Historic District History
Villages and hamlets are found in Solebury at historically important crossroads at points along the Delaware River, at mill sites, and in clusters of buildings strung along roadways. From within they offer the visual impression of single landscape units, conveying a distinct three-dimensional sense of place-the buildings forming a sense of enclosure. There are six historic districts in Solebury, Carversville, Phillips Mill, Center Bridge, Lumberville, Cuttalossa and Upper Aquetong Valley.
These districts are included on the National Register of Historic Places. This unique designation has been achieved through the cooperative efforts of dedicated Solebury residents within each of the districts and supporting organizations such as the Bucks County Conservancy. This listing not only honors an area but offers the historic district protection from a number of state and federally licensed, authorized and funded projects and offers tax credits for income-producing properties in need of substantial rehabilitation - all with no restrictions to the property owner's rights.
In addition to the six nationally recognized historic districts, Solebury Township has two additional villages, the Village of Solebury and Cottageville which are deemed eligible for National Register Designation.
National Register Designations
The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archaeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Applications are submitted through the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission at http://www.arch.state.pa.us
Properties within two of the districts, Carversville, and Phillips Mill, are protected by Solebury's Ordinance # 68 which establishes a procedure for review by the Historical Architectural Review Board of all proposed renovations or building projects within the district. (Link to HARB and Historic District Ordinance # 68) The board reviews any construction, alteration or demolition that would affect historical or aesthetic qualities.
In other locations, small groups of historical buildings simply form what might be termed a country crossroads hamlet. From a visual standpoint, maintenance of a distinct sense of place for each hamlet or village is dependent upon retaining a greenbelt of open space around its edges, not allowing it to be absorbed into the suburban landscape.
Setbacks and Buffer Areas around Villages on the National Register of Historic Places.
As further protection of the Historic Districts a Township Ordinance, No. 76, provides for buffer yards around the township villages which have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It also establishes setbacks along the Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal which is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The Ordinance was passed to "preserve historic sites and land around them so that each historic site can remain in a natural setting."
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