Heritage in Historic Homes of Jericho

If the walls could talk and the land could sing, what stories and history they would reveal. Join us in unlocking the secrets, and the familiar, like Jericho, Vermont Historical Homes sing from town property records, speak from ancient archives, pass on their heritage, as community members translate and unlock a treasure trove, that of the life of Jericho abodes, inscribed over one hundred plus years on hand-hewn beams, post-and-beam construction, scrawled on by small toddler hands onto twenty-two-inch floor planks; watch as long-dormant seeds covered with soil in a landscape trotted over by generation of peoples, farm animals, and pets,  quietly recorded by overflying owls; watch as they sprout and reveal their earthen Jericho enclave. 

Read the writing on the wall, layers upon layers from the scribbles at two feet up, to long tales traversing upwards to the ceiling and out onto the barn walls and stalls. Gauge the ages and longevity of family members of long ago by the hash marks on the door frames. Discover a hidden fireplace encasing a builder's dropped and forgotten coin, perhaps a doll missing an eye inside the rafters, yellowed crinkly soiled letters behind insulation, newspapers from the early 1800s tacked to studs beneath the plaster. 

 

Listen as current residents recall what they remember, what they have discovered, what research is uncovered from the life and times of Jericho Vermont's houses and other structures. Follow the borders of stone walls once fresh with the sweat from calloused hands of young and old that carried them from afield to the wall to keep sheep in or artistically lay weight to the magnitude of seemingly endless birthing of rocks now picturesque, no longer the testimony of the price of growing corn and grain on Vermont hillside farms or enclosing Merino sheep. 

What drove pioneers and their families to work this challenging terrain, cut in winding mountain encased roads, finally build cherished houses that we enjoy today? What uses have these buildings worn, from home to store, to church, to school, to community center, to home for families once more? What of their structure, from old-growth wood like yellow pine once softwood now made so dense over years of cover they challenge any man to infiltrate their secrets with a nail, to 30 to 40 feet hand-hewn cedar beams the likes of which two men alone could not lift and set in place. 

What sense of place is derived from the barns with shallow, pitched roofs, vertical planking on the outside, and large, hinged doors on the long side and three bays inside, the insides of which are held together with treenails (wooden pegs)? Barns and outbuildings of a wide spectrum of resilience through decay, from sagging and leaning, to standing stout, from walk-in at your own risk, to preserved and actively supporting a modern function. 

And what of the land? What crops raised the eyebrows and interest of crows?  Reach your fingers into the soil that once grew Indian corn, oats, Irish potatoes, butter, and cheese, joining native maple syrup as cows and sheep trod and trampled hills and valleys of Jericho. Today organic produce finds and gives nourishment and an occasional ram and often horses can be seen sharing the sidewalks with passersby. 

What photos of Jericho houses and people lie dusty, unobserved, forgotten in sailors' chests, damp cellars, cobweb-filled attics, and barns? Photos of Jericho kin posed for a barn raising shot, to town folk gathered at the Jericho Center green to celebrate or to remember a lost honored community member. Photos of historic houses before the third, fourth, fifth, addition or restoration, retooling, or 'modernization'. 

I know my town

for what she sings and writes to me today.

But what of her history, her past

who was she when she was just a bride?

Who crossed those early thresholds

what joys and sadness, challenges and accomplishments,

what of games played, stories told

what of Jericho old?

Has she become 

all that our ancestors foretold?

How better to know our town today

than to discover who she was

yesterday.

Bernie and Maeve invite the Jericho community of today to share in the discoveries, the memories, the writing on the walls, the songs from the soils, the heart of the history of Jericho's Historic Homes, their descendant inhabitants, the structural and cultural fabric built into this little town always looking up to Mount Mansfield and the stars. 

We hope you are inspired to contribute to help create these posts, to share your own Jericho community memories and photos with us all. We will edit, and post as few or as many houses and associated stories as the community cares to submit to us. 

We welcome short antidotes or stories as well as longer researched material. No need to worry about the 'historical' significance, instead think, about what of Jericho community life (Structures, Land, People, Events: text and or photos) from the past do I wish to share with others. 

Truly there are many a gem in Jericho with histories and elegance with utilities ranging from farm hand quarters to the Truman Galusha House, a federal style house whose early owners are associated with important early governors and other key leaders involved with the creation of the state of Vermont. 

Might we learn more about  Stunning 1800's Victorian houses in Jericho with beautiful hardwood floors, original wood doors, gorgeous wood trim, wainscoting, elegant entrance, mahogany & walnut staircase, 10′ ceilings, spiral staircase  & door to secret space?

And of houses older than 1837, we 'otta' (accept) refer to their location as Jerico, as the 'h' was not included in the spelling until 1837. 

There is Heritage in the Historic Homes of Jericho. There are stories (oral and written) that make up the history of this land (even before it became Jericho). Shall we explore together? 

Please consider helping us open the door to this land we now call Jericho, heritage!

PS Though we have titled this project as Historic Homes in Jericho, we are open to posting photos and stories about any home, any structure of any age, and land and families thereupon that folks care to submit.

