Wait Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wait Block
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The Wait Block is the brick building at the center of this photo
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Near jct. of Main and Bonnet Sts., Manchester Center Village, Manchester, Vermont |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001327 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1996 |
The Wait Block is a special old building in Manchester Center, Vermont. It sits on Main Street, which is also known as Vermont Route 7A. This building was constructed between 1884 and 1885.
It's a great example of a style called Italianate design. This means it has a look inspired by Italian architecture. The Wait Block is made from strong brick and beautiful marble. It's famous for surviving a big fire in 1893 that destroyed many other buildings in the area. Because of its history, the Wait Block was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Contents
What Does the Wait Block Look Like?
The Wait Block is right in the middle of Manchester Center's shopping area. You can find it on the south side of Main Street, just east of where Main Street and Bonnet Street (Vermont Route 30) meet. It's a three-story building made of brick.
Key Features of the Wait Block
The building has a flat roof and is decorated with marble. The front of the building has three arched sections. These sections are separated by brick columns. The middle section is a bit narrower than the two on the sides.
Windows and Entrance Details
The windows on the upper floors have rounded tops. They are decorated with marble pieces that look like keystones and ears. The main door is in the middle section. It is set back a bit, creating a cozy entrance. On either side of the door, there are large glass display windows. These also have rounded tops. Near the flat roof, there's a simple decoration made of bricks.
The History of the Wait Block Building
The Wait Block was built for a man named Clark Wait. He owned the local drug store in town. Construction started in 1884 and finished in 1885.
Who Lived and Worked Here?
For about 100 years, the ground floor of the Wait Block was always a drug store. The person who owned the store usually lived in the apartments on the floors above. This was a common way for business owners to live close to their work.
Surviving the Great Fire of 1893
A very important part of the Wait Block's story is that it survived the big fire in 1893. This fire destroyed many wooden buildings in the business district. The Wait Block, being made of brick, was strong enough to stand through it.
Why the Wait Block is Unique
The building was constructed when Manchester Center was doing well economically. However, the town's industries started to decline around the time of the fire. Because of this, no other buildings as large or grand as the Wait Block were built in the village after that time. This makes the Wait Block a truly unique and important part of Manchester Center's history.
