new historic district new historic district massachusetts united_states west community waterfront 19th century city center american industry downtown decline early mid-20th century efforts local activist groups district preserved restored appear period buildings erected builders working federal architectural styles reflect legacy city development district designated added national_register_of_historic_places later recognized local historic district protected local building oldest facility currently use independently recognized district geography district bounded street east street north west south area includes city blocks twelfth acres buildings historic modern mainly parking lots gas station newer additions paving gas lamps added historic district designated order recreate neighborhood 19th century appearance majority buildings commercial design use houses mixed use structures east district john kennedy expressway limited access highway barrier district neighboring waterfront use local supported plan redesign highway restore access waterfront spurred area original development city received million grant possible history rise center potential port seen moved recently settled area local landowner generally regarded city founder saw deep harbor receive vessels docks center american industry russell attracted area soon ships sailed city docks carried load whale oil london time revolution ships local fleet british_army burned city retaliation acts local fire destroyed ships shops homes independence city concentrated rebuilding major industry set sail american harvest oil pacific decades later war took toll industry recovered fleet years later city industry surpassed island barrels produced city prospered following years historic district built 1830s designed captains filed necessary paid duties grandson william wealthy man built mansion jones house inland built traditional spot sailors religious services departing deep oceans described classic novel begins connected growing railroad network displaced country port streets grew houses early lived decade earlier describes city height prosperity think famous town visitors place tract land day condition coast parts country look bony town place live new_england land oil true like land corn wine streets run milk spring time fresh eggs spite america find like houses parks gardens came planted country gaze iron round mansion question answered yes brave houses gardens came atlantic pacific indian oceans dragged sea alexander perform feat like fathers daughters portion piece brilliant wedding oil house night burn lengths candles summer time town sweet fine long avenues green gold august high air beautiful horse wise tapering upright art district bright flowers barren refuse rocks thrown aside creation final day national_park_service visitors center built decline historic preservation era industry peaked accounted half fleet growing competition new petroleum industry impact civil war ensured recover past rebuilt fire new exterior added tower building local courthouse center commercial activity moved west remained city dominant industry museum established old buildings ships lost sea replaced john voyage city american history old buildings torn way new construction 20th century deteriorated customs house remained use buildings neighborhood mid-1950s director came town film scene adaptation scene film actually shot city sparked resurgence tourist interest released citizens interested preserving protecting remnants city past formed whale waterfront area earliest national historic landmarks designated secretary interior years later whale succeeded getting today historic district designated city later enacted regulations preserve character thirty years later congress passed legislation creating commemorating city past included entire historic district boundaries park service chose old building visitors center whale turned neighboring built renovated fire plans educational purposes related park seat theater archival space room similar features significant contributing properties district properties notable added right designated home oldest building district federal style stone structure dates originally built home moved present location william streets stone later structure dates oldest commercial buildings district seamen white church built mentioned chapel redesigned expanded fire mechanics warren designed bank building columns facade commercial building district designed public building opened use port entry designated right old district courthouse sandstone building opened opposite corner local courthouse later shop auto parts store today serves national_park_service visitors center preservation maintains historic character district condition state historic district designation whale active applying grants raising money restore individual properties district
New Bedford Historic District