the primrose hill area of belfast was developed after high street was laid out in 1805. the part of high street north of the city's central business district is elevated, with commanding views over the downtown and harbor beyond. as such, it became a desirable location for the city's elite to live. the historic district, when described in 1973 for listing on the national register of historic places, described only five properties, extending along high street from primrose street south to a triangular junction with high and church streets, and then south on church street to anderson. its bounds, however, are actually larger, as a portion of anderson street (between church and waldo streets) was included in a 1993 amendment to the belfast historic district due to its earlier inclusion in this district. (the belfast historic district was intended to completely include this district).