West Brattleboro Green Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Brattleboro Green Historic District
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First Congregational Church, West Brattleboro
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | 870–950 Western Ave., 19–35 South St., and town common., Brattleboro, Vermont |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1785 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate, et al. |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000675 |
| Added to NRHP | June 24, 2002 |
The West Brattleboro Green Historic District is a special area in the village of West Brattleboro, Vermont. It covers the old, important center of the village. This area is built around a triangular green space where South Street and Western Avenue meet. It includes a group of buildings that were built between about 1800 and 1910. In 2002, this historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of important historical sites.
Discovering West Brattleboro's History
The village of West Brattleboro is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of downtown Brattleboro. It's mainly found around the spot where Western Avenue (Vermont Route 9), Bonnyvale Road, and South Street all come together. Western Avenue is a main road that goes across southern Vermont from east to west. Bonnyvale Road and South Street help people get to the more rural parts of the town.
What Makes the District Special?
Western Avenue runs next to and south of Whetstone Brook. Most of the village is built along this road. Where Western Avenue meets South Street, there's a triangular island of land. This is where the village common, or public green space, is located. The historic district includes the buildings that face this common. It stretches from Bonnyvale Road south along Western Avenue to George F. Miller Drive. It also goes a little bit south of the common on South Street.
How West Brattleboro Grew Over Time
West Brattleboro was home to the town's second church, which was built in 1785. Because of this church, the area quickly became a popular stop for travelers going east or west. In 1818, the roads were changed and moved around. This is when the triangular common was created. The original church was also moved to where the current First Congregational Church stands today.
The First Congregational Church was built in 1845. Later, in the 1880s, it got some new Italianate style added to it. This church is the biggest and most noticeable building in the village. While there are a few older buildings, most of them were built between 1840 and 1910. These are mostly wooden buildings that show off the popular architectural styles from the mid-to-late 1800s. Other important buildings include a tall former hotel and a two-story business building. Both of these are on the north side of Western Avenue.
