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177 South Union Street J. C. Saxe House, circa 1845   By Walter L. Maros

This rather unusual house, the result of two building programs (Greek Revival circa 1845, with Italianate alterations circa 1870) has been called an extraordinary architectural gem in the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation's survey of S. Union Street. (1) The house's screen of fluted Doric columns "in antis" between the one-story wings at the front of the building provides a stylish sheltered vestibule for the front door. Interestingly, some of the decorative elements from the 1870's alterations, such as the first and second story window lintels, are noted as being made of cast iron. The belvedere with the "bellcast" (concave) mansard roof is another 1870's addition to the house. An early owner of the property, circa 1857, was J.C. Saxe, a distinguished man of many accomplishments: poet, lawyer, newspaper editor, attorney general of Vermont and candidate for governor. (2)