Richford, VT LPOE Historical Transformation

1936 photo of the VT-Richford LPOE with original canopy.

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Modernization of Richford, VT Land Port of Entry

Funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, the U. S. General Services Administration (GSA) is planning to modernize the Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in Richford, VT. 

The Richford LPOE modernization will improve the efficiency of inspections, traffic flow, and security, facilitating trade and travel in the region in support of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mission. The Richford LPOE modernization project is underway and is estimated to be complete end of 2028. 

Historic context

The U.S. Border Inspection Station in Richford, VT was built to address the needs identified in the 1920s for ports of entry into the United States due to increasing automobile traffic, concerns about cross-border smuggling, and changes in immigration policy. 

Construction began in 1932 using standardized plans drawn up by the Department of the Treasury Office of the Supervising Architect.

Learn more about the cultural, environmental and political context of this early border station: https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/find-a-historic-federal-building/us-border-station-richford-richford-vt.

Within the National Register Nomination you can find sections which discuss in detail the 1928 Benner and Hughes Report on the need for a system of “Customs-Immigration Inspection Buildings,” as well as location and setting, exterior, interior, alterations, and significance for the VT-Richford structure.

Current status

Mission, logistical, and technological changes over the decades have led to alterations of many inspection stations, now known as LPOEs. The GSA owns and manages the buildings for CBP.

After thorough study, the best site for a modern LPOE facility will require demolition of the original border station. In cooperation with the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation (VDHP) and CBP, GSA has developed, and will sponsor, this and similar pages for National Register listed LPOEs impacted by repair, alteration, modernization and expansion projects under the 2021 IIJA.

Historical photos of Richford, VT LPOE

NARA, College Park, MD, records group 36 / cabinet sketch 24: 1932 site plan with front elevation.

NARA, College Park, MD, records group 36 / cabinet sketch 24: 1932 site plan.

NARA, College Park, MD records group 36 / cabinet sketch 24: 1932 main east elevation.

NARA, College Park, MD, records group 36 / cabinet sketch 24: 1932 basement plan.

NARA, College Park, MD, records group 36/ cabinet sketch 24: 1932 first floor plan.

NARA, College Park, MD records group 36/cabinet sketch 24: 1932 second floor plan.

1936 photo of the VT-Richford LPOE with original canopy.

1936 photo of the VT-Richford LPOE with original canopy, windows, and garage bay doors.

2020 photo of the VT-Richford LPOE main east elevation with modern canopy added in 1972.

2020 photo of the VT-Richford LPOE side south elevation with modern canopy added in 1972.

2020 photo of the VT-Richford LPOE rear west elevation.

2020 photo of the VT-Richford LPOE side north elevation.

2020 photo of the VT-Richford LPOE original building plaque at the northeast corner

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