South Union Street: South from Maple Street
UTM: 180642463E; 4925995N

Louis L. McAllister
1930

Sarah L. Graulty
December 7, 2006

Louis McAllister captured this image looking south on South Union Street near its intersection with Maple Street in 1930 during the rail removal process following the city’s transition from streetcars to busses. The funds for this removal and resurfacing work on South Union were provided by the Burlington Rapid Transit Company, who paid $1330.00 to the city in 1930.[1] The 1930 Annual Report notes that the street department took up rails and brick liners and laid down a “stone-filled-sheet-asphalt surface”[2] on South Union from the Main Street intersection to the south side of Adams Street. In this image, the some of the rails have been removed, and loose brick liners are scattered in the median.

The most visible building in the photograph is the Greek Revival house on the right side of the street, 253 South Union. The South Union Street Historic District National Register nomination dates the structure to 1848 and claims that it was built by William G. Shaw, a local lawyer and businessman, for his son, Henry.[3] A 2.5-story ell extends north from the house’s main block towards the camera lens, and the building also has a 2-story ell to the south. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps indicate that a rear addition was also added to the building between 1889 and 1894.[4] An Italianate treatment (obscured here by a tree trunk but visible in the contemporary image) was later added to the south sidehall entrance. In 1930, the time of this photograph, the Burlington directory lists Henry B. Shaw as the resident of 253 South Union Street.

253 South Union’s two neighbors to the south, #257 and #271-275, are visible in this picture, but can be seen more clearly in another McAllister photograph taken on the same day from a different viewpoint. [CLICK HERE.] Please note the fire hydrant on the right side of the street just past the nearest parked car: this marks the street’s intersection with Adams Street.

Only one house is clearly discernable on the left side of the street: the J. M. McGeary house at 266 South Union Street. The most prominent feature captured in McAllister’s photograph is a Colonial Revival porch with Doric columns, single at the walls and paired at the porch corners. This chateauesque house was built for J. M. McGeary, a Burlington alderman and traveling salesman, in 1896. The Burlington Free Press commented on April 30, 1896 that “W. R. B. Willcox has just completed plans for a handsome residence to be built by J. W. McGeary…”[5] The South Union Street Historic District National Register nomination notes that plans by Willcox still exist for the house. McGeary’s widow, Emma E. W. McGeary, lived in the house after his death on December 14, 1903, until 1910, at which time the Burlington directory also lists Smith F. Henry at this address. On April 19, 1922, the Burlington Free Press reported that “Yesterday P. M. Smith F. Henry committed suicide by shooting himself… failing in health for two years.”[6] Henry’s widow, Minnie L. Henry, stayed in the house after his death and was in residence in 1930, the year of the above photograph.[7]

[1] Burlington City Annual Report, 1930, p. 207.
[2] Burlington City Annual Report, 1930 p. 224.
[3] National Register of Historic Places, South Union Street Historic District National Register nomination.
[4] Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Burlington, VT, 1889, 1894.
[5]Burlington Free Press (30 Apr 1896)
[6]Burlington Free Press, (19 Apr 1922)
[7] Burlington City Directory, 1930 (Burlington: H. A. Manning Co., 1916-1986)