Chester Historic District
National Register Listing
Street Address:
Commercial area centered around jct. of U.S. 321 and SC 72, Chester, SC (Chester County)
Alternate Name:
City of Chester Historic District
NRHP Nomination
NRHP Boundary Increase
Record Number:
S10817712006
Description and Narrative:
The focal point of the Chester Historic District is The Hill, a triangular-shaped plaza on an eminence at the center of the city, around which the original settlement grew, and which now includes the city hall and a relatively well-preserved collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial buildings. The district now also includes the remainder of the central business area, containing the county courthouse and the federal building, as well as most of the older residential areas of the city and the early churches that are within them. Of the 475 properties in the district, 324 are considered to contribute to its historical character. The city of Chester was formed in the late eighteenth century as Chesterville. However, most of the properties included in the district reflect the city’s history through the second half of the nineteenth and in the early twentieth centuries. As a result, the buildings display a wide variety of architectural styles reflective of stylistic trends during that time span, including Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Victorian, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, Classical Revival, and Bungalow. In addition, the district reflects the city’s role as a commercial center for the surrounding county, and as its political and governmental hub. Listed in the National Register June 13, 1972; Boundary increase March 15, 1988.
Period of Significance:
19th century;20th century
Level of Significance:
State
Area of Significance:
Commerce;Architecture;Literature;Military;Politics/Government;Performing Arts;Transportation
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
June 13 1972
Date of Boundary Increase:
March 15 1988
