For more than a century, Central Avenue has been the commercial heart of Marshfield. In 1993, the Central Avenue Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it remains one of the city’s special features, a place where stately brick buildings house a modern blend of restaurants, shops and businesses. Here’s a quick guide to exploring the district.
About the Central Avenue Historic District
This district comprises the commercial center of Marshfield. The collection of buildings in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of S. Central Avenue are important to the area’s retail and commercial history. They include a variety of architecture, including Italianate, classical revival, art deco, and early twentieth century commercial styles.
What you’ll find
Every building on this street has a story and they are fascinating to uncover. Step inside 2 ½ Cups Cupcakery & Bakeshop at 126 S. Central Ave, and you’ll find yourself in a building that was constructed at the turn of the century. It first served as a saloon and store before becoming the Majestic Hotel around 1912. The building later became a restaurant and today it’s a charming bakery that produces delicious custom cakes, brownies, candies and of course, cupcakes. Most of the buildings on Central Avenue are open to the public, so it’s possible to step inside and take in a bit of the history—and perhaps a cupcake.
Other businesses in and around the district include restaurants like China Chef and Daily Grind and stores like, Endless Designs, Merle Norman Cosmetics & The Day Spa Boutique and Thimbleberry Books.
