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Shelburne Rd. Looking North from Intersection with Prospect Pkwy. UTM 18 0642539E, 4924219N |
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| Louis McAllister took this photograph of Shelburne Road October 9, 1935. Facing north, he is standing just north of what was then known as “Englesby Ravine” [1] (where Prospect Parkway now intersects with Shelburne Road). Englesby Brook also crosses Shelburne Road at this point.
The construction project underway in the photograph was NRM Project 102-E. This project included repaving along Shelburne Road from the intersection of Ledge Road south 2,325 feet. [2] Here the men in the picture are laying a binder course of hot-mix asphalt to be rolled over and compressed into smooth driving surface. The metal plate on the back of the large piece of machinery in the photograph reads “Black Top Paver.” Behind the machinery, a first floor window and some of the front porch of #273 Shelburne Road is visible behind a row of large elm trees. This house was built around 1924. According to the Burlington City Directory, the first resident was Paul C. Chamberlin. [3] One of Vermont’s best-known businessmen, he was the president of the Old Bee Hive, which his father purchased in 1880. A notice for the Old Bee Hive in the Burlington Free Press from 1894 advertises dry goods including chiffon, kid gloves, fans, and handkerchiefs. Chamberlin lived at #273 until his death in 1952. [4] Further north along this side of the street is #261 Shelburne Road. It was built around 1923 and in 1935 when this photograph was taken, it was the home of Charles M. Jones, a chauffeur. [5] Beyond this, is #249 Shelburne Road. This residence first appears in the Burlington Directory in 1925. Then, as in 1932 when McAllister took this photograph, it was the home of Daniel W. Overcocker, a general contractor and engineer who ran his business from this residence as well. [6][1] Louis McAllister, "Burlington Street Department Photographs" (Burlington: Bailey-Howe Library Special Collections UVM, ca. 1926-1928). |
The workmen are gone today, as are the elms, though trees still line the road in front of #273 and #261 Shelburne Road. Today #273 remains a private residence and also retains its slate roof, wooden siding, and entry porch. In contrast, #261 is now home to the Ready Funeral Service business, first in the City Directory in 1967. [7] Additions have been made to the back of the building, and a large parking lot now takes up most of the south side of the lawn. Beyond this, #249 remains a residential building.
[7] City Directory, 1967. |
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Historic Burlington Project Depression Era Streetscapes: Old North End | Burlington 1890 | Burlington 1877 | Burlington 1869 | Burlington 1853 | Burlington 1830 Produced by University of Vermont Historic Preservation Program graduate students in HP 206 Researching Historic Structures and Sites - Prof. Thomas Visser - in collaboration with UVM Landscape Change Program Historic images courtesy of University of Vermont Library Special Collections, Louis L. McAllister Photograph Collection |
