Downing Street Historic District

The Downing Street Historic District is a 12-building area spanning about 1.5 acres, with stone and stucco walls painted in light beige tones. Dark brown decorative boards run across the facades, creating a unified architectural look from the early 1900s.

The buildings were constructed between 1909 and the 1920s as a planned community inspired by European architecture. The district received recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The buildings here bring together colonial and Elizabethan design elements that shape how the district looks and feels as a whole. When you walk through, you can see how these European-inspired styles were adapted for an American small-town setting.

The district sits between 3rd and 4th Streets and is easy to explore on foot at a leisurely pace. You can view all the buildings and their details without needing special equipment or reservations.

This was one of Missouri's first planned village communities, deliberately bringing European design principles to an American small town. What makes it special is how the entire vision stayed intact, showing how ambitious architectural ideas actually took root in the region.

Location: Hollister

GPS coordinates: 36.62306,-93.21556

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:44