Bernie & Maeve

Related material

Links to our Roads of Jericho photo postings

Agriculture History of Jericho, and Bolton, Vermont by Kate Ritter, Fall 2010

The History of Jericho, Vermont from Cornell University

The History of Jericho Vermont, The Free Press Printing Co. 1916 Available at Jericho Town Library (2 volumes)

Jericho History Quiz as published on FPF by Julia Blake

WEEK 1: 

1) On which road is Jericho's fine art gallery and commercial farm, and what are the two names? 

2) What part of which century did white settlers begin moving into Jericho?  

3) Which church has held chicken pie suppers for over 100 years? 

4) What FIVE towns does Jericho border? 

5) What person is famous for inventing a way to photograph tiny things that immediately disappear, and on what road did he live? 

Week 1 answers

1. Barber Farm Rd., Emile Gruppe Gallery & Jericho Settlers' Farm 

2. Last half of the 18th century

3. Jericho Congregational 

4. Definite towns are Richmond, Underhill, & Essex. We also border Williston with the Winooski River acting as the boundary line. Jericho also "touches" Westford at one point. 

5. Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, Nashville Rd.

Week 2

1) What was the name of the railroad that came through Jericho and where is its old station?   

2) Which building housed a toy factory in it at one time? What was the building originally built for? 

3) How many towns send students to Mt. Mansfield High School? Name them. 

4) What animals grazed on the Jericho Center green in the 1870s? 

5) Which store has the boundary line between Underhill and Jericho running right through it? 

Week 2 answers

1. The B&L (Burlington & Lamoille). The old station is between Railroad Circle and Owens St.

2. The Community Center. Built as a Universalist church. 

3. Five. Underhill, Jericho, Richmond, Huntington, & Bolton. (Jonesville is part of Richmond and Underhill Center is part of Underhill town.)

4. PIGS! Most people said sheep - a very logical answer but the history book says pigs. 

5. Jacob's Family Market on Park St. in Riverside (Underhill Flats)

WEEK 3 

1) Who wrote the book Without A Farmhouse Near and what building is named for her?  

2) How far in miles (by the most direct roads) is it from Jericho's southeast corner to its north point?  

3) In the 1800s which village center was the commercial/business center and which the education center?  

4) The building that houses the J. Center Library --what was its original use, where was its original location, & why was it moved?  

5) Which book of the Bible tells the story of the original Jericho and what fell down? 

Week 3 answers

1. Deborah Rawson. The Deborah Rawson Memorial Library2. 

2. I clocked it twice at 12. 4 or 12.6 miles via Leary Rd .Nashville Rd, Brown's Trace, Lee River Rd, Rt 15, Cilley Hill Rd. 

3. J. Corners was the business/commercial center and J. Center the educational center.

4. Built in 1825 as an academy (classes began in 1828) and students came from many places outside Jericho. Closed about 1845. The Baptist & Congregational churches used it part-time for a while, & it also served as parish hall for the Congregational church for some time. In 1899 the library opened.

It was originally located across the street from the green on the south side, and was moved when the road was going to be relocated right through the building. Local residents saved the building and had it moved to its present location. (Information from Gary Irish). 

5. The book of Joshua, and the walls fell down.

WEEK 4: 

1) What Jericho person ran for VT governor during the past 15 years? Gaye Symington 

2) Which road from Jericho to Richmond is no longer a through road and has different names in each town? 

3) In the late 1700s what species of tree had to be saved for masts of the British Royal Navy? 

4) Which church has a red front door? 

5) Which adjoining state has two towns named Jericho? 

WEEK 4 Answers

1. Gaye Symington

2. Snipe Island (Jericho side) & Snipe Ireland (Richmond side.) Brown's Trace/Jericho Rd. remains a through road. 

3. White pine 

4. Simple question I thought, but alas not simple. I was thinking of Calvary Episcopal on Rt 15, near the Jericho market. Several answered the Good Shepherd Lutheran so I drove by it again and looked closely - it's kind of maroon, dark red. So either answer was correct. 

5. NY is the best answer as it has two Jerichos on the map, but some pointed out that 1 may be described as a "hamlet". The Long Island one is very large so I assumed it a town or city. NH has a park named Jericho but I could not find a town. Mass has an area called Jericho, but not 2 towns listed. If you have different information I can be corrected! The 2nd NY town is located in the NE corner of the state, in Clinton County. Interesting trivia: 29 places in the world are named Jericho. The original one is on the West Bank & one of the longest continuously settled places in the world, since about 9000 BC.

WEEK 5:(Jan. 31)

1) What Jericho resident published books about Joe's Snack Bar & also the Jericho Center Country Store?  

2) What was the name of the first family to settle in Jericho? 

3) What happened to most of the old buildings (including a hotel) in Jericho Corners which are no longer there? 

4) What do the initials JCAT and JCPA stand for? 

5) How many places in Jericho can one buy prepared or cooked food (including creemees, snacks, hot meals, etc.) Name them. 

