Solar Hill Historic District, Historic district in Bristol, United States
Solar Hill Historic District is a residential area covering about 67 acres near central Bristol, bounded by railroad tracks and several streets including Scott, West, Johnson, and Cumberland. The area contains many original single-family homes that now function as apartment buildings or commercial spaces while maintaining their historical exterior features.
The area received its name in 1869 when it served as an observation point for a solar eclipse, before urban development began in 1871. The neighborhood developed over following decades into a preferred residential area for wealthy residents.
The neighborhood displays architectural styles from around 1890 to 1920, when wealthy families built homes here with distinctive design features. The homes show Colonial Revival and Craftsman details that visitors can observe on their exteriors today.
The district is easily walkable and located near downtown, making it convenient for a leisurely stroll through older streets. Many buildings retain their original form on the outside even though they serve different purposes today, which makes it interesting to observe how the neighborhood has adapted.
The King family, early settlers of Bristol, retained ownership of the land until after the Civil War and controlled much of what became the city. This family ownership shaped how the neighborhood developed from its earliest years.
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