The Montpelier Meadow neighborhood is one of Montpelier's major late 19th-century suburbs, tucked between the hill of Hubbard Park and the Winooski River.
The heart of the Meadow is located about 3/4 mile from downtown Montpelier, an easy walk or bike ride into town.
Follows a history of the Meadow, summarized from records from the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation.
Originally most of this land west of Elm St. was part of Roger Hubbard's farm (purchased in 1814), during which time it was known as "Hubbard's Meadow." In 1850, Erastus Hubbard assumed his father's businesses and farm and began developing the Meadow into a working class neighborhood. He did this by building tenements, and selling lots to private homeowners. Most residents were laborers, small businessmen, and craftsmen.
Between 1873 and 1898, water and sewer lines were laid, sidewalks constructed, and several streets added. After Hubbard's death in 1898, the undeveloped lots were sold off by his son John, until his own death in 1905. The dissolution of John's estate preceded the final burst of building. Many of the larger homes were built right around this time.
Today, nearly 80 buildings dating from before 1915 remain, many little changed, and many others showing the marks of remodeling after the 1927 flood. The Meadow remains a closely knit neighborhood with much of the same flavor and all the heterogeneity of its early days.
(Posted with thanks to Ron Wild, former owner of 14 Winter St., for sharing these notes with me.)
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