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Common Historic District
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · tap to enlarge
National Register of Historic Places

Common Historic District

A district of 14 historic buildingsOn the Register since 1985
FederalListed 1985Reading
DirectionsAdd an old photo

Many listed buildings are private homes. Please enjoy them from the street.

About

About the district

Common Historic District, at Roughly bounded by Main, Highland, and Federal Sts., was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Feb 1, 1985. The Register lists it for its commerce, politics and architecture, at the local level. It describes its style as Federal, as it does for 661 other Massachusetts listings. The district takes in 14 historic buildings. It was listed as part of Reading MRA. The listing covers 30 acres. 11 more Register listings are within a quarter mile.

What it isHistoric district in Massachusetts, United States. From Wikidata (CC0). Read about it on Wikipedia ↗

PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 10 MB · National Archives↗
Visit

Make it a walk: 5 landmarks in about 15 minutes

Roughly bounded by Main, Highland, and Federal Sts., Reading · about 0.6 miles on foot, as the crow flies

DirectionsWalk the tour in Google Maps
  1. 1Common Historic DistrictStart here
  2. 2Rev. Peter Sanborn HouseCentral Chimney · Built 1812 · 0.1 mi on
  3. 3Joseph Bancroft HouseFederal · Built 1833 · 0.2 mi on
  4. 4Highland SchoolSecond Renaissance Revival · Built 1896 · 0.2 mi on
  5. 5House at 129 High StreetQueen Anne · Built 1890 · 0.1 mi on
Around it

33 more Register listings within half a mile

★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.

BWashington Damon HouseGreek Revival · Built 18400.1 miBAlden Batchelder HouseItalianate · Built 18490.1 miBMasonic BlockSecond Renaissance Revival · Built 18930.2 miBReading Municipal BuildingRenaissance Revival · Built 18830.2 miBBrande HouseQueen Anne · Built 18890.2 miStBowser GazeboBuilt 18940.2 miBHouse at 42 Salem StreetGreek Revival · Built 18400.2 miBHouse at 57 Woburn StreetQueen Anne · Built 18890.2 miBParker HouseEarly Federal · Built 17920.2 miBParker HouseStick · Built 18810.2 miBParker, Capt. Nathaniel, Red HouseVernacular Georgian · Built 17650.3 miBAce Art CompanyArt Deco · Built 19240.3 miBLuther Elliott HouseGreek Revival · Built 18470.3 miBCarter MansionFederal · Built 18020.3 miBRowhouses at 256-274 Haven StreetItalianate · Built 18860.3 miBHouse at 322 Haven StreetEarly Gothic Revival · Built 18820.3 miBJoseph Temple HouseFrench Second Empire · Built 18720.3 miBOctagon HouseGothic Revival · Built 18500.3 mi
Show the other 15
BHouse at 79-81 Salem StreetGreek Revival · Built 18400.3 miBHarnden-Browne HouseQueen Anne · Built 18310.3 miStReading StandpipeBuilt 18900.3 miBHouse at 199 Summer AvenueTudor Revival · Built 18780.4 miBBoston and Maine Railroad DepotStick · Built 18700.4 miBPierce HouseStick Style · Built 18780.4 miBPierce Organ Pipe FactoryItalianate · Built 18520.4 miBPearl Street SchoolColonial Revival · Built 19390.4 miBStephen Hall HouseGothic Revival · Built 18500.5 miBParker TavernFirst Period · Built 16940.5 miBHouse at 11 Beach StreetStick · Built 18820.5 miBWendell Bancroft HouseGothic Revival · Built 18670.5 miBJacob Manning HouseStick Style · Built 18770.5 miBHouse at 16 Mineral StreetSecond Empire · Built 18740.5 miBCharles Manning HouseGreek Revival · Built 18500.5 mi
More like it

Federal style, nearby

Other National Register listings within 25 miles described as Federal.

Carter MansionBuilt 1802 · 0.3 mi away
House at 79-81 Salem StreetBuilt 1840 · 0.3 mi away
Harnden-Browne HouseBuilt 1831 · 0.3 mi away
Joseph Bancroft HouseBuilt 1833 · 0.3 mi away

Memories of Common Historic District

The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.

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Questions about Common Historic District

Is Common Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places?

Yes. It was added on Feb 1, 1985 (Register number 85000548).

Is Common Historic District a National Historic Landmark?

No. It is on the National Register; Massachusetts has 189 National Historic Landmarks. The nearest is Count Rumford Birthplace, 3.2 miles away.

Can you visit Common Historic District?

Our record doesn’t say whether it is open to visitors. Many listed buildings are private, so it may only be seen from the street.

Where can I read the history of Common Historic District?

In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 10 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.

Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 63791528 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.