 |
he Main Street Tour identifies and describes 17 sites in a wide range of building
types and architectural styles, predominantly from the mid to late 19th century.
Several residences are included, as well as public and commercial buildings.
Site
|
#
on
Map
|
Date
Built
|
Main
Street Depot
7 Main |
1 |
1880 |
French
Block
32-64 Main |
2 |
1875 |
City
Hall
39 Main |
3 |
1901-11 |
Blanchard
Block
67-77 Main |
4 |
1833/1834
and 1890 |
Willard
Block
81 Main |
5 |
1840 |
| 2
State |
6 |
1826 |
| 90-98
Main |
7 |
1900 |
Unitarian
Church
134 Main |
8 |
1865 |
Kellogg-Hubbard
Library
135 Main |
9 |
1894-5 |
| 136
Main |
10 |
late 1860s |
Methodist
Church
137 Main |
11 |
1874 |
Brock
House
138 Main |
12 |
1876 |
| 140
Main |
13 |
pre-1850 |
| 146
Main |
14 |
1832-1854 |
| 145
Main |
15 |
1817 |
The Inn at Montpelier
147 Main |
16 |
1850 |
Prentiss
House
28 School |
17 |
early 1800s |
Link to Main Street Tour Map at the bottom of this page.
-- Click on the photos for a larger version of the image --
Main Street
Depot - #1 (c.1880)
7 Main Street
 This
charming three story building was an impressive depot for the Montpelier and Wells
River Railroad and the Vermont Central, which connected the capital city to the
White Mountains. Eight regular trains arrived daily as well as additional freight
trains transporting lumber and granite. Built after two extensive downtown fires
in 1875, it was an impressive three story building when most depots were one story
with a cupola. The building features rounded windows topped with decorative cornices,
granite keystones and intricate brick corbelling at the top. Most of the doors
on the first floor have become windows, but the platform and roof remain.
French
Block - #2 et al (1875)
32-64 Main Street (across from City Hall)
This block of buildings was built to replace a group lost in two disastrous fires
earlier that year. The first fire in March started on the far right and spread
to the next two buildings, going south, then moved across the back lots to State
Street. Nine buildings were destroyed. The second fire in May began on Main Street
and leveled 38 buildings. Reconstruction began almost immediately, with the largest
block being built by James G. French. At first glance the blocks look quite similar;
however, closer scrutiny reveals different kinds of corbelling below the cornice
and varying window treatment. Note the cast metal heads topping off the windows
on one building.
City Hall
- #3 (1901-11)
39 Main Street
The Montpelier City Hall cost $170,000 to build and is Italian Renaissance style.
Built with yellow brick and granite trim, it includes a portico with three large
arches set against a frieze of carved granite. The arch is repeated twice over
the central window and in the top section of the clock tower. Visit the historical
picture displays inside.
Blanchard
Block - #4 (1833-1834 and 1890)
67-77 Main Street
 This
impressive block still dominates this section of Montpelier. It was the first
and tallest example of this type of commercial architecture which remains a major
component of so many "downtowns" in America. The architect, George Guernsey,
designed attractive storefronts, as well as a full-sized auditorium known as the
Blanchard Opera House. Unusually fine musical entertainment graced the stage largely
because it was located between Boston and Montreal and seated 800 people. The
building was extended on the right to provide a larger stage and space for Brooks
Post G.A.R, but by 1910 the hall closed permanently, heralding the coming of the
movie pictures. The upper floors are now all used for offices and apartments;
practically no evidence remains of the stage and galleries.
Willard
Block - #5 (c. 1840)
81 Main Street
 This
building has features of both the Greek Revival and Federal styles in vogue around
1840. Built of brick laid in the Flemish Bond pattern, it has cornices decorated
with a delicate, single strand of dentils. The triangle of the gable is repeated
twice in a relief pattern in the brick. The windows have granite sills and lintels.
The extended first floor store fronts date from a later period.
2 State
Street - #6 (1826)
 This
early Federal brick structure is the only commercial building of its type left
today in the city. Note the parapet gables, raking roof, and twelve over twelve
windows. It is fortunate that this building escaped the 1875 fires. Similar buildings
on two of the other corners of this intersection were razed to make way for "progress".
This building was restored in the 1970s.
90-98 Main
Street and Langdon Street - #7 (1900)
 This
building is the cornerstone for James R. Langdon's urban development. This substantial
brick edifice with its massive granite quoins and solid shape reflected the owner's
position in the community. The inset portico features granite columns and other
examples of fine stonework done by local craftsmen. The center and corner doorways
and right storefront window were enclosed in the 1970s. Built in the same brick
and granite design are two other buildings around the corner on either side of
Langdon Street. They were intended for retail use in the new shopping complex
and have large display windows. However, they repeat the cornice lines, quoins,
and proportions, and read as a highly successful attempt at early urban planning.
