|
 |
 |
106 South Winooski Avenue, The intersection of South Winooski Avenue and College Street is characterized by limited vegetation and buildings of a variety of scales flanking east and west sides of South Winooski Avenue. Overhead utility lines are to the west, while a lantern-style street light marks the eastern corner. The street appears to be two lanes wide with on-street parking on both sides. A cut stone curb lines the street and the adjacent sidewalks. Prominent buildings in this view include 212-214 College, 102 South Winooski, and 106 South Winooski. 212-214 COLLEGE STREET Sited at 212-214 College Street, the Hall Block is a four-story brick building originally constructed in December 1894 by S.P. Saxe & Son(1). A significant feature of the building is its twin towers with pressed metal floral detailing and tall conical roofs at the corners of College and Center Streets and College and South Winooski Avenue. Another significant feature is the large advertisement and mural for “Hall Furniture” on the east façade. The site was originally the location of the Wheeler Block, which burned in 1885(2). After the construction of the Hall Block, George A. Hall occupied the building in 1901(3). Thirty years later in 1931, the Hall Furniture Company, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Headquarters of the 388th Infantry USA, and Patrick Mahoney, dentist utilized the commercial building(4). In 1942, the Hall Furniture Company, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company continued to occupy the building, while the Richmond Office Equipment Inc. was a new tenant that year(5). 102 SOUTH WINOOSKI AVENUE A three story brick rectangular block located at 102 South Winooski houses general offices for the Green Mountain Power Company. The site was occupied by single family residential houses in 1901, when Luther F. Clow resided in a smaller frame dwelling(6). Between 1901 and 1931, the large brick building was constructed. The Green Mountain Power Company occupied the building from 1931 to 1942(7). The building appears to be a vernacular form of Art Deco and has an electric sign on top of the building that reads, “Light, Heat, Power.” 106 SOUTH WINOOSKI AVENUE A small one story gas station occupies the property at 106 South Winooski. The building is constructed with a concrete floor and glass block(8). The gas station is positioned at an angle to the intersection and is surrounded by a lattice fence. One large deciduous tree is between the gas station and the adjacent Green Mountain Power Company building. Originally a block of single-family residential houses in the early 1900s, the gas station was not built until the 1920s or 1930s. In 1931, the property was listed as vacant in the city directory(9). However, by 1942, the Manning Co, gas and oil occupied the site(10). Back to Depression Era Streetscapes.
(1) Blow, David. Historic Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods, Vol. 1 (Chittenden County Historical Society, 2003); 27. (2) Blow, David. Historic Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods, Vol. 1 (Chittenden County Historical Society, 2003); 27. (3) Burlington City Directory, 1901 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). (4) Burlington City Directory, 1931 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). (5) Burlington City Directory, 1942 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). (6) Burlington City Directory, 1901 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). (7) Burlington City Directory, 1931, 1942 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). (8) Sanborn-Perris Map. Burlington, Vermont 1942. (9) Burlington City Directory, 1901 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). (10) Burlington City Directory, 1942 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). |
222 College Street Today the intersection of College Street and South Winooski Avenue retains a feeling of its historic character with some change evident. The Hall Block at 212-214 College Street towers high about the street level. In 1972, occupants of the building included the Intimiate Apparel Shop, Tina’s Fabrics, and Data Processing, Inc (1). In 2002, the building underwent a major restoration(2). Today, North Face, lawyers’ offices, and residential apartments occupy the building. Across the street to the east, is the current Merrill Roxy Cinema. The gas station that was present in the 1940s continued operations into 1971, then called Leonard’s Shell Service Station(3). A decade later, in 1981, the Pizzagalli Construction Company constructed Hoyt’s Nickelodeon on the site of the former gas station(4). The Nickelodeon was the first movie to be constructed in Burlington since the construction of the Flynn on Main Street in the 1930s(5). Since its construction, the movie theater has changed names to Merrill’s Roxy Cinema. The theater is popular for showcasing independent films. Back to Depression Era Streetscapes.
(1) Burlington City Directory, 1972 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). (2) Blow, David. Historic Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods, Vol. 1 (Chittenden County Historical Society, 2003); 27. (3) Burlington City Directory, 1972 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). (4) Blow, David. Historic Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods, Vol. 1 (Chittenden County Historical Society, 2003); 27. (5) Blow, David. Historic Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods, Vol. 1 (Chittenden County Historical Society, 2003); 27. |
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 |