WEEK 5 answers

1. Tracy Campbell Pearson

2. Brown, although one person gave a very good answer: " Unknown, there've been families in Jericho for over 10,000 years." 

3. Most burned 

4. Jericho Cafe and Tavern. Jericho Center Preservation Association 

5. I came up with twelve, but some others listed as many as 15 to 18.  Here is the list: Jacob's store, Jericho Mkt, Jolley's, the dollar store, Jeri-Hill, Mtn. High Pizza, Palmer Lane maple, Snowflake Chocolate, Jericho General store, Chittended gas station, JCAT, J. Ctr country Store,King Girls' Bread, Mtn. View Bakery, Better Baked, and  3 seasonal ones: Kate's specialties,Joe's Snack Bar, the Farmers' Mkt.

Week 6 (Feb. 7) 

1) What was Governor Peck's first name and how long was he Governor?  

2) On which road was there a sunflower maze for a couple of years? 

3) When first built (over 200 years ago) the J. Center Country store operated on a barter system. To what large city did the owner take local goods to trade for items for his store? 

4) What large building in Riverside was briefly a "convalescent [nursing] home for ladies"? 

5) What Jericho religious group meets in a renovated old barn? 

Week 6 answers

1. Asahel was governor two years.

2. Barber Farm Rd. 

3. Montreal (by water.) 

4. Sinclair Inn 

5. Jericho Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Week 7 (Feb. 14) 

1) What is the name of the new brewery in Jericho? 

2) On what road do the boundaries of four towns intersect? 

3) Where was the area in Jericho called Muttonville? 

4) Which building houses Jeriicho's "trompe l'oeil" painting? 

5) Where is Jericho's "official" tree and what kind is it? 

Week 7 answers

1. Lucy and Howe. A Jericho Brewing Company is also listed but it's not as new. 

2. Cilley Hill Rd. (Jericho, Essex, Westford, & Underhill) 

3. The area around Juniper Knoll Farm and the intersection of Brown's Trace and Nashville Road. Along Brown's Trace & that end of Nashville, there were 2 blacksmith shops, a mill, and several houses.

4. Jericho Congregational church 

5. Elm on at the pull-off on Rt. 15 very near the border with Essex.

Week 8 (Feb. 21) 

1) What former resident wrote The Sheep Are in the Meadow, the Raccoons Are in the Corn? 

2) What are the two rivers alongside which Jericho's two River Roads run? 

3) Where was Nichols' store?  

4) Which MMU team won a state championship in 2003? 

5) What are the names of the two people who represent the Jericho area in the Legislature? 

Week 8 answers

1. Maggie (Marguerite)  Wolf 

2. I was thinking of the Winooski and Brown's Rivers, both called only "River Rd" but I accepted the answer Lee River Rd. also. 

3. In the apartment building directly across from the Community Center on Brown's Trace.

4. Girls' soccer. I discovered that Girls' Lacrosse also were champions The boys' basketball team won in 2004, at the end of the '03-04 season. 

5. Trevor Squirrell and George Till. I should have said the House  because someone listed all the Senators also--a good answer!

A BONUS Question: On what road is the old # 15 one-room schoolhouse, and in what decade did it close? Nashville Rd. 2nd house on right past Snipe Island Rd., going east. 

BONUS TRIVIA: Jericho's current Town Clerk (Jessica Alexander) grew up in the house built by Jericho's  very FIRST Town Clerk (Lewis Chapin). on Barber Farm Rd. 

It seems that many people enjoyed the Community Center quiz about Jericho so I've decided to post a few more interesting tidbits about the town's history, culled from local history books. 

The population of Jericho in 1850 was 1,837. 

Many roads are named after early families here. 

At one time two passenger trains came through Jericho daily. 

The 1886 History of Chittenden County stated that "Jericho is indeed a goodly town, rich in the character of its inhabitants, though that is somewhat varied". It went on to say though that "nothing indicates that one should hesitate to come to Jericho for fear of falling among thieves and being stripped of raiment." 

The early postal and stage route from Burlington to northeast VT lay along present Rt. 15. 

The Brown family who settled in jericho around 1774 were twice captured by Indians and taken to Montreal as prisoners. 

The Chittenden Mills ("old red mill") served not only locals but milled thousands of bushels of corn and wheat from the Midwest, brought by train. The men who built it were paid $1 a day or a gallon of rum! 

The Brown's River had as many as 7 mills on it at one time. 

The Academy ( the current JC library building) had over 100 students enrolled at one time, from as far away as New York state, Waitsfield, Charlotte,.& so on. The students boarded with local families for $1 or $1.25 per week. 

Native people hunted in this area as long ago as 11,000 years 

The first settlers of Jericho originally set the center on Bolger Hill but it was too difficult to access so it was moved to the present location of the JC green and Congregational church. The green was used as a baseball park just prior to the Civil War. 

Jericho Center and Jericho Corners are both on the National Register of Historic Places.

THANK YOU Julia Blake for the weekly quiz and the Jericho history.