Vergennes Residential Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Vergennes Residential Historic District
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | S. Water St., Green St., S. Maple St.-S of Main St., Vergennes, Vermont |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1823 |
| Architectural style | Federal, Greek Revival, et al. |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000395 |
| Added to NRHP | May 8, 2003 |
The Vergennes Residential Historic District is a special neighborhood in Vergennes, Vermont. It's like a time capsule showing how houses looked in the 1800s and early 1900s. You can find it on Water, Maple, and Green Streets. This area has homes that belonged to all kinds of people, from factory owners to everyday workers. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. This means it's an important place to protect because of its history.
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Exploring Vergennes's Past
The city of Vergennes was first settled in the 1760s. It really started to grow in the 1780s. This is when it became one of Vermont's first industrial towns. The city is located by a bend in Otter Creek. There's a 37-foot (11 m) waterfall there. This waterfall was perfect for powering mills and factories. Vergennes also sat at the crossing point of two main stagecoach routes. This made it an important travel hub.
How Vergennes Grew
Vergennes became an official city in 1788. Sawmills and gristmills were built first. These mills used the creek's water power. Later, other types of factories also opened. The city kept growing throughout the 1800s. The area south of Main Street became a neighborhood for homes. People from all walks of life lived here. Their houses showed different styles popular at the time.
Homes with History
Many houses in the district are in the Greek Revival style. This style often looks like ancient Greek temples. There are also many Italianate homes. These often have wide eaves and tall, narrow windows. Many homes also have later Victorian decorations. These additions made the houses look even more fancy. The district also has two churches. One is the Congregational Church. The other is St. Peter's Catholic Church. St. Peter's is a large brick building with a High Gothic style.
Where the District Is Located
The Vergennes Residential Historic District stretches south from Main Street. It follows three roads: Water Street, Maple Street, and Green Street. Along Water Street, it goes almost to Roberts Street. On Maple Street, it reaches about halfway between King and Victory Streets. On Green Street, it extends to King Street. The district also includes buildings on the smaller streets that connect these main roads. It does not include buildings that face Main Street itself.
