Equinox House Historic District facts for kids
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Equinox House Historic District
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Equinox Hotel
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main and Union Sts., Manchester, Vermont |
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| Area | 25.8 acres (10.4 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate |
| Part of | Manchester Village Historic District (ID84003438) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000107 (original) 80000384 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 21, 1972 |
| Boundary increase | June 3, 1980 |
| Designated CP | January 26, 1984 |
The Equinox House Historic District is a special area in Manchester (village), Vermont. It's like the historic heart of the village! This district includes important buildings like the amazing Equinox House hotel, along with other shops and community buildings. You can find it where Main Street (Vermont Route 7A) and Union Street meet.
This area became a popular place for tourists in the late 1800s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it's recognized as a very important historic site. The district was made a bit larger in 1980 to include more buildings. It's also a small part of the bigger Manchester Village Historic District.
Contents
Exploring the Equinox House District
Manchester is a town located in northern Bennington County, Vermont. The main part of the village is on the east side of Equinox Mountain. The heart of the village is where Vermont Route 7A and Union Street come together. Vermont Route 7A used to be the main road going north and south through this area. Union Street goes east towards the Battenkill River.
A History of Spa Waters and Tourism
For a long time, this area has been famous for its natural spring waters. These waters flow down from the mountain. Since the mid-1800s, Manchester has been a popular place for people to visit. It's a great spot for tourists looking for a relaxing getaway.
The Grand Equinox Hotel
The Equinox Hotel is one of Vermont's few remaining large hotels from the 1800s. It stands proudly on the west side of the village. This hotel has welcomed many important guests throughout its long history.
- Mary Todd Lincoln: She was the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. She stayed here with her son, Robert Todd Lincoln. Robert later built a famous estate called Hildene nearby.
- Ulysses S. Grant: He was a famous general during the American Civil War and later became the 18th President of the United States.
Other Important Buildings
Across Main Street from the Equinox Hotel, you'll find several other important buildings. These buildings face either Main Street or Union Street. All of them were built before 1872.
- First Congregation Church: This church was built in 1871. It is the tallest building in the town.
- Bennington County Courthouse: This important government building was built in 1822.
- Orvis Building: This building is famous because Charles Orvis started his company here in 1856. His company, Orvis, is very well-known for fly-fishing gear. The Orvis family played a big part in the town's economy for many years. Many buildings in the village center are connected to them.
Becoming a Historic District
The Equinox Hotel was first recognized as a historic place in 1972. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1980, the area was made larger to include the other important buildings around it. All these buildings are also part of the larger Manchester Village Historic District.
