History of Vergennes, Vermont, USA

1766 - Vergennes is settled

October 28, 1783 - Vergennes is incorporated as a city

1791 - Population of Vergennes, Vermont - 201

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1800 - Population of Vergennes, Vermont - 516

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1810 - Population of Vergennes, Vermont - 835

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1820 - Population of Vergennes, Vermont - 817

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1830 - Population of Vergennes, Vermont - 999

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1839 - Vergennes
Vergennes, Vermont
Addison county. Vergennes was first settled in 1766. The territory, which comprises an area of 480 by 400 rods, was invested with city privileges in 1788. It lies 12 miles N.W. from Middlebury and 21 S. by E. from Burlington. Population, 1830, 999. Vergennes is beautifully located on Otter creek at the falls of that stream, and is 7 miles from Lake Champlain. Otter creek, at this place, is about 500 feet wide, and, at the falls, is separated by two islands, which form 3 distinct falls, of 37 feet. These falls produce a great hydraulic power, rendered more valuable by being situated in the heart of a fertile country, and on the navigable waters of the lake.

The creek or river, between the city and the lake, is crooked, but navigable for the largest lake vessels. During the late war, this was an important depot on the lake. Here was fitted out the squadron commanded by the gallant McDonough, who met the British fleet off Plattsburgh, N.Y. on the 11th of September, ... Read MORE...

1840 - Population of Vergennes, Vermont - 1,017

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1846 - FIRE AT VERGENNES VERMONT.
The stores of MESSRS. B. & D. B. HOLCOMB and MESSRS, HUNTINGTON, with several offices in the same building, were destroyed by fire at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 20th inst., with most of the contents.
MESSRS. HOLCOMB saved nothing; and in addition to their large stock of goods consumed there were $12,000 in bank notes, drawn from the Bank of Vergennes, on the day previous, with which one of the partners was about to start for Boston. The most of this money was in notes of that Bank.

Some suspicions were entertained that the fire was the work of incendaries, to cover a robbery; as the money was packed in a trunk on the lower floor, and the MESSRS. HOLCOMB slept in the third story, and barely escaped with their lives.

Albany Journal.
Since the above was in type, we have received an estimate of the damages sustained by this fire, which amounts to $60,000.
Milwaukee Daily Sentinel and Gazette
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 5, 1846

1849 Vergennes
This city is beautifully located on Otter Creek, at the falls on that stream, and is seven miles from Lake Champlain. Otter Creek, at this place, is about 500 feet wide, and, at the falls, is separated by two islands, which form three distinct falls of thirty-seven feet. These falls produce a great hydraulic power, rendered more valuable by being situated in the heart of a fertile country, and on the navigable waters of the lake.

The creek, or river, between the city and the lake, is crooked, but navigable for the largest lake vessels. During the late war, this was an important depot on the lake. Here was fitted out the squadron commanded by the gallant McDonough, who met the British fleet off Plattsburgh, N.Y. on the 11th of September 1814, and made it his.

The first settlement within the present limits of Vergennes was made in 1766 by Donald M'Intosh, a native of Scotland who was in the battle of Culloden. He came to this country with Gen. Wolfe's army, during the... Read MORE...

1854 - Vergennes
Vergennes, a city of Addison county, Vermont, on the Otter creek, 7 miles from its en trance into Lake Champlain. and on the Rut land and Burlington railroad, 22 miles S. from Burlington. The creek is here about 600 feet wide, and navigable fur the largest vessels on the lake. Two islands opposite the city divide the stream into three channels, which have three distinct Bets of falls, affording an hydraulic power equal to the best in the state. During the war and non-intercourse with Great Britain, extensive iron manufactories were put in operation at these falls, and among other things produced was 177 tons of cannon-shot. In 1816 most of the iron-works were suspended, and have since only in part been resumed. Vergennes enjoys admirable advantages for ship-building. The flotilla, commanded by Commodore McDonough, at the battle in which the British fleet on Lake Champlain were captured, September 11, 1814, was fitted out at this place. The city is beautifully situated, and contains 3... Read MORE...

1869 - On the 8th inst., the snow drifts on the main streets of Vergennes, Vt., were from four to six feet.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
May 1, 1869

1872 - RAILROAD ACCIDENT. Narrow Escape of the Passengers of a Wrecked Train in Vermont.
RUTLAND, Vt., June 30. - The night express train over the Rutland division of the Vermont Central Railway, due in Rutland at about midnight, met last night with a serious accident just north of Vergennes. While passing over a narrow culvert at the rate of about thirty miles per hour the engineer felt a jar. The locomotive, however, passed in safety, but no sooner had it passed than the culvert fell in, making a most complete wreck of the train, consisting of a baggage car, New-York coach and sleeping car, and Boston coach and sleeping car. Strange to say but one person, a brakeman, was seriously injured, although all of the passengers were badly shaken up. It seems almost a miracle that many were not killed.
The New York Times
New York, New York
July 1, 1872

1900 - Heavy Fire Loss of Vergennes Firm
The Vergennes Manufacturing Company's plant caught fire Wednesday, February 21, and was burned to the ground. The loss is seven or eight thousand dollars and the plant was insured for $4,500. The firm were manufacturers of furniture, sash, doors and blinds and house furnishings and also ran a sawmill in connection with their other business. They employed 15 men. About $2,000 of finished work ready for shipment was burned. Several men lost their kits of tools on which their was no insurance. The fire is said to have caught in the dry-house. The building, known as the old tannery, was an old landmark in Vergennes.
St. Albans Daily Messenger
St. Albans, Vermont
February 26, 1900

1906
Vergennes, a banking city of Addison co., Vt., is beautifully situated on the navigable Otter Creek, 7 miles from its entrance into Lake Champlain and on the Rutland R., 21 miles S. of Burlington. Otter Creek here falls about 37 feet and affords ample water-power. It has manufactures of sash and doors and shade-rollers. The city commands fine views of mountain-scenery. Pop. in 1900, 1723.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1919 - Potato Spray Pump Exploded
R. L. Kingsland, of Vergennes, suffered a painful injury, when he started to retail a pump spray to use in a field of potatoes. As he unfastened one clamp which held the pump in place it exploded. When Mr. Kingsland was hit between the eyes, suffering a deep three-cornered wound, injuring the left yet. Mr. Kingsland was unconscious several minutes, and the explosion was heard several minutes, and the explosion was heard several houses away. The extent of the injury to the eye can not be ascertained yet. Mr. Kingsland although able to be up, is suffering greatly from shock.
St. Albans Daily Messenger
St. Albans, Vermont
August 11, 1919

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Vergennes:
Basin Harbor: Start your day with a visit to Basin Harbor, a beautiful resort on the shores of Lake Champlain. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, or if you're feeling more adventurous, consider renting a kayak or paddleboard.

Vergennes Falls Park: Take a walk in Vergennes Falls Park, a lovely spot to enjoy nature. The park features walking trails, picnic areas, and, of course, the picturesque falls. It's a great place for a relaxing afternoon.

Vergennes Opera House: Check out the events happening at the Vergennes Opera House. This historic venue hosts a variety of performances, from live music to theater productions. It's a great way to experience the local arts scene.

Bixby Library: For book lovers, a trip to Bixby Library is a must. This community library not only offers a vast collection of books but also hosts events, readings, and workshops. It's a hub for literary and cultural activities.

Walk around Main Street: Explore the quaint Main Street of... Read MORE...