The "Bell House"
was built in 1905 to accommodate such, but it burned down in 1918. The
railroad men found sleeping facilities in bunk cars placed on sidings but
still meals were a problem. The men finally rented a house, fitted it with
their own furniture and prepared their own meals there.
At the instigation of the railroads brotherhoods, the Rutland RR purchased in 1925, the lovely HENRY MOTT mansion house just south of the railroad station and turned it into a railroad Y.M.C.A. Here sleeping facilities could be had for .35 and meals for .40, plus showers, pool room, and library.
The officials of the "Y" were officials of the railroad and the Brotherhood. It was operated as a dept. of the railroad. Expenses were paid out of the $5.00 membership fee and other income. The railroad would make up any deficits. The building was open twenty four hours a day with a staff of 4. It could sleep 18 men,
With the demise of the Rutland RR the building had several owners. It was the "Village Inn" furnishing meals, lodging, and a bar/cocktail lounge. The building was destroyed by fire in 1981.