Vermont
Vermont Hardwoods is, as its name suggests, situated in Vermont. This page has some information about Vermont, since many seem to be curious.
See our Chester page for detailed information on the town our business is located in.
Quick Facts

Independence | 1777 |
Statehood | 1791 − 14th State |
Capital | Montpelier |
Population | 621,760 (2009 est.) |
Density | 65.8 / sq. mi. |
Area | 9,620 square miles |
Elevation | 1000 feet (average) |
Nickname | The Green Mountain State |
Motto | Freedom and Unity |
History
Native Americans lived in Vermont before European exploration and settlement. In 1609, the French claimed Vermont as part of New France. Despite many Brish attempts to take control of the region, they were unsuccessful until 1759 and were formally given control in 1763 after the French were defeated in the French and Indian War.
A year after the British took control, the King declared the New York−New Hampshire border to be the Connecticut River. When New York ignored land titles given through the New Hampshire Grants before this border was defined, colonists were unhappy and fought for independence. The militia of the Green Mountain Boys was largely responsible for independence, which was gained in January of 1777. Originally called Republic of New Connecticut (or Republic of the Green Mountains), the independent state was later renamed Vermont, which is similar to the French for "Green Mountains."
The Battle of Bennington took place in August of 1777, a turning point in the Revolutionary War that marked the first major defeat of the British troops. Although the actual battle took place just outside Bennington across the New York border, approximately a quarter of the American troops were from Vermont and included the Green Mountain Boys.
Vermont had made slavery illegal since its independence, but did not free slaves. Nevertheless, it was safer than most other states. Vermont was along some routes of the Underground Railroad, and many slaves passed through on their way to freedom in Canada.
Trivia
- Vermont prohibited slavery in 1777, the first state in the New World to do so
- Vermont lost 15% of the 34,000+ men sent to battle during the Civil War, a higher percentage than any other state
- Lake Champlain, situated in the northwest corner, was once a Great Lake (for 18 days)
- Vermont produces the most maple syrup in the United States
- In recent years, Vermont has been ranked in the top 10 states in various health and safety studies, including those of well-being, low crime, and highway safety
- Billboards are illegal in Vermont
- Vermont was ranked in the top 5 states for litter eradication in a 2008 study
- The von Trapp family (of The Sound of Music) settled in Stowe, VT, after fleeing Austria
- Vermont only comprises 0.2% of the U.S. population
- There are over 80 publicly owned covered bridges in Vermont
State Symbols
Official
Song | "These Green Mountains" |
Bird | Hermit thrush |
Flower | Red clover |
Insect | Western honey bee |
Fish |
Brook trout (cold-water) Walleye (warm-water) |
Tree | Sugar maple |
Mammal | Morgan horse |
Amphibian | Northern leopard frog |
Reptile | Painted turtle |
Rock |
Granite Marble Slate |
Unofficial
Mineral | Talc |
Pie | Apple |
Soil | "Tunbridge Soil Series" |
Beverage | Milk |
Gem | Grossular garnet |
Fossil | Beluga skeleton |
Miscellaneous |
Maple syrup Eastern white pine White-tailed deer 14 |
Rank
See where Vermont places in a number of categories in comparison with the rest of the 50 states (and sometimes Washington, D.C.)! Rank from 2007, unless otherwise specified.
Category | Rank |
---|---|
Lowest CO2 Emissions (per capita) | 3/51 |
Highest % Renewable Energy | 9/50 |
Highest Life Expectancy (2005) | 7/51 |
Lowest Population (2009) | 3/51 |
Lowest Population Density | 18/51 |
Lowest Unemployment Rate (2010) | 5/51 |
Lowest Poverty Rate | 3/51 |
Highest Median Household Income (2008) | 20/51 |
Highest Mean Elevation | 22/51 |
Essence of Vermont
Well-Known Businesses
Products
- Maple syrup
- Cheddar cheese
- Common crackers
- Marble, granite
Famous People
Ethan Allen | 1738-1789 | Revolutionary War patriot |
Daniel Webster | 1782-1852 | 14th Secretary of State |
Chester Arthur | 1829-1886 | 21st President |
Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley | 1865-1931 | Snowflake photographer |
Calvin Coolidge | 1872-1933 | 30th President |
Ross Powers | 1979-Present | Snowboarder (Olympic gold medalist) |
Links
- Vermont Vacation − The Official State of Vermont Tourism Site
- Vermont Life magazine
- Vermont on Wikipedia