History of Bethel, Vermont, USA

1791 - Population of Bethel, Vermont - 473

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

1800 - Population of Bethel, Vermont - 913

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

1810 - Population of Bethel, Vermont - 1,041

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

1820 - Population of Bethel, Vermont - 1,318

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

1830 - Population of Bethel, Vermont - 1,667

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

1839 - Bethel
Bethel, Vermont
Windsor county. This town was first settled in 1780, and was the first town chartered by the government of Vermont. It lies 31 miles S. by W. from Montpelier and 30 N.W. from Windsor. Population, 1830, 1,240. Bethel is watered by branches of White river, and possesses good mill sites. Soap stone is found here in great quantities and of good quality: much of it is sawed and transported. Garnet in small, but perfect crystals, is also common. The surface of Bethel is broken and mountainous, but the soil is warm and good for grazing. It has about 8,000 sheep. Considerble business is done at both villages, East and West; the latter is the largest.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1840 - Population of Bethel, Vermont - 1,886

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

1849 Bethel
Windsor Co. Bethel is watered by branches of White River, and possesses good mill sites. Soap stone is found here in great quantities and of good quality ; much of it is sawed and transported. Garnet in small, but perfect crystals, is also common. The surface of Bethel is broken and mountainous, but the soil is warm and good for grazing. Considerable business is done at both villages. East and West; the latter is the largest.

Boundaries. North by Randolph, east by Royalton, south by Stockbridge, and a small part of Barnard, and west by Rochester.

First Settlers. This township was chartered to John Payne, John House, Dudley Chase, and others, Dec. 23, 1779, containing thirty-six square miles. The first township chartered by the government. The settlement of this town commenced in the fall of 1779, by Benjamin Smith. A small stockade fort was built here at the commencement of the settlement. The town was organized in 1782.

First Ministers. The Rev. Thomas Russell was settled by ... Read MORE...

1854 - Bethel
Bethel, a post-township of Windsor county, Vermont, on the Vermont Central railroad, 38 miles S. from Montpelier, and 39 miles N. from Windsor. In the place is an inexhaustible quarry of soapstone, which is exported in considerable quantities. Population, 1730. The village contains a bank.,

Bethel, a post-village in the above town ship, contains several stores, a number of mills, and 3 or 4 tanneries.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1895 - Bethel
Bethel, a post-village of Windsor co., Vt., in Bethel township, on White River, and on the Central Vermont Rail road, 37 miles S. of Montpelier. It has 3 churches, a bank, a newspaper office, and manufactures of ivory buttons, flour, and lumber. Pop. of the township, 1817.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1903 - WILL USE BETHEL GRANITE. A $100,000 Contract for Two Fifth Avenue Houses.
Bethel, Jan. 20. - The Woodbury Granite Co., holders of the Harlow granite quarry in Bethel, have just closed a contract for furnishing Bethel granite for two palatial residences on Fifth ave., New York city, facing Central park. The first will be built for J. D. Lyon and will be erected next to Levi P. Morton's house.

The second house to be erected just beyond Mr. Lyon's will be for Harry Payne Whitney, son of William C. Whitney, a former secretary of the navy. Mr. Whitney's house will have a frontage of 48 feet on Central park and will have a depth of 75 feet.

This contract calls for 20,000 cubic feet of granite and it is understood that the price for the granite is not far from $100,000. The firsts granite must be delivered in New York by March 1 and the last by October 1.

This work will employ from 30 to 50 quarrymen at Bethel at once. The finishing will be done at Hardwick until the snow is gone, when it is expected that a plant will be erected at Bethel which will... Read MORE...

1905 - NEARING COMPLETION. Trains Will Be Running Over Bethel Granite Railway in a Few Weeks.
The construction of the Bethel Granite railway is rapidly nearing completion, and trains will be running over it in a few weeks. The work was begun early in May, last, and has progressed rapidly. The track is now laid for two-thirds of the distance and the work of ballasting has begun. Ross & McRae, of Strathroy, Ont., are the contractors.

The Bethel Granite railway is a little over five miles and runs from a point on the main line of the Central Vermont railway, near the station at Bethel up on to Bethel mountain to the white granite quarries. The quarries of the E. B. Ellis Co., the Hardwick Granite Co., and others will be reached. The principal business of the road will be to haul granite from the quarries and to take machinery and supplies to these quarries.

The quarries which are reached by this new road lie between 600 and 700 feet above the village of Bethel. The ruling grade is about 3 1/ 2 per cent or about 185 feet to the mile.

The Bethel Granite railway is the third ... Read MORE...

1916
Bethel, a banking post-village of Windsor co., Vt., in Bethel township (town), on White River and on the Central Vermont R., 37 miles S. of Montpelier. It has flour- and lumber-mills, tanneries, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1611.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1920 - NEW BETHEL FACTORY. Weston, Mass., Shoe Plant Will Come to Vermont.
Bethel, March 30. - Arrangements have been closed for the transfer to Bethel of the shoe manufacturing business of the Seaver Shoe Co., now located at Stoneham, Mass. A corporation will be organized under the laws of the state of Vermont to carry on and increase the business by Bethel men who will furnish additional capital. The Weston shop has been secured for the business, and work will begin this week fitting the building for occupancy and it is expected that about May 1 Mr. Seaver will move his present business from Stoneham to Bethel. He will at first use entirely new machinery and as the business gets under way will move his machinery now in use in Stoneham to Bethel.

The company manufactures sizes three to five and one half of children's shoes and have already an established market. It will employ about sixty hands, of whom three fourths will be female.
St Albans Daily Messenger
St Albans, Vermont
March 30, 1920

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Bethel:
White River Valley Historical Society:

Start your journey by exploring the local history at the White River Valley Historical Society. Learn about Bethel's past through exhibits and artifacts.

Bethel Village Trails:

Take a hike or a leisurely walk along the Bethel Village Trails. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the area and breathe in the fresh Vermont air.

Bethel Village Historic District:

Stroll through the Bethel Village Historic District and admire the well-preserved architecture. You'll find buildings dating back to the 19th century, giving you a glimpse into the town's history.

Millstone Hill Touring Center:

If you enjoy outdoor activities, visit the Millstone Hill Touring Center. It offers a network of trails for hiking and mountain biking in a beautiful granite quarry landscape.

Vermont Independent School of the Arts (VISA):

Check out any events or workshops happening at the Vermont Independent School of the Arts. It's a hub for creativity and cultural... Read MORE...