Ritchie Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Ritchie Block
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 465-473 Main St., Bennington, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1895 |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003060 |
| Added to NRHP | November 6, 1986 |
The Ritchie Block is a cool old building in Bennington, Vermont. It's a historic commercial building, which means it was used for businesses a long time ago. It was built in 1895-1896 and has a special design called Classical Revival. This building is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986!
What Does the Ritchie Block Look Like?
The Ritchie Block is a three-story building made of yellow bricks. You can find it in downtown Bennington, right on Main Street. On the ground floor, there are four storefronts. Each storefront has big display windows and an entrance set back a bit.
The main entrance to the building is in the middle. It has a round arch over the double doors. Above the doors, there's a rounded window. The top two floors have five main sections. These sections are separated by brick columns called pilasters.
The four sections on the sides each have three windows. The middle section, right above the main entrance, has one window on each floor. The very top of the building has a fancy, decorative metal edge. This part is called a cornice.
Who Built the Ritchie Block?
The Ritchie Block was built between 1895 and 1896. A man named Alexander Keith Ritchie had it built. He was an immigrant from Scotland. Mr. Ritchie owned a business that sold things like fabric and clothes. His business was in another building nearby.
In 1891, Alexander Ritchie bought the land where the Ritchie Block now stands. There was an old house on the property. This house was a beautiful Greek Revival style building. Instead of tearing it down, he moved the house! It was turned around and moved to face Union Street.
What Was the Building Used For?
The Ritchie Block was built for businesses on the ground floor. The upper floor had a special purpose. It was designed for the local Masonic lodge. The Masons are a social and charitable organization. They used the space until 1911.
After the Masons left, other groups used the upper floor. Many different social clubs and organizations met there. These included groups like the Elks and the American Legion. The building has been a busy place for over a hundred years!
