207-215 College Street

The Leavenworth Block
(currently the Executive Block),
1847

 

By R. F. Panepinto

This commercial block was built in 1847 for Henry Leavenworth, a lawyer, at a cost $20,000. The location was chosen because of its proximity to a proposed railroad on the site of the present fire station on Winooski Avenue. When the proposed depot was moved to Maple Street, land values dropped precipitously. Leavenworth sold the building in 1860 for $5200. (1)

The three-story building is divided into four sections by what appear to be piers. Each section is three bays wide and has retail space on the first floor. Brick load bearing walls rest on a stone foundation. Examination of the front and side façades is not possible because of siding applied in the mid-70's. The rear of the building shows stone sills and lintels on delivery entrances. Windows show flat arches. (2)


(1) Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, Vermont Historic Sites and Structures Survey, College Street, (Montpelier, VT, Division for Historic Preservation, n.d.).

(2) Blow, David J., Historic Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods Vol. I, (Chittendon County Historical Society: Queen City Printers, 1991).