National Register of Historic Places

Wilton Commercial Historic District

Wilton, Muscatine County, Iowa
Listed
September 11, 2016
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
16000606

About this property

The Wilton Commercial Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located in Wilton, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. At the time of its nomination it consisted of 47 resources, which included 32 contributing buildings, one contributing structure and 14 non-contributing buildings. Wilton got its start when the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad, later the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, was surveyed through this area in 1853. It was named for Wilton, Maine, the hometown of one of the founders. This historic district covers the town's central business district. The buildings were built between 1856 and 1966. Most are attached, two stories tall, a single storefront wide, with exteriors composed of brick. There are a few wood-frame buildings. The buildings on the edges of the district are generally detached. Architecturally, the buildings tend to favor the vernacular forms with influences from the Victorian and revival styles. For the most part, first floors are still occupied with retail establishments and second floors with professional offices or apartments. Civic buildings include the WPA-funded city hall (1939), and the mid-century modern post office (1960). The Wilton Candy Kitchen (1856), the oldest building in the district, and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Depot (1898) are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Location

Wilton, Muscatine County, Iowa

Categories

COMMERCESOCIAL HISTORYTRANSPORTATION
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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Everything a full report reveals about Wilton Commercial Historic District

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
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Questions about this property

When was Wilton Commercial Historic District listed on the National Register?

Wilton Commercial Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 11, 2016.

What type of historic resource is Wilton Commercial Historic District?

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

What is the period of significance for Wilton Commercial Historic District?

The period of significance for Wilton Commercial Historic District is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Wilton Commercial Historic 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 Wilton Commercial Historic District will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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