The growth that characterized Burlington’s post-civil war era continued during the period from 1877 to 1890. In the area of Burlington in question, this growth was reflected in the continued development of land, as established areas became more densely settled and new areas of land were opened for development. The development of land along Pine Street, where swamps had been filled to provide new land for use by Burlington’s industries, continued with the construction of new mills and factories, as well as modest homes to house their workers. In addition, development commenced in the area immediately to the East of Burlington’s post office and courthouse (i.e. the area bound by Main, Church, Maple and South Union Streets), where a ravine was filled and the surrounding land leveled.
The area of Burlington in question also reflected the changes in Burlington’s population during this period. Member’s of Burlington’s wealthy and professional classes moved “up the hill” from the older buildings and blocks at the western ends of King and Maple Street, to new, larger homes at the eastern ends of these streets and along South Union and South Willard Streets. The homes that they left behind began to serve as rental properties for the burgeoning class of workers employed by the nearby mills and factories. In addition, empty parcels of land surrounding these homes began to be filled by the construction of homes for these workers, including attached buildings and apartment blocks with rental apartments.
(All photographs of buildings in this section taken by J. Hoefferle.)