The Boston Transcript was printing news about Lyndon on this day in 1911.

Theodore N. Vail, President of AT&T, had purchased a modest farmhouse in Lyndon and made yearly additions, until it was transformed into a sprawling mansion.

The farm was known as Speedwell Farms, and Vail entertained many notable guests, President Taft among them. Vail had the road to Speedwell Farms paved. It was the first paved road in Vermont.

One guest sang praises of Speedwell Farms to the Boston Transcript, proclaiming the road from Lyndon Center “smooth as a billiard table and lined with young shade trees.”

Historic image courtesy T.N. Vail Museum at Lyndon State College Current photo is a Vermont Book Of Days image