Algiers, Vermont facts for kids

Algiers is a special community located in the town of Guilford, Vermont, United States. It's known as an unincorporated community and a census-designated place. This means it's a recognized area, but it's not a separate city or town with its own government.

History of Algiers

Algiers has a long and interesting history. It was first known by a different name: East Guilford. Over the years, many important buildings were constructed here.

Early Buildings and Mills

Some of the very first buildings in Algiers were built in the late 1700s. The Tracy House was built in 1789. The Broad Brook Grange followed in 1791. The Broad Brook House was built in 1816. The Christ Church was completed in 1817. This church was very important because it was the first Episcopal church ever built in Vermont.

Around the 1790s, the first grist mill in Guilford was built in Algiers. A grist mill is a place where grain is ground into flour. In 1823, the Tontine Building was constructed. It had apartments for people to live in and shops for businesses. Later, in 1854, the Guilford Congregational Church was also built in Algiers.

How Algiers Got Its Name

The community got its unique name in a fun way! People from Brattleboro used to play a game called cribbage every Wednesday with a group from East Guilford. The Brattleboro players started calling the East Guilford group "Algerian Pirates." This nickname stuck, and soon the whole village became known as Algiers.

Schools Through the Years

Algiers has had several schoolhouses over time. The very first schoolhouse was built in the 1790s. It was later changed into a barn and then sadly burned down. A second schoolhouse was built in the 1820s. This one also burned down in 1853 because of an overheated woodstove.

In 1854, the third schoolhouse was built. This building was used until 1955. That's when the new Guilford Central School was built. Since then, the old third schoolhouse has been used by local businesses.

The Fire Department Story

In 1949, the Congregational Church in Algiers had a fire. This fire, along with other serious fires in the years before, led to an important change. Later that same year, the Broad Brook Fire Control was formed in Algiers. Just two weeks later, it officially became the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department.

The fire station moved a few times. In 1950, it was in the Broad Brook Garage. From 1951 to 1954, it was on Guilford Center Road. The next station was built where the current one stands today. That building was taken down in 2005 to make way for an even newer fire station.

Modern Changes in Algiers

In 2005, the State of Vermont officially recognized Algiers as an incorporated village. This was a big step for the community.

Today, Algiers is undergoing a major improvement project. This project will build a new apartment complex and a new building with both homes and shops. It will also fix up two existing apartment buildings. One of these is the historic Tontine Building, which will now be called the Tontine-Canal Housing Complex. These changes will help Algiers grow and welcome new residents and businesses.