This project included repaving of Shelburne Road from the junction of Bayview Street to the north, south to the intersection with Shelburne Road (visible in this image).  A seven-inch concrete base and two inches of asphalt wearing surfaced were used in the paving, and concrete gutters were also added.  The total project cost $17,508.09.  According to City Engineer George C. Stanley, “the extra expense was well warranted and will pay for itself several times over by longer life and less maintenance.” [1]

The house at the center of the photograph is #44 Shelburne Street. This two-storey house is crammed into the small triangular lot where Shelburne Road and South Willard Street come together.  Its large porch crowds the sidewalk along Shelburne Street to the left.  Built around 1900 it was the home of Willis D. Phelps and his wife Lillie.  Willis was the owner of Redstone Quarry further down Shelburne Road. [2] The quarry, purchased by UVM in 1958 is still accessible at the end of Alfred and Hoover Streets along Shelburne Road. [3] By 1932, when this photograph was taken, Lillie had been widowed and was living there alone. [4]

In front of the house, is a “silent policeman” with the sign “Slow to Right.”  This was the only means of directing traffic at this difficult intersection in 1932.  To the right, cement steps are visible leading up to the All Saint’s Chapel, now a Greek Orthodox Church across the street and to the left #521 South Union Street is just visible in the background.  Also dominating the photograph are elm trees lining South Willard Street.

[1] Burlington City Annual Report, 1932. p. 212-213.
[2] Burlington City Directory 1904 (Burlington: Hiram S. Hart, 1896-1915).
[3] David J. Blow, Historic Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods, Vol. 1 (Burlington: Chittenden County Historical Society, 1997), 78.
[4] Burlington City Directory, 1932 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986).

Also startling, is the loss of the house at #44 Shelburne Street. The small green space of lawn has been replaced with pavement and the building removed.  The house here was demolished in 1936 to make way for the South End Service Station.  The site remained a Texaco gas station under several different owners until the early sixties at which the City Directory lists several short-lived businesses at the site including a Drug Store, Variety Store, and even Butcher Shop.  The present building, while mostly obscured from view in this photograph, is a Century 21 Real Estate Office, which opened in 1980. [5]  

Traffic flow at this intersection has also changed dramatically since 1932.  Today white and yellow lines delineate clear lanes for north and southbound cars.  The silent policeman is gone, replaced by a raised traffic circle, which was constructed in 1936.  Vehicles parked along the street and driving along the road attest to the greater traffic volume. 

[5] City Directory 1936-1980.