Morrisville Historic District (Morristown, Vermont) facts for kids
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Morrisville Historic District
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Portland, Main, Railroad and Foundry Sts., Morristown, Vermont |
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| Area | 25 acres (10 ha) (original size) 13.3 acres (5.4 ha) (size of 2007 increase) |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003210 (original) 07000196 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 19, 1983 |
| Boundary increase | March 21, 2007 |
The Morrisville Historic District is a special area in the village of Morrisville, Vermont. It includes most of the old downtown, where businesses and shops used to be. This area grew a lot in the early 1800s. It helped the farms nearby by providing services. Later, in 1872, the railroad arrived and changed everything. Morrisville became a big business center for the whole region.
The buildings you see today show what the town looked like during these two important times. This historic district was first added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This is a list of places important to American history. The district was made even bigger in 2007 to include more historic spots.
Exploring Morrisville's Past
The story of Morrisville village began in 1798. That's when a man named John Safford built a sawmill. This mill was located on the Lamoille River, which is at the northern edge of the village. By the mid-1800s, Morrisville was a busy place. It served all the farms in the surrounding hills. There were many shops and skilled workers like blacksmiths and carpenters.
How the Village Grew
Most of these early businesses were on what is now Lower Main Street. This street runs east to west between High and Portland Streets. Portland Street was planned because people knew the railroad was coming. When the trains finally arrived in 1872, it started a big building boom. Many new businesses and buildings were constructed on Portland Street. The areas east of these busy commercial and industrial spots became neighborhoods where people lived.
What Makes the District Special?
When the Morrisville Historic District was first recognized in 1983, it mainly included commercial buildings. These were found on Lower Main Street and Portland Street. It also had a few older houses from the Federal period on Main Street.
In 2007, the district became much larger. It now includes more buildings related to the railroad industry. It also has more residential areas to the east. The buildings in the commercial area are quite varied. Many from the post-railroad boom are made of brick. They often show the Italianate style of architecture.
The expanded district also features many different types of historic homes. You can find four historic churches and two historic school buildings there too. One of these schools is called Peoples Academy. It is so important that it has its own separate listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