Unitarian
Church - #8 (1865)
134 Main Street
 This
church is the oldest church still standing in Montpelier. The steeple incorporates
the watchtower style of the famous architect, 
Charles Bullfinch, and the spire is reminiscent of the work of Christopher Wren.
Featured are tall windows, interlocking block (quoins) at the corner which lend
weight to the facade, and narrow clapboards. The door is simplistic with classical
lines and curves. It was originally painted gray. Inside, the windows are hand
painted with a leaf-and-grape pattern. The organ and choir loft were moved to
the front of the church in 1891. Thomas W. Silloway of Boston was the architect
(see the State Capitol on the State Street
tour). The rear is a recent addition.
Kellogg-Hubbard
Library - #9 (1894-1895)
135 Main Street
Website: http://www.kellogghubbard.lib.vt.us
The library was built of rough granite blocks, and the two story pilasters flanking
the entrance are the same material. The columns flanking the portico and second
story balcony are of pink North Conway granite, with a balustrade topping it all
off. Inside, there is a generous use of oak and marble in wainscotting, stairways,
and fireplaces. This Italian Renaissance library building was paid for by John
E. Hubbard who had inherited a sizeable fortune from his uncle and aunt, the Martin
Kelloggs of New York City. The library operated with an endowment fund until recently,
and has always been free.
136 Main
Street - #10 (late 1860s)
 Relatively
unchanged since it was built, this French Second Empire home was built by a prosperous
merchant. Soon after completion his three wooden buildings on Main Street were
destroyed in the great 1875 fires. He then built the French Block, The distinctive
features here include the bell-cast mansard roof, supporting brackets, roof dormers,
and heavy window cornices. Its projecting central section with Gothic windows
tower above the mansard roof and encompasses the front door with a hood.
Methodist
Church - #11 (1874)
137 Main Street
The Methodist Church took 6.5 years to build and was completed at a cost of $30,000.
Some of the stained glass windows, as well as the 10 chimes, were added later.
The largest Protestant sanctuary in the city, it seats 700 people, and when first
built allowed ample room for students at the Methodist Seminary (see College Hall
on the College Street tour).
Brock House
- #12 (1876)
138 Main Street
 This
sturdy, yet graceful home of the Victorian era was built soon after the disastrous
downtown fires, and the brick structure with slate roof reflected the mood of
the day. James Brock, banker and businessman, included a slate mansard roof, granite
foundation, with unusual metal window casings and a corner pillar - all to give
the house strength. Its gabled dormers and corner tower lend grace. Inside, the
ceilings are high and the woodwork is elegant. A ballroom was located on the third
floor. Apartments and offices now occupy the house and rear carriage barn.
140 Main
Street - #13 (pre-1850)
 The
original Greek Revival house had front porches on the first and second floors
and a pediment containing two double hung windows. Both porches had matching doors
on the right side. In 1910, the second floor porch was removed and the door was
replaced with a large window. Also added were the recessed porch in the pediment,
the two dormers, the south bay window in place of a door, and the two-story brick
octagonal solarium with deck and railing. Fine interior mahogany paneling and
stained glass windows decorate this fine residence which is now used for offices.
146 Main
Street - #14 (1832-1854)
 Yet
another example of the Greek Revival style, this home features Flemish Bond brick,
a front portico supported by fluted columns with Ionic capitals, and plaid stained
glass windows surrounding the doorway. Built by a prominent merchant named Storres,
it once was the garden site of 144 Main Street.
145 Main
Street - #15 (c.1817)
Contributing to the charm and dignity of the gracious homes on Main Street is
this early Federal, hip-roofed building. Fine details include the decorated frieze
below the cornice, a lovely Doric portico, and raised corner and wall pilasters.
The central chimney serves four fireplaces. It may indeed have been built earlier
than 1817.
The Inn
at Montpelier - #16 (c.1850)
147 Main Street
Website: http://www.innatmontpelier.com
Graceful, orderly, and symmetrical describe this brick home in the Federal Style,
with double chimneys, a handsome doorway with sidelights, and granite lintels
accenting the windows. This simple appearance was altered and to a certain extent
obscured when the imposing Classical Revival piazza was added in answer to a later
and more extravagant taste. It is the work of an expert carpenter, with slender
Corinthian columns in groups of three, and delicate spindles with strands of dentils
on the porch cornice. The large apartment building at the rear of the house was
originally a barn for this residence built by James R. Langdon (see 90-98 Main
Street and Langdon Street - further up the page).
Prentiss
House - #17 (early 1800s)
28 School Street
 Like
many early Montpelier buildings, this home was moved from its original location
when the land was needed for another project, the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Originally
facing Main Street, this Federal home was later "modernized" by the
addition of the Greek Revival features of the portico, Ionic columns, and the
two story extension on the west side. Prentiss was a prominent attorney and Chief
Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court who became a State Senator and raised 10
sons, all who became lawyers.
Main Street
Walking Tour Map - back to top
Tour text is copyrighted, 1991, Montpelier
Heritage Group. Used with permission.
Updated April 2003 |
