The twelve buildings in the district represent the city's growth between 1855 and 1902, housing businesses, professional offices and social halls, and also the city's municipal offices.

The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

[1] Auburn rose on the banks of the Androscoggin River with the humble beginnings of a log driver's camp in the late 19th century, and did not benefit in the 19th century industrialization the way neighboring Lewiston did, which had a more suitable siting for textile mills.

A bridge across the river in 1822-23 spurred some development, including along the roads which are now Main and Court Streets.

The current city offices stand just to its north on Court Street, in a 2004 building, sensitively designed to blend in with its neighbor by Harriman Associates.