Jericho Center Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Jericho Center Historic District
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Brown's Trace, Bolger Hill and Varney Rds., Jericho, Vermont |
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| Area | 17 acres (6.9 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Mixed (more Than 2 Styles From Different Periods) |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003207 |
| Added to NRHP | May 26, 1983 |
The Jericho Center Historic District is a special area in the middle of Jericho, Vermont. It's like a time capsule, showing what a Vermont village looked like in the 1800s and early 1900s. This historic spot is found around the town green, where three roads meet: Brown's Trace, Varney Road, and Bolger Hill Road.
It's important not to mix this district up with the bigger, modern village of Jericho! This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 because of its historical importance and well-preserved buildings.
Contents
Exploring Jericho Center's History
How Jericho Center Began
The town of Jericho was officially created in 1763. However, people didn't start settling there until after the American Revolutionary War ended. An early settler named Lewis Chapin gave land for the town green. He had one condition: the town's meetinghouse had to be built there.
Soon, the village started to grow. A store and other buildings were constructed around the new town green. This area quickly became the heart of the community.
Why Jericho Center is Unique
Jericho Center didn't become a big economic hub. It didn't have strong water power for mills or later, railroad connections. But it still thrived as a service and civic center. It provided important services for the farms and homes in the surrounding countryside.
The village also had the Jericho Academy. This school offered education for older students from 1825 into the 20th century. Today, the old academy building is home to the town's library.
What You'll See in the District
The Jericho Center Historic District covers about 17 acres. It includes the nearly square town green and all the buildings that face it. The district also stretches a short distance north along Brown's Trace.
Most of the buildings are houses. They are usually one to two-and-a-half stories tall. These homes show common building styles from between 1800 and 1920. They are good examples of how people built houses in that time.
The Congregational Church is a standout building. It's the only one made of brick. Built in 1836, it was updated in 1877. This church is a well-known landmark in the area. It shows a mix of older Federal style and newer Italianate design.
You'll also find a few buildings that were originally stores. Some houses have even been changed to serve as shops over time. The oldest buildings in the district are along the southern side of the green. They date back to the 1810s.
