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The former Solomon Block at 196-202 North Street at the corner of Elmwood Avenue, March 13, 1940. (18T 0642019 UTM 4927270)
Louis McAllister made a number of photographs at the corner of North Street and Elmwood Avenue in the 1930’s and 40’s. This is one of the later images of this important intersection. Taken on March 13, 1940 this image offers a lasting representation of the structure that once occupied the northern corner of a major Old North End crossroads. From the late 19th century
[1]
until 1978 this two-story commercial block with a three-story façade
[2]
housed a myriad of North End business, from barbershops to grocery stores, and from restaurants and charitable organizations.
[3]
With three individual storefront on the street level and a number of apartments above, the structure served the Old North End for the nearly three quarters of a century until arson claimed the building in the early morning hours on October 23, 1978.
[4]
Sadly, Margaret Smith, the cousin of the buildings owner, Abraham Solomon, died as result of injuries suffered during the blaze and the crime remains unsolved today.
[5]
Also visible in this image is the two-story gable-roofed house at 188 North Street. Built circa 1885, the building displays a projecting bay window with its own gable roof, a decorative slate work on the roof.
[1]
Sanborn-Perris Map. Burlington, Vermont. 1889 and 1894 [2] (no author given) “Fire Ravages Solomon Block, At Least 3 Persons Injured,” Burlington Free Press, October 23, 1978, 1B. [3] Burlington City Directory, 1930, 1932, 1940 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986). [4] (no author given) “Fire Ravages Solomon Block, At Least 3 Persons Injured,” Burlington Free Press, October 23, 1978, 1B. [5] (no author given) “Fire Victim Succumbs,” Burlington Free Press, October 26, 1978, 1A.
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Empty lot near 194 North Street at the corner of Elmwood Avenue, October 2005. (18T 0642019 UTM 4927270) In the current photograph, a dramatically different street corner is shown. The loss of such an anchor building illustrates how a streetscape can change significantly with one tragic act. The empty lot creates a hole in both the physical business district as well as the feeling of the street. A street corner once serving as a social gathering spot for neighbors, now offers “no parking” signs and loose gravel. A mural painted on the rear corner of the brick wall that was part of the former Solomon Block presents a hopefully message; a person places heart-shaped objects on a conveyor belt, presumably sending good will out into the world. |
North Street between North Champlain Street and Elmwood Avenue
Historic Burlington Project 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 Louis L. McAllister Photograph Collection University of Vermont Library Special Collections |