North Hero in Grand Isle County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)
Grand Isle County Courthouse
Photographed By Dennis Gilkenson, July 17, 2020
1. Grand Isle County Courthouse Marker (side 1)
Built in 1824, the Grand Isle County Courthouse was the second county courthouse erected in Vermont. Its location in North Hero reflected the prosperity and stability of the shire town, and the monumental stone edifice embodied the ideals of a governed society as envisioned by Vermont legislators in the early 19th century.
Reflecting prevailing civic design, the Grand Isle County Courthouse served as a prototype for Vermont county courthouses with its prominent site, bell tower, and courtroom spanning the width of the building. The town contributed $500 towards construction to ensure residents’ use of the courtroom as a gathering place. County court was held twice a year, with 20 to 40 cases each term.
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The Grand Isle County Courthouse was masterfully built in the Federal style by Mott, Strong, & Mott. Public subscription supported initial costs and the addition of an iconic bell tower. The construction committee directed the building be finished in regularly coursed ashlar; the limestone was procured from Isle La Motte. It stands as the only extant stone county courthouse in Vermont.
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The addition of a townhouse, church, and landscaped public common to the site in 1866 affirmed this as the political and spiritual center of the community. A jailer’s house was created in the 1867 rear addition; a separate home was added in 1903 when the courthouse was modernized, and Colonial Revival-style detailing added.
Erected 2020 by Vemont Division for Historic Preservation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.
Location. 44° 49.122′ N, 73° 17.364′ W. Marker is in North Hero, Vermont, in Grand Isle County. Marker is on U.S. 2 south of Northland Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3677 Route 2, North Hero VT 05474, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Theodore Roosevelt's Visit to Isle La Motte (approx. 4.1 miles away); Benjamin Franklin (approx. 5.4 miles away in New York); Point Au Roche Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 5½ miles away in New York); Sweet's Ferry (approx. 5½ miles away); Benedict Arnold (approx. 5.8 miles away in New York); The Arts in the Islands/Les Arts dans les îles
Photographed By Dennis Gilkenson, July 17, 2020
2. Grand Isle County Courthouse Marker (side 2)
Photographed By Dennis Gilkenson, July 17, 2020
3. Grand Isle County Courthouse
Seat of Grand Isle County Vermont Superior Court
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2020, by Dennis Gilkenson of Saxtons River, Vermont. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2020, by Dennis Gilkenson of Saxtons River, Vermont. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide angle photo of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
