Historical Markers in
Rutland County, Vermont

9/11 A. W. Gray & Sons Ann Story Battle of Hubbardton Birthplace of Oliver Cowdery Braintree School Brandon Civil War Memorial Brandon Training School British Flank Near Mt. Zion Brown Bridge Center Rutland Depot Civil War Memorial Conflict at Fort Warren Crown Point Road Dawn Attack Edward Hastings Ripley Edwin L. Drake First Slate Quarry in Western Vermont Forest Dale Ironworks Fort Rutland Memorial Fort Vengeance Fort Warren George Schmitt Germans Arrive, Americans Retreat Governor Israel Smith Green Mountain Boys Hammond Covered Bridge Historic West Street Cemetery Honor Roll Honor Roll Horace Greeley - George Jones Hubbardton Battle Monument Ira Town Hall c.1800 Italian American Club of Rutland, Vermont James Hope Jeffrey Brace John Deere John Porter Bowman and Laurel Hall / Laurel Glen Mausoleum John Sunderland John Vincent Julia C.R. Dorr Kendrick Dam, Pond, Mill, and Ice House Kingsley Grist Mill Korea War Memorial Lemuel Haynes Major General Merritt A. Edson Martin Henry Freeman Matthew Lyon Mead's Falls Meeting of Allen and Arnold Middletown Springs War Memorial Monument Hill Charge Mount Holly Railroad History Mt. Killington Old State House Old State House Old Stone Shop Otter Creek Paul P. Harris Pawlet Town Hall Pawlet Veterans Monument Pearl S. Buck Pittsfield Vermont Honor Roll Pittsford's Iron Industry Poultney Civil War Monument Proctor (VT) War Memorial Ralph H. Pickett Veterans Memorial Park Roll of Honor Rural Otter Creek Valley Multiple Resource Area Rutland G.A.R. Memorial Rutland Veterans Memorial Rutland World War I Memorial Site of Fair Haven High School Site of Oldest Union Church in America Slate Pencil Manufacturing Stephen A. Douglas Stephen A. Douglas The Ruth Stone House / Green Apples The Selleck Cabin The Vermont Sanatorium The "Old Chapel" Thomas Morgan House Vermont Marble Company Veterans Memorial Park Village of Mechanicsville Wallingford Revolutionary War Memorial Welcome to Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Park Wells Veterans Memorial Wells World War II Memorial West Pawlet West Rutland War Memorial World War Memorial "Vermont's First College"
Vermont was once a leading producer of marble: In the 19th century, Vermont was one of the leading producers of marble in the United States. The state's marble quarries produced high-quality marble that was used in buildings across the country, including the U.S. Capitol building and the New York Public Library.
Rutland County, located in the southern part of Vermont, has a rich history dating back to the 18th century. The area was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Abenaki tribe. European settlement began in the mid-1700s when New England colonists ventured into the region.

The county began to flourish with the arrival of the railroad in the mid-19th century, which led to a boom in industry and commerce. Rutland became a major transportation hub, connecting the rural communities of Vermont with larger cities like Boston and New York. With the railroad came a significant increase in population, as people migrated to the area in search of new opportunities.

Rutland County was known for its manufacturing prowess in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The region's natural resources, including marble and slate, drove the growth of industries such as stone quarrying and mining. Marble extracted from Rutland County was used in notable architectural projects across the country, including the New York Public Library and the Arlington National Cemetery.

The decline of the railroad industry, along with changing economic factors, posed challenges for Rutland County in the 20th century. The phasing out of steam locomotives and the rise of the automobile necessitated the development of new industries to sustain the county's economy. Today, Rutland County has diversified its economic base, with sectors such as healthcare, education, tourism, and manufacturing playing significant roles in the local economy. The county continues to honor its rich history while looking towards the future with optimism.

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

  • 1761 - Rutland County is chartered and established as a county in the state of Vermont
  • 1792 - Rutland becomes the third county seat, after Wallingford and Castleton
  • 1835 - The Rutland Railroad begins service, connecting Rutland to other parts of Vermont and New York
  • 1861-1865 - Rutland County residents actively participate in the American Civil War
  • 1894 - Rutland City is incorporated as a city within Rutland County
  • 1946 - Vermont State Fair moves to Rutland, boosting the local economy and tourism
  • 1955 - Rutland becomes the first city in Vermont to have a broadcasting television station
  • 1970s - Rutland County experiences significant population growth and development
  • 1980 - Proctor Marble Museum opens, showcasing the county's historic marble industry
  • 2011 - The Vermont State Fair celebrates its 165th anniversary