National Register of Historic Places

South Green Historic District

Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts
Listed
September 16, 1980
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
80000471

About this property

The South Green Historic District encompasses one of the oldest central civic parts of Ipswich, Massachusetts. The town's South Green was laid out in 1686, and is now the heart of a collection of historic properties dating from the 17th to the 19th century. The centerpiece of the district is the green itself, and its most notable associated property is the John Whipple House, a National Historic Landmark and museum. The district boundaries extend from the junction of South Main and Elm Streets, southward past the green to where County Road (Massachusetts Route 1A) crosses Saltonstall's Creek. Ipswich voted to establish the South Green in 1686, after which it was used as a common grazing area, and as a training ground for the local militia. It was also the site of Ipswich's earliest school buildings, which even predated the establishment of the green as a common area. The first schoolhouse was built in the area in 1652; it was moved to the Meetinghouse Green in 1704, at which time private education continued in the area. A public school was again introduced to the South Green area in 1794, which became the English High School from 1836 to 1874. Most of the surviving structures in the district are houses. The oldest is the c. 1653 Whipple House, which was moved to the area in the 1930s. The green is flanked by buildings dating through the 19th century, in a variety of styles. The predominant styles are Georgian, Federal, and Greek Revival, although there are several later Victorian properties. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Location

Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts
42.67576, -70.83678

Categories

MILITARYARCHITECTURE
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.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about South Green Historic District

This page lists South Green Historic District. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
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
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your South Green Historic District report
Or see a real report first

Nearby Historic Sites

Whipple, John, House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Ipswich Mills Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Calef, Dr. John, House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Heard-Lakeman House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Grant, Benjamin, House
Industrial
0.2 mi

Nearby Battles

Raid on Gloucester (Cape Ann)
1775Revolutionary War
9.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was South Green Historic District listed on the National Register?

South Green Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 16, 1980.

What type of historic resource is South Green Historic District?

South Green Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for South Green Historic District?

The period of significance for South Green Historic District is recorded as the listed era.

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

More in Essex County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Essex County.

Explore EssexCounty ›

More historic places in Massachusetts

Browse all historic places in Massachusetts.

View Massachusettshistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Massachusetts history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Massachusettshistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near South Green Historic District will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report