Elgin Commercial Historic District
Roughly, along Main St., Ave. C, Central and Depot Aves. and 1st and 2nd Sts., Elgin, TXThe Elgin Commercial Historic District, which comprises the mercantile center of Elgin, represents the early commercial development and history of the city. Its period of significance begins in 1872 with the platting of the town by the Houston and Texas Central (H&TC) railroad and the construction of the oldest surviving building, the H&TC freight depot, and ends with the construction of the International Style Webb & Webb law office in 1947. Throughout this period, the district served the local communities' trading and mercantile needs, as access to rail facilities provided by the Houston and Texas Central and Missouri, Kansas, & Texas (MKT or Katy) railroads drew farmers and merchants to the town. The district developed around the railroads into a centralized trading center for lumber and agricultural products, especially cotton, and also served as a center for brick-making in Elgin, which would become one of the town's most important industries. Saloons, banks, physicians' offices, pharmacies, furniture, clothing, and hardware stores, along with numerous general stores, lined the streets and catered to the various needs of the surrounding community.
The strong historical associations of the buildings to the local cotton and brick industries and to Elgin's economic growth and prosperity during the period of significance support listing under National Register Criterion A at the local level of significance. The vernacular commercial architecture of the district also meets National Register Criterion C at the local level of significance for its reflection of distinctive characteristics of late 19th and early 20th century retail, commercial, and industrial building types and styles. The detailed masonry of the buildings in red and later buff-colored brick demonstrates the impact of the local brick industry on the city's development. A coherent rhythm of storefront entries, windows, and transoms characterize and lend continuity to the district's resources, which retain a high degree of integrity.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.