National Register of Historic Places

Sunbury Historic District

Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
Listed
November 3, 1983
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
83004240

About this property

The Sunbury Historic District is a national historic district located at Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses 238 contributing buildings in the central business district and surrounding residential areas of Sunbury. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. "§ 175-116 General provisions. A. District created. This article creates the City of Sunbury Historic District within the geographic boundaries of the City of Sunbury; defines the terms used in this article; defines the boundaries of the Historic District; creates an Historical Architectural Review Board to advise the City Council on issuing certifications of appropriateness for permits to erect, demolish or alter buildings within the Sunbury Historic District; and provides for appeals for refusals and for changes in procedures in the office of Code Enforcement necessary to carry out the provisions of this article and for notifying the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission of the pendency of this article and for obtaining a certificate as to the historic significance of the District within the limits defined in this article.... (1) Protect an architecturally distinctive and historic area of Sunbury; (3) Promote the general welfare and education of the City's people; (5) Enhance the City's attractiveness to residents and visitors; and (6) Stimulate business and strengthen the City's economy." The significant residential buildings in this historic district were constructed of wood or brick, 2+1⁄2 stories, in a variety of architectural styles including Federal, Colonial Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne. Notable buildings include the separately listed Northumberland County Courthouse in addition to the Northumberland County Prison (1876), James Tilghman House (1773), Maclay-Wolverton House (1773-1774), Keithan's Store, Central Hotel, Sunbury Textile Mills (1896), Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger Depot, Edison Hotel, Masonic Temple (1907), Chestnut Street Opera House (1901), and Sunbury Market (1901). It was destroyed by a fire in 1914, and the current structure was built in the same place around 1918. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Location

Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
40.86162, -76.79255

Categories

INDUSTRYCOMMERCETRANSPORTATIONPOLITICS/GOVERNMENTARCHITECTURE
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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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
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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.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Northumberland County Courthouse
Industrial
0.1 mi
Beck House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Sunbury Armory
Industrial
1.1 mi
Priestley, Dr. Joseph, House
Industrial
1.9 mi
Priestley, Joseph, House
Industrial
2 mi

Questions about this property

When was Sunbury Historic District listed on the National Register?

Sunbury Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 3, 1983.

What type of historic resource is Sunbury Historic District?

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

What is the period of significance for Sunbury Historic District?

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

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

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