Standing in the intersection of North Winooski Avenue and Archibald Street today, very little of the built environment that appeared in 1932 still remains. Although the old Fassett’s Bakery building still stands despite much remuddling (insert link to discussion about building), the George and Elaine Little Park now occupies the space where #299 once stood.

The building, which had its address changed to #287, housed a string of grocers from 1940 until 1959 when, after a year of vacancy, Sol’s Delicatessen moved in and operated here until 1966.[1] In 1969, a general construction company moved into the building, but by the late 1970s, #287 had slid into a string of vacancies and spotty tenants.[2] By 1995, the structure was considered abandoned and the Burlington Community Land Trust purchased the building, demolished it and erected the George and Elaine Little Park in 1996, spending over $250,000 on the project.[3] In conjunction with the demolition of #287, the section of Bright Street that formerly ran between Archibald and North Winooski Avenue was closed to traffic, although the houses fronting it still bear Bright Street addresses.

Notice the web of utility wires suspended over the intersection today. Although there were fewer wires in 1932, those that were hung were slightly lower and shielded from view by the canopy of elm leaves they traveled under.