Wardsboro, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Wardsboro is a town in Windham County
, Vermont
, United States
. The population was 854 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Wardsboro Center, West Wardsboro and South Wardsboro.
, Massachusetts
. It was granted and chartered on November 7, 1780 to William Ward of Newfane
, for whom the town was named Wardsborough, together with 62 others. In 1788, it was divided into north and south districts, the latter set off and incorporated in 1810 as Dover
. Although the terrain is very uneven and in parts rocky, farmers worked the soil into productivity.
Mills were built along the brook, a tributary
of the West River
. In 1859, industries included three gristmill
s, six sawmills, one tannery
, and a rawhide whip factory. During the Civil War
, Wardsborough Center was called Unionville because of its strong Federal sentiment. In the 1880s, Jebediah Estabrook's tub, bucket and pail factory at Wardsborough Center was the area's principal employer. In 1894, the U.S. Post Office
dropped the "ugh" from town names ending in "borough," so Wardsborough was thereafter known as Wardsboro.
Wardsboro was one of thirteen Vermont towns isolated by flooding caused by Hurricane Irene
in 2011.
, the town has a total area of 29.3 square miles (75.8 km2), all of it land. It is drained by Wardsboro Brook, a tributary
of the West River
.
Set in the Green Mountains
, much of Wardsboro is included in the Green Mountain National Forest
. The town is approximately six miles north of Mount Snow
ski area and less than 10 miles south of Stratton
ski area. There are numerous planned communities such as Snow Mountain Farms. Somerset Reservoir and Grout Pond are only a few minutes away, and the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers
Snowmobile
trails run through the town.
Wardsboro is crossed by Vermont Route 100
.
of 2000, there were 854 people, 358 households, and 234 families residing in the town. The population density
was 29.2 people per square mile (11.3/km2). There were 766 housing units at an average density of 26.2 per square mile (10.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.48% White, 0.35% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.12% Asian, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.
There were 358 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 109.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $43,333. Males had a median income of $28,083 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $17,165. About 4.1% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.
Windham County, Vermont
Windham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 44,513. Its shire town is Newfane.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, Vermont
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 854 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Wardsboro Center, West Wardsboro and South Wardsboro.
History
The town was settled circa 1779 by Samuel Davis and his wife from MilfordMilford, Massachusetts
Milford is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It had a population of 27,999 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Milford, constituting the center of the town, please see the article Milford ,...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. It was granted and chartered on November 7, 1780 to William Ward of Newfane
Newfane, Vermont
Newfane is the shire town of Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,680 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Newfane and Williamsville.-History:...
, for whom the town was named Wardsborough, together with 62 others. In 1788, it was divided into north and south districts, the latter set off and incorporated in 1810 as Dover
Dover, Vermont
Dover is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,410 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.3 square miles , all land...
. Although the terrain is very uneven and in parts rocky, farmers worked the soil into productivity.
Mills were built along the brook, a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the West River
West River (Vermont)
The West River is a tributary of the Connecticut River, about long, in southern Vermont in the United States. According to the Geographic Names Information System, it has also been known historically as "Wantastiquet" and as "Waters of the Lonely Way"...
. In 1859, industries included three gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
s, six sawmills, one tannery
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
, and a rawhide whip factory. During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Wardsborough Center was called Unionville because of its strong Federal sentiment. In the 1880s, Jebediah Estabrook's tub, bucket and pail factory at Wardsborough Center was the area's principal employer. In 1894, the U.S. Post Office
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
dropped the "ugh" from town names ending in "borough," so Wardsborough was thereafter known as Wardsboro.
Wardsboro was one of thirteen Vermont towns isolated by flooding caused by Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene (2011)
Hurricane Irene was a large and powerful Atlantic hurricane that left extensive flood and wind damage along its path through the Caribbean, the United States East Coast and as far north as Atlantic Canada in 2011...
in 2011.
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 has a total area of 29.3 square miles (75.8 km2), all of it land. It is drained by Wardsboro Brook, a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the West River
West River (Vermont)
The West River is a tributary of the Connecticut River, about long, in southern Vermont in the United States. According to the Geographic Names Information System, it has also been known historically as "Wantastiquet" and as "Waters of the Lonely Way"...
.
Set in the Green Mountains
Green Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
, much of Wardsboro is included in the Green Mountain National Forest
Green Mountain National Forest
Green Mountain National Forest is a national forest located in Vermontwhich supports a variety of wildlife, including beaver, moose, black bear, and white tailed deer. It also supports an abundant variety of bird species. The forest has been referred to as the 'granite backbone' of the state...
. The town is approximately six miles north of Mount Snow
Mount Snow
Mount Snow is a mountain and ski area in southern Vermont located in the Green Mountains. It is Vermont's closest big mountain to many Northeast metropolitan areas. It was cohost of the first Extreme Games in 1995 and host of the Winter X-Games in 2000 and 2001...
ski area and less than 10 miles south of Stratton
Stratton Mountain Resort
Stratton Mountain Resort is a ski area located on Stratton Mountain in Stratton, Vermont.-History:Stratton was established in 1961, and expanded rapidly into one of Vermont's largest ski areas...
ski area. There are numerous planned communities such as Snow Mountain Farms. Somerset Reservoir and Grout Pond are only a few minutes away, and the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers
Vermont Association of Snow Travelers
The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, Inc. was founded over 30 years ago and is responsible for the maintaining and grooming trails. One of the oldest snowmobiling organizations in the U.S., VAST is a non-profit, private group that includes over 140 clubs statewide, with over 45,000 members...
Snowmobile
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
trails run through the town.
Wardsboro is crossed by Vermont Route 100
Vermont Route 100
Vermont Route 100 is a north–south state highway in Vermont, United States. Running through the center of the state, it travels nearly the entire length of Vermont and is long...
.
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 854 people, 358 households, and 234 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 29.2 people per square mile (11.3/km2). There were 766 housing units at an average density of 26.2 per square mile (10.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.48% White, 0.35% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.12% Asian, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.
There were 358 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% 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, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 109.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $43,333. Males had a median income of $28,083 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income
Per 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 $17,165. About 4.1% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Augustus F. AllenAugustus F. AllenAugustus Franklin Allen was elected as a member of the United States Congress from New York's 33rd congressional district in 1874. Allen died before he was able to take office....
, New York politician. - George Burton DrakeGeorge Burton Drake (minister)George Burton Drake was a Congregational minister, born August 8, 1870 in Eagle, New York to John and Emily Drake...
, minister. - Abner HazeltineAbner HazeltineAbner Hazeltine was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in Wardsboro, Vermont, Hazeltine attended the common schools. He graduated from Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, in 1815. He moved to Jamestown, New York, November 2, 1815, where he taught school and studied law...
, congressman. - Miles Justice KnowltonMiles Justice KnowltonMiles Justice Knowlton was an American Baptist clergyman, missionary to China, academic and author.-Missionary career:...
, clergyman and missionary.