Vergennes Historic Walking Tour 2024 - Manual / Resource - Page 18
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BASIN BLOCK
aka Haven Block, 235-247 Main Street
The Basin Block, originally called the Haven Block was built in 1855 and included a general store
operated by three generations of Havens for 85 years. The building hosted a post office in 1871. In
1875, a third story was added but later removed. Several generations of the Slack family operated a
meat market in this building which now includes a variety of first floor shops: Lily Boutique, Malabar,
Vermont Pure CBD, The Joy Shop and Vergennes Laundry. Second floor businesses include: Edward
Jones Investments, Cheeseman Insurance Group and more. The adjacent single level building hosts
the acclaimed restaurant, Black Sheep Bistro.
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1825 FEDERAL STYLE BRICK HOME
257 Main Street
Built in 1825, this is one of the oldest brick residences in the city. It was
home to several prominent residents including Francis M. Strong,
inventor of the Howe Scale. Strong came up with the idea while
working for Sampson Scale Co. of Vergennes and filed a patent for the
innovation with Thomas Ross in 1856. John Howe, Jr., owner of a
foundry in Brandon, bought all nine of the Strong and Ross patents,
offering the pair of inventors royalties and employment at what
became Howe Scale Co. Strong stayed with the company for six years,
then turned to other ventures, eventually moving to West Ferrisburgh where for two decades he was
proprietor of The Lodge at Basin Harbor. William White, who built the
