Commerce and Change on Congress Street

Date and Time for this Past Event

• Friday, Nov 1, 2024  9:30am - 12pm

Location

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Details

October 25, 9:30 am-12 pm
$20/member, $30/non-member
This tour begins on the southwest corner of Church and Congress Streets across from the Leo Kent Hotel (1 S. Church Ave.)

In 1870, east of Stone on Congress Street, was getting out of town. The arrival of the railroad and land speculation would pull development east to the railroad station and then vacant lots on Congress would begin filling in along the entire length of Congress Street. Livery stables would give way to multi-story buildings and favorite hangouts with bad reputations would vanish. There was a competition between the merchants in the older portion of Congress Street west of Stone and the East Congress merchants towards the railroad station. Department stores and the advent of movie theaters was an essential part of this competition. In the 1940's and 1950's, Congress Street was the place to be for a day of shopping, a movie, and lunch. With the arrival of suburban malls and strip commercial shops, Congress Street declined to the point of being boarded up, including the Fox Theatre. The rebirth of Congress Street began in the late 1980's with the recognition that preservation of the historic buildings would revitalize downtown. The modern streetcar was the final piece of the revitalization puzzle. Your guide, Ken Scoville, was involved directly with downtown and Congress Street from 1985 to the present.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received more than 24 hours in advance will receive a refund minus a small transaction fee. Cancellations received less than 24 hours in advance will not receive a refund.

The event also recurs on the following dates:

November 22, 2024 - 10:00AM to 12:30PM. For more information, please visit: Register

December 27, 2024 - 10:00AM to 12:30PM. For more information, please visit:
Register