South Royalton Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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South Royalton Historic District
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Centered on Chelsea and Windsor Sts., Royalton, Vermont |
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| Area | 96 acres (39 ha) |
| Built | 1848 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Italianate Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000200 |
| Added to NRHP | September 3, 1976 |
The South Royalton Historic District is a special area in the village of South Royalton, Vermont. It's like a time capsule showing how the village grew. This district became important in the late 1800s. It grew around the train station of the Central Vermont Railway. You can see beautiful old buildings here. They show styles like Greek Revival and Victorian architecture. The famous Vermont Law School is also located in this district. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Contents
Discovering South Royalton's History
Before 1848, the area that is now South Royalton was mostly farmland. Everything changed when the Vermont Central Railroad arrived. A smart mill owner named Daniel Tarbell saw a great opportunity. He realized this spot was perfect for a freight depot. This is where goods would be loaded and unloaded from trains.
How the Village Began
Daniel Tarbell bought land from local farmers. He then started building homes and businesses. By 1855, the village had 28 buildings. Many of these were built in the Greek Revival style. Some of these original buildings are still standing today.
Fires and New Buildings
Fires often swept through the village center. This changed its look over time. A very big fire happened in 1886. It destroyed all the commercial buildings. But the people of South Royalton rebuilt! After this fire, new brick shops were built. These Victorian-style buildings line the northwest side of Chelsea Street. They give the village its unique character today.
Exploring the Historic District
The South Royalton Historic District covers a specific area. It stretches along Chelsea and Windsor Streets for about two blocks. You can also find a few historic properties on Railroad, Safford, and New Streets.
Key Features of the District
To the west, the district ends near the railroad tracks. On the northeastern end of Chelsea Street, there was once a truss bridge. This bridge crossed the White River. It has since been replaced.
The district has several important landmarks:
- The campus of the Vermont Law School is on Chelsea Street.
- There's a line of brick shops in the Italianate style. These are located between Windsor Street and the railroad tracks.
- A lovely park sits at the southwest corner of Windsor and Chelsea Streets.
- The South Royalton House is at the park's southwestern corner. Daniel Tarbell built this as an inn in 1850. It served passengers traveling by train.
