Newport Downtown Historic District (Newport, Vermont) facts for kids
The Newport Downtown Historic District is a special area in Newport, Vermont, filled with historic buildings. This district shows how the city grew into an important travel and tourism spot in the late 1800s, especially after the railroad arrived. The area, which is mostly bordered by Third Street, Coventry Street, and Lake Memphremagog, was officially recognized as a historic place in 2006.
Quick facts for kids |
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Newport Downtown Historic District
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Downtown Newport, 1908 postcard view
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main, Coventry, Central, Second, Summer, Third, School, Bayview, Eastern, Field, Seymour, Fyfe, Newport, Vermont |
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| Area | 37 acres (15 ha) |
| Architect | Packard, Lambert; et.al. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000898 |
| Added to NRHP | September 28, 2006 |
How Newport's Downtown Grew Up
Newport, located at the very end of Lake Memphremagog, was once a quiet farming area. Everything changed in 1863 when the Passumpsic Railroad started running trains here. The town quickly became busy, with its economy boosted by more logging and tourism on the lake. In 1918, the main part of Newport joined with a nearby village called West Derby to form the city of Newport.
From Marsh to Main Street
The city's main downtown area is still where the original village was. This spot is on a small piece of land that sticks out into the lake. Before 1820, this land was a marshy wilderness covered in trees. Workers cleared the timber, and a bridge was built in 1832 connecting this land to the eastern shore of the lake. This bridge carried the main road from Derby to Burlington.
After the railroad arrived in 1863, this road became the heart of downtown. Many hotels, shops, and important public services opened up. Newport's importance in the region grew even more in the 1880s when it became the county seat for Orleans County. This is when the Orleans County Courthouse and Jail Complex was built.
Buildings You Can See Today
The historic district covers most of the eastern part of this land, which is the city's main business area. You can find several important public buildings here. Besides the courthouse complex, there's the Federal courthouse, post office, and customs house. The old National Guard armory now serves as the city hall.
You can also visit the Goodrich Memorial Library, which is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture. The district also includes three churches. Many homes in the area feature wide, covered porches and show off architectural styles from the Victorian and Colonial Revival periods.
