Marysville Historic Commercial District

Downtown Marysville's historic commercial core is preserved in a district of 85 buildings and one structure spread over parts of fourteen blocks, split into northern and southern sections by newer development. Most buildings were built for retail, with recessed entrances and display windows, and many also held offices or apartments. Brick is the dominant material, and about ninety percent of the buildings are under three stories. Styles range from subdued Greek Revival and Italianate of the nineteenth century to Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival and Streamline Moderne in the twentieth. Notable examples include the Tower Theater, the Hart Building, the Hotel Marysville and the State Theater. The district was listed for its role in local commerce between 1854 and 1948. Although roughly 160 nearby buildings have been lost since 1948 and many storefronts have been altered, the contributing buildings keep their historic materials and design above street level. Perhaps half the buildings are now empty, and foot traffic is much reduced.