Downtown Manhattan Historic District
Downtown Manhattan Historic District | |
| Location | Generally including the blocks bet. Humboldt and Pierre Sts. from 3rd to 5th Sts., Manhattan, Kansas |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°10′44″N 96°33′42″W / 39.17889°N 96.56167°W |
| Area | 25.8 acres (10.4 ha) |
| Architect | J.C. Holland; F. Squires; et al. |
| Architectural style | Early Commercial, Queen Anne, et al. |
| NRHP reference No. | 06001240[1] |
| Added to NRHP | October 2, 2007 |
The Downtown Manhattan Historic District in Manhattan, Kansas is a 25.8 acres (10.4 ha) historic district which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The district generally includes the blocks between Humboldt and Pierre Sts. from 3rd to 5th Sts.[1]
The district includes 48 contributing buildings and 15 non-contributing buildings. Selected buildings are:
- Manhattan State Bank Building (1906), 400 Poyntz
- Wareham Hall (Formerly the Wareham Theater) (1910), 408-412 Poyntz[2]
Local Designation and Naming
The Downtown Manhattan Historic District was first designated as a Certified Local Historic District in 1982, nearly 25 years before its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It encompasses just over six blocks of downtown Manhattan, Kansas, preserving a rich concentration of historic commercial and civic architecture.
In July 1855, the townsite of Manhattan was platted. The east–west street later developed as the district’s commercial core was named Poyntz Avenue, after Colonel Poyntz, an investor in the steamboat Hartford. The adjacent street to the south was named for Sam Houston, recognized as one of the area’s first white settlers.[3]
Contemporary Use
The Downtown Manhattan Historic District remains a vibrant cultural and entertainment hub. Centered along Poyntz Avenue, the district features a variety of restaurants, breweries, cafés, and venues, anchoring downtown as a gathering place for both locals and visitors.[4][5]
Cultural Events
Downtown regularly hosts community-oriented arts and cultural events—such as Third Thursdays and the Plein Air on Poyntz Art Walk—which bring together residents, artists, and businesses through public exhibitions and performances.[6]
Wareham Hall and Community Revitalization
The historic Wareham Theatre is undergoing redevelopment into Wareham Hall, a non-profit, multi‐purpose mid‐sized venue that will enable performances including concerts, theater, and comedy shows. The city supports this roughly $40 million project through philanthropy, tax incentives and historic tax credits, signaling a strategic investment in enhancing downtown’s cultural infrastructure.[7][8]
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ Brenda R. Spencer; Christy Davis (July 28, 2006). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Downtown Manhattan Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved December 31, 2017. With photos.
- ^ "Historic Properties | Manhattan, KS - Official Website". www.manhattanks.gov. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ "Road trip: There's a lot to explore in Manhattan, Kansas". KCUR. July 15, 2023.
- ^ "Homepage - Downtown Manhattan Inc". downtownmhk.com. December 6, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ "Events Available - Downtown Manhattan Inc". September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Staff, KMAN (July 16, 2025). "City approves incentives for Wareham Hall renovations". News Radio KMAN. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ "Chamber Supports Wareham Request". Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved September 10, 2025.