Fox Stand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fox Stand
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5615 VT 14, Royalton, Vermont |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1818 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000477 |
| Added to NRHP | July 23, 2015 |
The Fox Stand is a very old and important building in Royalton, Vermont. You can find it at 5615 Vermont Route 14. It was built in 1814. This building used to be a tavern, which is like an old-fashioned inn or hotel. Travelers on the main road, called a turnpike (now VT 14), would stop here. This road followed the White River.
Over the years, the Fox Stand has been used for many different things. It has been a home and a business. Most recently, it was a restaurant with an apartment for the owner. The Fox Stand is special because it's a great example of a Federal-style tavern. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
Contents
What Does the Fox Stand Look Like?
The Fox Stand is on the west side of Vermont Route 14. It's at the south end of North Royalton village. The building is just north of the bridge that crosses the White River. It is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is made of brick and sits on a stone base.
The roof is shaped like a triangle, which is called a gabled roof. It has two chimneys inside. The front of the building faces east and has six sections. The main door is in the middle. It has a special arch above it with a stone at the top. There are also small windows next to and above the door. The other windows are rectangular. They have flat stone tops called lintels. Inside, the building still has many old features. These include fireplaces made of brick and local soapstone. There are also two old baking ovens.
A Look at the Fox Stand's History
When Was the Fox Stand Built?
The Fox Stand was built between 1816 and 1818. A local builder named Amasa Dutton, Jr. constructed it for Jacob Fox. It was made to serve people traveling on the White River Turnpike. This road opened in 1800. The Fox Stand also became a popular meeting place for the community.
A Famous Visitor and Changes Over Time
The building originally had a large room on the third floor. This room was a ballroom. People used it for parties and social events. In 1825, a very famous person visited the tavern. This was the Marquis de Lafayette. He was a French hero who helped America in the Revolutionary War. He stopped at the Fox Stand on his way to Montpelier.
Around 1850, a railroad was built nearby. This meant fewer people used the old turnpike road. Because of this, the tavern eventually closed. For many years after that, it was used as a private home. In the 1970s, it was changed again. It became a mix of businesses and homes. As of 2015, the ground floor had a restaurant. The second floor had an apartment. The old ballroom on the third floor is still there. However, it is not used because of modern fire safety rules.
