Grove Street: South to Bridge UTM: 180644361E; 4927290N |
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 Sarah L. Graulty October 29, 2006 |
In this photograph, dated November 21, 1940, Louis McAllister documents both the recently completed Grove Street Bridge, finished in September 1938, and the subsequent Grove Street paving project. From this standpoint, looking south across the bridge, we can see both the Wilfred. C. Kirby garage on the left and the Charles A. Kirby homestead on the right. W. C. Kirby, who lived at north of this point at 63 Grove Street, ran a trucking and construction company that was expanding in size and scope during this time. The Burlington directory suggests that throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Kirby's business grew from "trucking" to "ready mix concrete, contractor, and excavating" in 1954[1], the approximate year of his death. His wife, Mrs. Madeleine F. Kirby, continued as administrator of the estate after 1956[2] and the Burlington directory suggests that the plant continued operation at 100 Grove Street until approximately 1974. The property on the right is the home of Charles A. Kirby, a market gardener. Kirby's house first appears in the Burlington directory in 1920. In 1940, the year this photo was taken, Kirby lived in the house with several of his relatives including Ernest R. Kirby, a laborer, Leo Kirby, a truck driver, Leroy D. Kirby, a laborer, and Percy W. Kirby, a salesman. [3]
[1] Burlington City Directory, 1954 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986) |
This contemporary photograph reveals the primary changes that have taken place since 1940. Perhaps most noticeable is the significantly altered Grove Street Bridge, which is barely noticeable because of the missing parapet walls and other significant structures. For more photos of the bridge and a description, please click here. In addition, we see the development of the former Wilfred C. Kirby plant at 100 Grove Street, on the left. The Burlington Directory last lists the W. C. Kirby Company at this address in the early 1970s. By 1975-76, S. D. Ireland Concrete Construction Corp. was reported in the Burlington directory at this location, where they still operate today. Their company buildings, which replaced the Kirby buildings seen on the 1940 image, are clearly visible on the left in the above photo, taken October 29, 2006. Although it is difficult to discern through the thick vegetation, the Charles A. Kirby homestead, formerly at 99 Grove Street, had been removed. The Burlington directory suggests that C. A. Kirby died between 1949 and 1951. It appears that following his death, Kirby's widow, Myrtle B. Kirby, and son Leroy moved to 510 Patchen Road, just over the city line in South Burlington. Son Ernest remained at 99 Grove for several years but by 1956, 99 Grove Street is no longer listed in the Burlington directory. |
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 |
