The Downtown Norwich Historic District is an historic district located in Norwich, Connecticut, United States. The district covers an area of 64 acres and was established in 1985. It includes 115 contributing buildings and one other contributing structure. Some of the buildings within the district are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Norwich Town Hall, Telephone Exchange Building, and Carroll Building. The district is home to many 18th and 19th-century buildings, with the oldest surviving commercial building dating to 1742 and the oldest house to 1745.
The downtown area was settled by English colonists in the 17th century and grew rapidly as a shipping port. It developed along Main Street, which runs east to west, as a linear area north of the main port area. A major fire in 1793 prompted a shift to brick construction, but growth was limited due to economic difficulties caused by the War of 1812. Today, the downtown area is a beautiful and charming place to visit, with many intact 18th and 19th-century buildings centered around the picturesque harbor.
The city's economy has since diversified to include various industries such as banking, textiles, and other water-powered industries.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Friendly Jane
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