Kents Corner Historic District facts for kids
|
Kents Corner Historic District
|
|
Calais Town Hall, the former Christian Church
|
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Kent's Corner, Calais, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 320 acres (130 ha) (original size) 1,100 acres (450 ha) (after 2006 increase) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000199 (original) 06000534 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | May 8, 1973 |
| Boundary increase | June 30, 2006 |
The Kents Corner Historic District is a special old area in Calais, Vermont. It's like a time capsule showing what a small village looked like in the 1800s. This district is centered around a crossroads where Kent Hill Road, Old West Church Road, and Robinson Cemetery Road meet. It became an important stop for stagecoaches long ago.
This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's a place that is important to American history and should be protected. The district was made much larger in 2006 to include even more historic buildings and land.
Kents Corner: A Glimpse into the Past
The Kents Corner area of Calais was first settled in the late 1780s. The Wheelock family were some of the first people to live here. Remember Kent built his first log cabin in 1797. This cabin is now part of a house nearby.
The main roads we see today were set up in the early 1800s. These roads crossed right on Remember Kent's land. The road going north and south became part of a busy stagecoach route. This route connected Montpelier to Montreal.
How Kents Corner Grew
Because of the stagecoach route, the Kent family added a tavern and a general store. Travelers could stop here to rest, eat, and buy supplies. The old tavern building is still standing today. It has been used as a local history museum.
Kents Corner has mostly stayed a quiet farming area. But it also had some small businesses. There were mills that used water power and even a small brickyard. These small industries helped the community grow.
Protecting History: The National Register
When Kents Corner was first listed in 1973, the historic district covered about a quarter-mile around the main crossroads. It also included the important Old West Church. In 2006, experts looked at the area again. They decided to make the district much bigger.
The expanded district now stretches further in different directions. It includes many buildings built in the Greek Revival style. This style was popular in the 1800s. The larger district also protects old industrial sites and natural areas. One example is the Bliss Town Forest.
At the eastern end of the district, you can find the Calais Town Hall. This building used to be a church. North of the crossroads, on Robinson Cemetery Road, there is a sawmill from the 1800s. These buildings help tell the story of Kents Corner.
