Addison County, Vermont

Addison Baptist Church Bottum Farm Bridge 26 Bristol Downtown Historic District Camp Marbury Historic District Cedar Swamp Covered Bridge Chimney Point Tavern Chipman's Point Cornwall General Store Cornwall Town Hall Cotton Free Library Daniels, Capts. Louis and Philomene, House District School No. 1 District Six Schoolhouse Doolittle, Colonel Ephraim and Sarah, Farm East Shoreham Covered Railroad Bridge Fenn Farm Field Farm First Congregational Church First Congregational Church of Cornwall Parsonage Fletcher, Paris and Anna, House Frost, Robert, Farm Glen Dale Halpin Covered Bridge Hamilton, John, Farmstead Hand's Cove Hawley's Ferry House Heights, The Hoag Gristmill and Knight House Complex House at 215 School Street Lampson School Larrabee's Point Complex Leicester Meeting House Middlebury Gorge Concrete Arch Bridge Middlebury Village Historic District Middlebury Village Historic District (Boundary Increase) Monkton Borough Baptist Church Monkton Town Hall Mount Independence New Haven Junction Depot Old Stone Blacksmith Shop Pulp Mill Covered Bridge Ripton Community House Rokeby Salisbury Congregational Church Salisbury Fish Hatchery Salisbury Town Hall Salisbury Village Blacksmith Shop School House and Town Hall Shard Villa Shoreham Congregational Church South Starksboro Friends Meeting House and Cemetery Stagecoach Inn Starksboro Village Meeting House Stone Mill Stone Row, Old Stone, Ruth, House Strong, Gen. Samuel, House Strong, John, House Strong, Samuel Paddock, House Union Church Union Meetinghouse University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm Vergennes Historic District Vergennes Residential Historic District Vergennes Station House Waybury Inn Wesleyan Methodist Church Wilcox-Cutts House Willard, Emma, House Witherell Farm

American Blockhouse – 1777 Ancient Paths Benedict Arnold Birthplace of Ray Fisher British Blockhouse - 1777 Burial Site Canada Geese Charter House Chimney Point Commerce at the Crossroads Commodore Thomas Macdonough Cornwall Remembers Court Square DAR John Strong Mansion Early Life Along Otter Creek in Vergennes Emma Willard Emma Willard Memorial Ethan Allen with Eighty-Three Green Mountain Boys Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Defiance Foundation -1776 or 1777 General Hospital – 1777 German Hut – 1777 Hathorne School Heritage Travelers over the Years In Memory of Pvt. Norman E. Wasley John Deere Lake Champlain and the American Revolution Larrabee’s Point Levi P. Morton Macdonough Shipyard Major Samuel Beach Marble Works Memorial Bridge Middlebury Civil War Memorial Middlebury War Memorial Military Road Mount Independence Mt. Independence Military Road Northern Terminal of the Crown Point Military Road Officers Quarters – 1776 Robert Frost Samuel Miller, Esq. Shoreham Covered Railroad Bridge Silas Wright Site of Naval Shipyard Snow Geese Southern Battery – 1777 Southern Defense Trail Stephen Bates Vermont’s Earliest Known Black Sheriff and Chief of Police Storehouse - 1776 The Addison County Courthouse The American Southern Defenses – 1776-1777 The Battell Block The Bixby Memorial Free Library The Corner School The Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area The Great Convention The U.S. Government Morgan Horse Farm The Vergennes Pump House Third Brigade Encampment – 1776 To Repel the Enemy Town & Gown Vergennes 150th Anniversary Veterans Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial Wetland Resources William Slade / The Gag Rule World War Memorial World War Memorial "Rokeby"
Addison County, Vermont is situated in the western part of the state and has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The land was originally inhabited by various indigenous groups, including the Abenaki people, who relied on the region's fertile soil and abundant natural resources for sustenance.

European settlement in the area began in the mid-18th century, with the establishment of New Haven and Vergennes, two of the county's oldest towns. The region quickly attracted settlers due to its favorable farming conditions, proximity to Lake Champlain, and opportunities for trade. Agriculture soon became the backbone of the local economy, with farmers producing hay, corn, wheat, and dairy products.

During the American Revolution, Addison County played a significant role in the fight for independence. The Battle of Bennington, a pivotal engagement in the war, took place just south of the county's border in 1777. Many local residents patriotically served in the Continental Army, defending their homes and fighting for liberty.

In the 19th century, Addison County experienced steady growth and development. The construction of the Champlain Canal in the early 1800s brought increased commerce and trade, and the county's population expanded. Villages like Middlebury and Bristol emerged as important centers of education and industry, hosting prestigious colleges and bustling mills and factories.

Today, Addison County remains an agricultural hub, known for its picturesque landscapes, vibrant small towns, and strong sense of community. While the county has seen many changes over the years, its rich heritage and agricultural traditions continue to shape its identity.
Brief timeline of the history of Addison County, Vermont:

  • 1761 - Addison County is chartered and named after English writer Joseph Addison
  • 1773 - The town of Middlebury is settled
  • 1785 - Middlebury College is founded
  • 1796 - The town of Vergennes becomes the first chartered city in Vermont
  • 1800s - Agriculture, particularly dairy farming, becomes a major industry in the county
  • 1825 - The Champlain Transportation Company is established to provide transportation on Lake Champlain
  • 1834 - The Rutland and Burlington Railroad, the county's first railroad, is completed
  • 1840 - The Vermont Central Railroad is built through the county, connecting it to the rest of the state
  • 1851 - Middlebury Female Seminary, precursor to Middlebury College's women's program, is founded
  • 1861-1865 - Many men from Addison County serve in the Civil War
  • 1883 - The Pulp Mill Bridge in Middlebury is completed, becoming an iconic landmark in the county
  • 1891 - The town of Bristol is connected to the rest of the county by a railroad
  • 1914-1918 - Many residents of Addison County serve in World War I
  • 1920s - The Great Depression affects the county's economy, leading to decreased farm prices and increased poverty
  • 1930s - The federal government initiates various relief programs in the county during the Great Depression
  • 1941-1945 - Many residents of Addison County serve in World War II
  • 1950s-1960s - Interstate 89 is built through the eastern part of the county, improving transportation
  • 2000s - The county experiences steady population growth, with more people moving to the area
  • Present - Addison County is known for its beautiful landscapes, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant arts scene

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Addison County, Vermont.

Audiobooks about the history of Vermont.