National Register of Historic Places

Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District

Spencer, Clay County, Iowa
Listed
December 6, 2004
Type
District
Period
Modern
Ref No.
04001322

About this property

Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District is a nationally recognized historic district located in Spencer, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. At the time of its nomination the district consisted of 57 resources, including 39 contributing buildings, and 18 noncontributing buildings. The district cover's most of the city's central business district, mainly along Grand Avenue, but on some of the intersecting streets as well. In addition to commercial buildings, the district also includes the post office, a theater, and a fraternal lodge. The commercial Romanesque Revival and Neoclassical styles are dominant. The period of significance begins in 1913 when a building boom of more "modern" construction began and ends in 1935. A fire started by fireworks destroyed nearly two full blocks, and affected 70 businesses and professional offices. The architects who designed the new buildings went for a unified approach utilizing a Spanish/Mission influence. The Iowa Legislature passed a law banning the sale of fireworks throughout the state.

Location

301-605 Grand Ave., 12-18, 21 W. 5th St., 10,13,15-19 W. 4th St.
Spencer, Clay County, Iowa
43.14451, -95.14567

Categories

COMMERCECOMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Native Heritage
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Nearby Historic Sites

Spencer High School and Auditorium
Industrial
0.2 mi
Clay County Courthouse
Industrial
0.2 mi
Adams-Higgins House
Industrial
0.4 mi
Little Sioux River Bridge
Industrial
1.8 mi
Okoboji Bridge
Industrial
9.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District listed on the National Register?

Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 6, 2004.

What type of historic resource is Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District?

Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District?

The period of significance for Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District is recorded as the modern era.

Can I research the history near Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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