks (1886–1888), LaPorte County Courthouse (1890–1894), Odd Fellows Building (1895), Lonn's Block (1889), People's Bank (1912), U.S. Post Office (1912), New York Central Depot (1909), Masonic Temple (1910), and Hotel Rumely (1912).
Argos Downtown Historic District is a national historic district located at Argos, Marshall County, Indiana. The district encompasses 21 contributing buildings in the central business district of Argos. It developed between about 1867 and 1942, and includes examples of Italianate, Romanesque Revival, and Neoclassical style architecture. Notable buildings include the Reed Block (1891), Williams Inn (1838), IOOF #263 Hall (1901-1907), Corner Hardware Building (1883), Argos Reflector Building / GAR Hall, Argos Theater, Sarber Building (1892-1898), Old Argos Opera House / Huff Block (1887-1892), Pickerl Block, Argos Municipal Building (1940), Farmers State Bank Block (1917), Argos Masonic Lodge #399 / Grossman Building (1906), Schoonover Building, and Pickerl Residence.
Plymouth Downtown Historic District is a national historic district located in Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana, United States. The district encompasses 47 contributing buildings and one contributing structure in the central business district of Plymouth. It developed between about 1870 and 1940, and includes examples of Italianate, Romanesque Revival, and Colonial Revival style architecture. Located in the district is the separately listed Plymouth Fire Station. Other notable buildings include the Montgomery Ward Building (1929), Metsker Block, Rentschler Building (1910), Early Plymouth Post Office (1884), First National Bank-Plymouth City Hall, Packard Bank Block (1879), Simons Building (1895), Wheeler Block, Bank Block, Bank Block-Masonic Temple (1901), Plymouth Post Office (1935), and Plymouth Motor Sales (1929).
Plymouth Northside Historic District is a national historic district located at Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana. The district encompasses 141 contributing buildings, 2 contributing sites, 6 contributing structures, and 3 contributing objects in a predominantly residential section of Plymouth. It developed between about 1870 and 1940, and includes examples of Italianate, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Neoclassical, and Renaissance Revival style architecture. Located in the district is the separately listed Marshall County Courthouse. Other notable contributing resources include Magnetic Park, First United Methodist Church (1914-1915), J.C. Capron House (1900), Samuel Schlosser House (1910-1911), Clay Metsker House (1917-1918), Plymouth Church of the Brethren (1950-1951), Logan-Stanley Fountain, Stevens House (1895), and First Presbyterian Church (1896-1897).
The Howell Downtown Historic District is a primarily commercial historic district located along five blocks of Grand River Avenue in the center of Howell, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The Downtown Commercial District in Lexington, Kentucky, includes 70 contributing properties, some dating from the early 19th century. Most sites are commercial buildings, but the district also features a courthouse, two monuments, a camel sculpture, a drinking fountain, and a clock. Various architectural styles are represented, including Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Victorian, Queen Anne, Richardsonian Romanesque, Beaux Arts, and Modern. Architects include Gideon Shryock, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, H.L. Rowe, Frankel & Curtis, and McKim, Mead & White. Also included within the district are 17 noncontributing properties. The Downtown Commercial District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.