Dublin's center developed in the 19th century after its original village center was abandoned due to harsher winter conditions nearer Dublin Pond.

[2] The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The most prominent commercial building to the west of this intersection are the wood frame publishing offices of Yankee magazine.

[2] Just north of Main Street and along Harrisville Road lies the campus of the Dublin School, on which stand a number of 19th century homes.

East of the central intersection on Main Street is the lower village, a stretch that is predominantly residential, with an array of houses that are predominantly Greek Revival in their styling.