History and General Neighborhood Information:
Geneva would be an attractive, livable city even if so many of the historic structures had not survived, but because these structures are here today, the city is truly outstanding. The impact of these buildings is most clearly shown in the South Main Historic District, which is large enough and distinct enough to be thought of as its own linear neighborhood. The buildings include some of the very earliest structures and some of the architecturally most important properties. The history spans from the beginning of the city to its role as a nursery center and to its evolution into a manufacturing city.
Because of the relocation of the downtown early in the development of the city, the South Main Historic District functions primarily as a residential neighborhood consisting mostly of single family houses and a few multi-family buildings. Although it stretches along South Main, it includes an attractive urban square containing a city park typical of the 1800’s (Pulteney Park). Around this park and extending along South Main is a collection of houses, some in the classic row houses format and others on quite large lots.
Historic South