In 1875, the community incorporated as a village, and also suffered a devastating fire that destroyed almost the entire downtown.

In the downtown area, the Bennett Hotel and Upton Opera House were constructed in the early 1880s.

[2] After the turn of the century, the streetscape began to change, as concrete sidewalks and brick-paved streets were installed.

The oil boom brought an influx of money into the city in the 1930s, and the prosperity continued through the post-World War II period.

As buildings were demolished due to fire damage or other reasons, newer structures were built to replace them, resulting in a mingling of various styles throughout the district.

Buildings are primarily Italianate and Commercial brick, with some other Late Victorian, Art Deco, and International Style structures mixed in.

These structures tend to be more Classical in detail, and include larger plate glass windows on the first floor.