Vermont House and Fenton Grain Elevator facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Vermont House and Fenton Grain Elevator
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| Location | 302 and 234 N. Leroy St., Fenton, Michigan |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1855 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001853 |
| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1980 |
The Vermont House (also known as the Fenton Hotel) and the Fenton Grain Elevator are two important buildings in Fenton, Michigan. They stand next to each other on North Leroy Street. Both buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 because of their history.
Contents
The Fenton Hotel: A Look Back
In 1855, a new train line opened in Fenton, bringing many travelers. To welcome these visitors, two local business owners, Mr. Seed and Mr. Flint, started building a hotel. The Vermont House opened its doors in mid-1856.
Who Owned the Hotel?
Seed and Flint managed the hotel until 1868. Then, a local restaurant owner named Abner Roberts bought it. He changed its name to the Hotel Fenton. Over the years, the hotel had many different owners. Major L. L. Andress bought it in 1887. Later, Henry Hurd purchased it in 1898.
In the early 1900s, Mrs. L. R. Peer bought the hotel in 1905. Arthur Domanois took over in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. O'Rielly became the owners in 1945. In the 1970s, Kurt Hartman and John Laffrey owned it, followed by Harvey Gammage in 1977. Nick and Peggy Sorise bought the hotel in 1997.
What Was the Hotel Used For?
The Fenton Hotel was a busy place. It served people traveling by train and was also a popular spot for the local community. Many wedding parties and other celebrations took place there.
Even though the guest rooms upstairs closed in the mid-1900s, the restaurant on the first floor is still open today. As of 2018, it is known as the Fenton Hotel Tavern & Grille.
The Fenton Grain Elevator: Its Story
In 1865, J. R. Mason built the Fenton Grain Elevator. It was located right across the street from the hotel. The elevator was very successful.
Who Owned the Elevator?
Mason sold the elevator to D. G. Colwell and E. M. Adams in 1867. By the 1880s, this elevator handled about 20% of all the wheat grown in Genesee County!
Later, the elevator was sold to Mssrs. Smith and Stoner. In the 1890s, Burdick Potter bought it and used it for storage for many years. In the 1900s, the Michigan Bean Company and Big Acre Lumber Store used the building. By 1980, the Michigan Craft and Artisan Foundation used the elevator.
In 2015, SkyPoint Ventures bought the building and updated it. Red Fox Outfitters, an outdoor gear store, moved into the building later that year.
The Fenton Hotel: What It Looks Like
The main part of the Fenton Hotel is a three-story building made of brick. It has a flat roof and sits right on the sidewalk. Its windows are simple rectangles with stone tops. A simple brick design goes around the top of the building.
A two-story wooden addition was built in 1882. It has a pointed roof and is attached to one side. A one-story brick kitchen is attached at the back.
Inside, the first floor has a lobby, a bar, and a dining room. The upper floors have meeting rooms and guest rooms.
The Fenton Grain Elevator: What It Looks Like
The Fenton grain elevator is across the street from the Fenton Hotel. It is made of wood and covered with vertical or horizontal siding. It sits on a stone foundation.
The building is mostly rectangular. Some parts are two stories tall, while others are three and a half stories tall. It has an interesting shape with different roof styles, including pointed and sloped roofs.
On the side facing the street, there is an entrance door on the first floor. There are also four windows on the second floor. On the side of the building, there are three sets of large double doors. These were originally used for carts loaded with grain.
