University of Vermont

HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM

Community Preservation Research Project

North Street Historic District
Burlington, Vermont

This two story building has had several additions since its construction. The building has a stone foundation, clapboard siding and combination slate and asphalt shingle roof. A Sanborn map from 1889 indicates that the central, two story, 2x2 bay, gable front main block formerly had two symmetrical, two story ells, so the present ell that extends west from the central main block had a similar ell extending east on the opposite side of the building. The surviving wing is approximately four bays wide, and is spanned by a two story porch with turned posts on the first floor and a half wall and posts on the second story. About 1940, the east wing was replaced by a two story, 2x2 bay, gable front block, which faces south and protrudes in front of the original main block. This addition has a pent gable facade and a cornice above the first story storefront which has been altered. A large one story addition was added c. 1960 behind the house. This addition is approximately 4x2 bays in size (about 30 meters), is constructed of concrete block and has a north facing overhead sectional garage door. The windows are mostly 2/2, and some of the surrounds on the older sections of the building have molded lintels that are slightly peaked. The entrance to the store at the southeast corner has been altered. There are several other entries off the front porch of the ell.

This house may have been built as a tenement house during the period after the Civil War when the neighborhood was expanding due to the success of its waterfront lumber industry. Thomas Murphy lived here at the end of the nineteenth century and was probably the owner of the building. In the 1930s and 1940s, Nelson Allen lived here. The present owner, Richard Allen claims that several bodies were exhumed during the expansions of the building.

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