4 Haswell Street

The 1890 Hopkins Map lists J. Benoit at this location.[1] The city directory for 1890 lists John Benoit as an employee of Wing and Son and having his house at Haswell Square.[2] The 1902 city directory lists John’s employer as H.R.Wing.[3] By 1910, he is working at W.&D.G. Crane Lumber Co., which was a short walk down the bluff and onto the waterfront. Living with him at the time is Susan Benoit, a widow, and his son John Benoit Jr. who was working for the Burlington Daily News.[4]

The Benoit family was still residing at 4 Haswell Street in 1919. John Sr. had switch jobs to a position with the Baldwin Refrigerator Co. His son was now employed with the Central Vermont Railroad.[5] In 1927, Charles Auer bought the house and his family still owns it. Charles’ father was the contractor for the house.[6]

The two stories, vernacular house has a tri-gable ell plan that is similar to many other homes in the area. A two-story addition with a shed roof was probably added shortly after the house was built in front of the west facing ell.[7] A small entry room with a metal roof and a concrete block foundation sits behind the house and does not appear until much later.[8]