Stagecoach Inn (Leicester, Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stagecoach Inn
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | U.S. 7 and Fern Lake Rd., Leicester, Vermont |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1830 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal, Georgian center hall |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000674 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1984 |
The Stagecoach Inn is a really old and important building in Leicester, Vermont. It stands at the corner of United States Route 7 and Fern Lake Road. Built around 1830, this inn is a great example of a place where travelers used to stay in the 1800s. It was a popular stop for stagecoaches traveling between Rutland and Vergennes.
The inn shows off a cool mix of two old building styles: Federal and Greek Revival. Today, it's a private home. Because of its history and unique style, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This list helps protect important historical places in the United States.
What is a Stagecoach Inn?
Imagine a time before cars, trains, or planes! People traveled by stagecoach. These were like big horse-drawn buses. They carried passengers, mail, and goods between towns. A stagecoach inn was a special place along these routes.
Inns like the Stagecoach Inn offered a place for travelers to rest. They could get a meal, sleep, and change horses. These inns were often busy centers of activity. They were important meeting spots for local people too.
History of the Stagecoach Inn
The exact year the Stagecoach Inn was built isn't perfectly clear. But it was likely started before 1830. It might have first been planned as a store. Later, a local doctor named William Gile bought the building. He finished its construction.
Dr. Gile then opened it as a place for travelers. It became a key stop on the stagecoach route between Rutland and Vergennes. This route is now part of United States Route 7. The inn was a busy spot until 1859. It was a place for people to stay and also a social hub for the community.
After 1859, the building changed. It stopped being an inn for travelers. Instead, it became a general store and even a post office. It served the community in these ways for many years. Later, in the 20th century, it was turned into a private home.
Moving the Inn
The Stagecoach Inn has been around for a long time. It has seen many changes. In 1977, the building was actually moved! It was carefully shifted back from the main highway, US 7. It was also turned 90 degrees.
Why move such an old building? Its original spot was very close to the main road. This made it hard for drivers on Fern Lake Road to see oncoming traffic. Moving the inn made the intersection safer for everyone. Even after the move, the inn stayed on its original 5-acre lot.
