Rutland Downtown Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rutland Downtown Historic District
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View of buildings located near the plaza.
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Strongs Ave., State, Wales, Washington, Pine and Cottage Sts., City of Rutland in Vermont |
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| Architect | Frank Lyman Austin |
| Architectural style | Art Deco, Italianate, Modernistic |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000387 |
| Added to NRHP | August 22, 1980 |
The Rutland Downtown Historic District is a very important part of Rutland, Vermont. It is the main center for the city's government and many businesses. This area is also known as the most cultural part of Rutland.
Many buildings here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are special because of their history. About 90 buildings in the district are considered "contributing properties," which means they add to its historic value. Some of these buildings are very old, dating back to the late 1700s when Rutland was first settled.
The downtown area grew a lot after 1850. This was when the marble industry became very big in Rutland. The city's population grew three times larger between 1850 and 1880. Many buildings built during this time used marble in their design.
Discovering Downtown Rutland's Past
Rutland's downtown area has a rich history. While some buildings are from the late 1700s, the biggest growth happened in the mid-1800s. This was thanks to the booming marble industry.
Marble quarries brought many new people to Rutland. The city needed more homes, shops, and offices. This led to a building boom, and many of the beautiful structures you see today were built during this time. They often feature marble, showing off the city's main industry.
The Story of Rutland's Paramount Theater
In the 1890s, arts like music, writing, and theater became very popular in Rutland. A local writer named Julia Caroline Dorr helped make people appreciate the arts even more. Her father had built the first Rutland Opera House. After a fire destroyed it, he rebuilt it.
In 1913, another theater called the Playhouse was built by George Chaffee. Its outside looked like a classic building, fitting the "City Beautiful" style of that time. The inside was decorated in a fancy way, like an old Victorian era opera house.
The Playhouse changed its name to The Paramount in 1931. It stopped showing live performances and started showing movies instead. The movie theater closed in 1975. But in 1999, a group of local people started working to bring the theater back to its original look. The Paramount Theater reopened in March 2000. Today, it is a busy place for art, culture, and educational events.
Exciting Events in Downtown Rutland
Downtown Rutland is a lively place with many events happening all year!
- Winter Fun: When winter comes, the plaza lights up with a big Christmas tree and Christmas lights. Santa Claus often helps with the lighting! You might see a magician perform, and kids can even line up to meet Santa. There's also hot chocolate and fun wagon rides.
- Summer Nights: During the summer, "Friday Night Live" happens every week. This is a public event where you can enjoy entertainment, go shopping, and eat at local restaurants.
- Crowley Road Race: Every June, on a Sunday morning, the annual Crowley Road Race takes place. This event includes a 10-kilometer (6.2 mi) run, a 5-kilometer (3.1 mi) run, and a special mile run just for children.
