The Universalist Church could have been a gas station
As many residents know, the City of Montgomery was founded in 1795 by a small group of settlers from Montgomery, New York. The town grew slowly until after World War II when subdivisions began to spring up and the population swelled to near its current level.
During the growth years of the 1960s and 1970s, a number of the early downtown buildings were demolished to make way for new businesses. In 1976, alarmed at the loss of the City’s historic past, City Council enacted legislation which provided protection for sites with architectural and historical significance. The Landmarks Commission was established to recommend properties for designation and then oversee the ordinance protecting these treasures of our past.
Since 1976, 31 buildings and two unique sites (Hopewell Cemetery and Johnson Nature Preserve) have been designated as Montgomery Landmarks. Most of these buildings are located around downtown, where the first settlement began.
New buildings in the downtown Heritage District are required to be built to be complementary to the simple and classic design of these existing structures. The City has invested millions of dollars over the years to provide public improvements which complement the historic character and enhance the visual appearance of the district.
Today, Montgomery’s Heritage District is the pride of residents and the envy of other communities. The emphasis on natural materials and classic styles has created a theme that provides both economic and aesthetic benefits to the businesses and the community as a whole. Few can even imagine Montgomery without the Universalist Church. It very nearly became a gas station!
Many residents do not take the rich history of Montgomery for granted. You can learn more about our Landmark Buildings on this website and by visiting the City’s website or contacting the Community Development Department.