Cornwall General Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cornwall General Store
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The store in 2012
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2635 VT 30, Seth Warner Highway, Cornwall, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1880 |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000804 |
| Added to NRHP | August 6, 2005 |
The Cornwall General Store, also known as the LaValley General Store, was a special old building in Cornwall, Vermont. It was a place where people could buy almost anything they needed, from food to tools, all in one spot! It also had a home attached where the store owner lived.
This historic store was built way back in 1880. For over 50 years, it was a busy center for the community. Because it was such a great example of an old-fashioned general store, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This list helps protect important historical places. Sadly, the store was taken down around 2013.
Contents
What Was the Cornwall General Store Like?
The Cornwall General Store was located right in the middle of Cornwall village. It sat on the east side of Vermont Route 30, next to the Cornwall Town Hall.
Building Features
The building was made of wood and had a main section with a pointed roof. It also had extra parts added to its sides and back. The outside was covered in wooden boards called clapboards. There was a charming porch that stretched across the front, giving it a classic look.
Inside, the store still had many of its original features. You could see the old shelves and counters where goods were displayed. Even the oil lamps on the walls were still there, showing how things used to be.
A Look at the Store's History
The Cornwall General Store was built around 1880 by a man named Conrad Frost. At that time, the village center of Cornwall was just starting to grow. The local church and town common had been important since 1803. The town hall had also just been built.
Early Days and Owners
Conrad Frost picked a great spot for his new store. It was so successful that it even caused an older store nearby to close by 1890. In 1918, William LaValley bought the store. His family ran the business until 1940.
After the store closed, May LaValley continued to live in the home part of the building until 1997. In 2000, her family sold the building to the town. They hoped the town would save and preserve this important piece of history.
The Store's Final Years
By 2012, the old building was in poor condition. The town had to decide whether to fix it up or take it down. In 2013, money was set aside to demolish the store. By 2014, the town was thinking about what else they could use the land for. One idea was to expand the town hall.
