Brookfield Village Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Brookfield Village Historic District
|
|
Old Town Hall
|
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Sunset Lake area, Brookfield, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 450 acres (180 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000237 |
| Added to NRHP | March 28, 1974 |
The Brookfield Village Historic District is a special area in Brookfield, Vermont. It shows what a village looked like in the 1800s. This historic place is located on the eastern side of Sunset Lake. It has many old buildings built in the Greek Revival architecture style. The district is also famous for the Sunset Lake Floating Bridge. This unique pontoon bridge helps people get to the village from the west side of the lake. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Contents
What is the Brookfield Village Historic District?
The Brookfield Village Historic District covers the old center of Brookfield, Vermont. It's like a time capsule showing how people lived in the 1800s. The district is special because it has kept its old-fashioned feel. The main roads are still unpaved, and there are many tall shade trees.
How Big is the Historic District?
This historic area is quite large, covering about 450 acres (which is about 182 hectares). It stretches along the eastern shore of Sunset Lake. It goes south to the First Congregational Church. It also extends more than half a mile north of the famous floating bridge.
The district even reaches across the lake to the west. This means it includes some of the beautiful natural views around the village. Most of the buildings in the district are homes. They are usually simple houses built in the Greek Revival style.
What Buildings Can You See?
You can find important public buildings in the district. One is the First Congregational Church, built in 1843. Another is the old town hall. This three-story building from the mid-1800s has been used for many different town activities and community groups over the years.
Near the southern part of the village, you can still see parts of an old factory. This factory made forks in the 1800s. It used the water from Sunset Brook to power its machines. Sunset Brook flows out of the southern end of the lake.
History of Brookfield Village
The town of Brookfield was officially started in 1781. The village grew up along Ridge Road. In the 1800s, Ridge Road was a very important route. It was a main stagecoach road that connected towns like Montpelier and Randolph.
The Famous Floating Bridge
The village developed on the eastern shore of Sunset Pond. This pond was first known as Colt's Pond. In 1812, the first version of the Sunset Lake Floating Bridge was built across it. This bridge is very special. It is the only known pontoon bridge in the eastern United States. A pontoon bridge floats on the water, supported by special floating structures.
