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Brandon (town), Vermont
Encyclopedia
Brandon is a town in Rutland County, Vermont
, United States
. The population was 3,966 at the 2010 census.
Brandon is a study in early American architecture and Vermont history. When the first settlers came to the area in the mid-1770s, they established the village of Neshobe. The area was rich in natural resources with excellent farmland along the rivers and abundant supplies of timber and minerals. The town flourished during the 1800s with several industries relying on the key resources of waterpower, iron ore and marble. The coming of the railroad in 1849 enabled the manufacture and shipping of iron-based products such as the Howe scale, as well as Brandon paints, wood products and marble.
During its century of rapid growth, Brandon Village evolved a unique village plan. The historic Crown Point military road
came through Brandon to connect Lake Champlain
to the Atlantic coast. In the ensuing decades, government and individuals developed commercial streets at the core which radiated out from the greens lined with residences leading to farms, mines and quarries in the town. Pearl and Park streets were laid out to be suitable for militia training, resulting in broad, tree-shaded streets with deep front yards.
Statesman Stephen A. Douglas
was born in Brandon, and his birthplace is now the Brandon Museum as well as the town’s Visitor Center. Douglas returned in 1860 to inform a crowd that Brandon was a good place to be born and leave.
Thomas Davenport, who is said to have invented the electric motor although he never achieved fame for his invention and died penniless, was born and lived in Brandon.
As the early industries began to decline, dairying, stockbreeding and tourism became increasingly important and ensured the economic survival of Brandon in the 20th century. The establishment of the Brandon Training School in 1915 was a significant event, providing many employment opportunities for area residents. At its height, the Training School served over 600 Vermont residents. Changes in policy and social service practices led to closing the facility in November 1993. The campus, now called Park Village, is used for a variety of purposes including residential, industrial, and institutional uses.
Brandon’s historic downtown
with its entire core of 243 buildings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
, the town of Brandon has a total area of 40.2 square miles (104.1 km²), of which 40.1 square miles (103.9 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 0.12%, is water.
of 2000, there were 3,917 people, 1,572 households, and 1,097 families residing in the town. The population density
was 97.6 people per square mile (37.7/km2). There were 1,710 housing units at an average density of 42.6 per square mile (16.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.85% White, 0.10% Black or African American
, 0.18% Native American, 0.15% Asian, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.20% of the population.
There were 1,572 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples
living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.
for the town was $20,516. About 7.3% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
Camping sites range from primitive forest sites to full service campgrounds with RV hook-ups.
bought the 19000 square feet (1,765.2 m²) Grand Union supermarket in town and started plans to build a larger supermarket outside of the village on Route 7
. Hannaford plans to close the smaller market when construction is complete on the larger store. The plan has met with resistance from some residents. After years of revitalizing its downtown, the closing of a destination store as vital as a supermarket is seen as endangering those gains. They also worry the new supermarket will draw business outside of the downtown, encourage other businesses to move away from the center, and create long term sprawl and increased traffic problems along the Rt. 7 corridor. Those who support the new supermarket argue it would bring more jobs to the area, help the overall economy and even save the environment as the nearest large supermarket is in Rutland
or Middlebury. They have dubbed those who oppose it the "Brandon 11", claiming that a mere eleven people are against the plan while the remaining 3,500 Brandon citizens support Hannaford.
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,966 at the 2010 census.
History
On October 20, 1761, the town of Neshobe was chartered to Capt. Josiah Powers. In October 1784, the name of the town was changed to Brandon by an act of legislature.Brandon is a study in early American architecture and Vermont history. When the first settlers came to the area in the mid-1770s, they established the village of Neshobe. The area was rich in natural resources with excellent farmland along the rivers and abundant supplies of timber and minerals. The town flourished during the 1800s with several industries relying on the key resources of waterpower, iron ore and marble. The coming of the railroad in 1849 enabled the manufacture and shipping of iron-based products such as the Howe scale, as well as Brandon paints, wood products and marble.
During its century of rapid growth, Brandon Village evolved a unique village plan. The historic Crown Point military road
Crown Point Road
In 1759, the British built the Crown Point Road following the defeat of French forces at Forts Carillon and St. Frederic on Lake Champlain during the French and Indian War. The Crown Point Road connected the Fort at Crown Point on Lake Champlain to Fort No. 4 at Charlestown, New Hampshire. Today,...
came through Brandon to connect Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
to the Atlantic coast. In the ensuing decades, government and individuals developed commercial streets at the core which radiated out from the greens lined with residences leading to farms, mines and quarries in the town. Pearl and Park streets were laid out to be suitable for militia training, resulting in broad, tree-shaded streets with deep front yards.
