The John Smith Homestead in Saint Albans, Vermont is a vital piece of the Rail City's history.
John Smith moved to St. Albans when he was a boy and lived the rest of his life there. He and his family have made many contributions to St. Alabans and the state of Vermont. He served as a member of the Vermont State House of Representitives and as a United States Congressman. The fountain in Taylor Park and the St. Albans Free Library are some of the contributions the Smith family has given to the community.
The most notable of these contributions John Smith made was helping to bring to railroad to St. Albans-- The Rail City. In the days when the railraod was just a dream, he could envision how his community would benefit from the commerce that would come along with the railroad going through town. He and a few others worked to establish the railroad here. Smith and his sons continued to build the railroad business in St. Albans. The resulting economic growth was immese.
Many of the large homes in St. Albans today are results of the economic growth that happened in this period of time. Sadly, many of the structures are now gone, replaced with modern buildings that have little or no history. Some of us remember the architectural gem that was the train depot and the Governor Smith mansion, which was built by John's son, Governor J. Gregory Smith.
Now we are faced with the possible loss of another piece of history: the Smith Family Homstead-- commonly known as the "Owl's Club." This was the home of John Smith and his family when St. Albans was still a small Northern Vermont settlement. The Owl's Club has a very long and storied history as well-- including about a hundred year's worth of hosting parties, weddings, and other such events that have tied it to the hearts of many people in St. Albans and Vermont. Please join us in our efforts to save this historic structure and to honor the family who truely made St. Albans the Rail City.
