Addison County, Vermont is a rural area located in the western part of the state and is home to over 37,000 residents. The county was established in 1785 and includes twelve towns: Addison, Bridport, Cornwall, Ferrisburgh, Granville, Hancock, Leicester, Lincoln, Middlebury, Monkton, New Haven and Orwell. It is named after Thomas Addison who was a veteran of the Revolutionary War.
The county is known for its rolling hills and pastoral beauty. The Green Mountains form a picturesque backdrop to the land with their towering peaks and lush forests. Much of the county is dedicated to farming with dairy farms dotting the countryside and many small family-owned orchards producing apples and other fruits.
The county seat is Middlebury which is home to Middlebury College as well as numerous other educational institutions including Vermont Technical College and Addison Central School District. The town also features several historic buildings such as the Swift House Inn which dates back to 1790. There are also several galleries featuring local artisans’ work scattered throughout town that showcase traditional crafts such as furniture making and pottery.
The Otter Creek flows through much of Addison County with its clear waters providing recreational opportunities for fishing and kayaking as well as scenic beauty for visitors to enjoy. In addition to Otter Creek there are many other waterways in the area including Lake Champlain which serves as a border between Vermont and New York State at its northernmost point in Addison County near Rouses Point.
For those looking for outdoor recreation there are plenty of trails available for hiking or biking throughout the county including sections of Long Trail which traverses all of Vermont from north to south along with many miles of local paths maintained by various townships throughout Addison County. In addition there are numerous parks located throughout the area that offer camping facilities along with access to lakeside beaches where swimming can be enjoyed during warmer months.
Addison County has something for everyone from outdoor enthusiasts looking for nature’s beauty or activities like hiking or fishing; families seeking educational opportunities; those interested in exploring history; or anyone simply looking for peace and quiet away from city life can find it here in this rural corner.
History of Addison County, Vermont
Addison County, Vermont is a unique region of New England located in the Champlain Valley. It was established in 1785 as one of the original counties of Vermont and has since become home to numerous small towns and villages. The county is known for its picturesque rolling hills, rich farmland, and abundance of recreational opportunities.
The history of Addison County dates back to before European settlers arrived in the area. The region was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes including the Abenaki, Iroquois, and Algonquian-speaking tribes. These tribes lived off the land by hunting and gathering food as well as fishing in Lake Champlain.
When Europeans first arrived in Addison County in the late 1700s they found a largely unsettled area with only a few small settlements scattered around the lake. One of these was Middlebury which was founded in 1787 and quickly became an important trading post for settlers living up and down the lake. Other settlements included Vergennes which was founded in 1788 and Bristol which was founded in 1789.
In 1809, Addison County officially became part of Vermont when it split from neighboring Rutland County. This marked an important milestone for the county as it began to develop into an agricultural center with dairy farming becoming a major industry due to its fertile soil and ideal climate conditions for growing crops such as hay and oats.
Throughout the 19th century, towns such as Middlebury, Vergennes, Bristol, Shoreham, Cornwall, Bridport, Salisbury, Leicester and Whiting continued to grow both economically and culturally as new immigrants from Europe came to settle in Addison County looking for work on farms or mills powered by water from local streams or rivers such as Otter Creek or Lemon Fair River.
In addition to farming and milling industries that drove much of Addison’s economy during this time period there were also numerous other businesses that helped build up local towns including gristmills (which ground grains into flour), sawmills (which cut lumber) breweries (which produced beer), blacksmiths (who forged metal) tanneries (which tanned animal hides) general stores (which provided goods needed for everyday life). These businesses provided jobs for many residents throughout Addison County helping them make a living while also contributing to its growth during this time period.
Today, Addison County still maintains its rural charm thanks largely due to its strong agricultural heritage that dates back centuries ago when Native Americans first inhabited this region long before Europeans ever set foot here. With stunning views of Lake Champlain along with recreational activities like fishing skiing hiking biking camping swimming boating sailing etc there’s no wonder why so many people choose to call this amazing corner of New England their home.