Statesman Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen Arnold Douglas was an American politician from the western state of Illinois, and was the Northern Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln, whom he had defeated two years earlier in a Senate contest following a famed...
was born in Brandon, and his birthplace is now the Brandon Museum as well as the town’s Visitor Center. Douglas returned in 1860 to inform a crowd that Brandon was a good place to be born and leave.
Thomas Davenport, who is said to have invented the electric motor although he never achieved fame for his invention and died penniless, was born and lived in Brandon.
As the early industries began to decline, dairying, stockbreeding and tourism became increasingly important and ensured the economic survival of Brandon in the 20th century. The establishment of the Brandon Training School in 1915 was a significant event, providing many employment opportunities for area residents. At its height, the Training School served over 600 Vermont residents. Changes in policy and social service practices led to closing the facility in November 1993. The campus, now called Park Village, is used for a variety of purposes including residential, industrial, and institutional uses.
Brandon’s historic downtown
Brandon (CDP), Vermont
Brandon is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Brandon, Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population of the CDP was 1,648 at the 2010 census.It includes part or all of Brandon Village Historic District....
with its entire core of 243 buildings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town of Brandon has a total area of 40.2 square miles (104.1 km²), of which 40.1 square miles (103.9 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 0.12%, is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,917 people, 1,572 households, and 1,097 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 97.6 people per square mile (37.7/km2). There were 1,710 housing units at an average density of 42.6 per square mile (16.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.85% White, 0.10% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.18% Native American, 0.15% Asian, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.20% of the population.
There were 1,572 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.
Personal income
The median income for a household in the town was $35,810, and the median income for a family was $42,455. Males had a median income of $27,949 versus $22,576 for females. The per capita incomePer capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $20,516. About 7.3% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
Tourism
There are over 70 miles (112.7 km) of trails for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, biking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. Hiking in the Moosalamoo Region offers everything from wilderness solitude to views of waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and scenic vistas.Camping sites range from primitive forest sites to full service campgrounds with RV hook-ups.
Arts
There are folk artists, fabric artists, computer artists, super realists, nonrepresentational expressionists, workers in traditional decorative arts, watercolor, jewelry, pottery, glass, sculpture, print makers, and photographers.Music
Music events are held throughout the year at venues such as Brandon Music, Ball and Chain Cafe, the Brandon Town Hall, and outdoors in the summer. The biggest festival of its kind in Vermont is held in July each year, the Basin Bluegrass Festival.Controversies
In 2009 the Hannaford Bros. Co.Hannaford Bros. Co.
Hannaford is an American supermarket chain based in Scarborough, Maine. Founded in 1883, Hannaford now operates stores in New England and upstate New York. Formerly known as Shop 'N' Save, Hannaford is owned by the American subsidiary of the Belgian Delhaize Group, Delhaize America, which owns over...
bought the 19000 square feet (1,765.2 m²) Grand Union supermarket in town and started plans to build a larger supermarket outside of the village on Route 7
U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7 is a north–south United States highway in western New England that runs for from Norwalk, Connecticut, to Highgate, Vermont. The highway's southern terminus is at Interstate 95 in Norwalk, Connecticut...
. Hannaford plans to close the smaller market when construction is complete on the larger store. The plan has met with resistance from some residents. After years of revitalizing its downtown, the closing of a destination store as vital as a supermarket is seen as endangering those gains. They also worry the new supermarket will draw business outside of the downtown, encourage other businesses to move away from the center, and create long term sprawl and increased traffic problems along the Rt. 7 corridor. Those who support the new supermarket argue it would bring more jobs to the area, help the overall economy and even save the environment as the nearest large supermarket is in Rutland
Rutland, Vermont
Rutland, Vermont may refer to:*Rutland , Vermont*Rutland , Vermont*Rutland County, Vermont*West Rutland, Vermont...
or Middlebury. They have dubbed those who oppose it the "Brandon 11", claiming that a mere eleven people are against the plan while the remaining 3,500 Brandon citizens support Hannaford.
External links
- Town of Brandon, Vermont, by Augusta W. Kellogg, in New England Magazine, November 1897, on Stone Quarries and Beyond - Vermont