West Dover, Vermont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Dover Village Historic District
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rt. 100, Valley View, Cross Town, Parsonage, Dorr Fitch, and Bogle Rds., Dover, Vermont |
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| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Built | 1805 |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Italianate, Cape |
| NRHP reference No. | 85003381 |
| Added to NRHP | October 24, 1985 |
West Dover is a charming village located in the central part of Dover, Vermont. This historic spot is found in Windham County, Vermont. The heart of the village, right on Vermont Route 100, is so special that it was named the West Dover Historic District in 1985. This means its old buildings and unique history are protected! West Dover is also a popular stop for visitors heading to the nearby Mount Snow ski area. The village's special mail code is 05356.
Exploring West Dover Village
West Dover is in the south-central part of Dover. It stretches along Vermont Route 100. This road follows the North Branch of the Deerfield River. The main part of the village is along Route 100. It runs between Cross Town Road to the northwest and Dorr Fitch Road to the southeast. Soon after Dorr Fitch Road, Route 100 crosses the river. Then it turns south towards Wilmington, Vermont.
A Look Back in Time: West Dover's History
West Dover was first settled in 1796. At that time, this area was part of Wardsboro, Vermont. It became part of Dover when the town officially started in 1810. The village grew a lot in the 1800s. This was thanks to mills built along the river.
The very first mill was a sawmill, built in 1796. It was later made bigger to process wool. This wool mill helped the village's economy for the first half of the 19th century. Sadly, the mill complex was destroyed by a fire in 1901. This ended that part of the village's economic life.
Today, only small traces of the old mill complex remain. But West Dover still has many beautiful old buildings. These include Federal and Greek Revival style homes. They give the village its unique and historic feel. In the 1900s, West Dover changed again. People from other states started buying farms here for fun and recreation. Also, nearby ski areas grew very popular. This brought new life and visitors to the village.
