History of Brattleboro, Vermont, USA

1839 - Brattleborough
Brattleborough, Vermont
Windham county. This town is situated in the southeasterly quarter of the state and county; is bounded E. by Connecticut river, S. by Vernon and Guilford, W. by Marlboro, and N. by Dummerston. At the N.E. section of the town is the site of the once famous military post, Fort Dummer, nothing of which is now retained but the name, Dummer Meadows. At the mouth of Whetstone brook is a commodious landing place for river craft. Brattleborough is connected with Hinsdale and Chesterfield by a handsome covered bridge, spanning the Connecticut, and terminating at its western abutment in the east village, where the north, the south, the east, and the west lines of mail stages concentrate. The town and vicinity are noticed for their salubrious air, pure water, and fine mountain scenery. It is watered on the east by the Connecticut, and is intersected by West river, Whetstone brook, and numerous small streams. There are many sites for water power on the larger streams,... Read MORE...

1842 - Inmates Publish Newspaper
The inmates of the Insane Asylum at Brattleboro, Vermont, have commenced the publication of a weekly newspaper, called the Asylum Journal. - They have got out a 'crazy man's ticket' - the candidates selected, are from each of the great political parties. The Journal says, 'if we can unite the crazy ones of both parties we shall elect our candidates.'
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Jamestown Journal
New York
December 8, 1842

1846 - First postage stamp used in America was made in Brattleboro in 1846.

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1849 Brattleborough
Windham Co. The surface of the town is considerably broken. A little west of the centre are two elevations called Great and Little Round Mountain. They are both accessible, and most of the land capable of cultivation. The soil is similar to that generally found along the Connecticut, consisting of intervale, sand, loam and gravel, with such timber as is naturally adapted to them. The principal streams are West River and Whetstone Brook. The former runs but a short distance in town, entering it from Dummerston and falling into Connecticut River near the north-east corner. Whetstone Brook rises in Marlborough and runs through Brattleborough very near the centre. This affords many excellent water privileges, which are already occupied by a great variety of mills and other machinery.

Connecticut River forms the eastern boundary for about six miles. It runs in several places with a strong current, denominated "The swift water," by the boatmen. The river is crossed at the lower part of... Read MORE...

1854 - Brattleborough
Brattleborough, a post-township of Windham county, Vermont, on the right bank of Connecticut river, 100 miles S. from Montpelier. A fort, called Fort Dummer, was built in 1724, in the S. W. part of the township, on what is now called "Dummer Meadows." This was the first settlement made in Vermont. Population, 3816.

Brattleborough East Village, a flourishing post-village of Brattleborough township, Windham county, Vermont, at the junction of Whetstone creek with the Connecticut river, about 100 miles S. from Montpelier. It is one of the most active business places in the state, and contains, besides the public buildings, numerous manufactories, a bank, several water-power printing presses, and an asylum for the insane. A covered bridge across the Connecticut connects the place with Hinsdale in New Hampshire. It is also in the line of the Connecticut River railroad. The asylum for the insane is situated a short distance N. W. of the village, and is in a flourishing condition. In... Read MORE...

1868 - A cow in West Brattleboro, Vt., recently lost a large portion of her tongue by it being bitten off by a horse standing in an adjoining stall.
The cow was accustomed to steal the hay of her neighbor, who showed his resentment by depriving the culprit of the "unruly member."
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
February 1, 1868

1871 - Advertised His Wife
A Brattleboro, Vermont, husband who had posted his wife took it all back. 'Having advertised my wife last week while under the influence of intoxicating drink and advice of others, I hereby give notice that said advertisement was without just cause or provocation, and is hereby retracted.'
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Cincinnati Daily Enquirer
Cincinnati, Ohio
August 4, 1871

1873 - Paper Swindle
At the convention of manufacturers of thin manilla paper, held at Brattleboro, Vermont, a nice little swindle was talked over and condemned. It originated in a discussion upon the practice of putting up paper with a less number than twenty-four sheets to the quire. It was found that quite a large amount of paper was ordered by the dealers at twenty and even sixteen sheets to the quire, and that the consequence was many bought and sold it supposing that they were getting a lawful ream of 480 sheets. It was voted 'to decline all future orders for short counts.'
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Indianapolis Sentinel
Indianapolis, Indiana
April 2, 1873

1886 - THE BRIDGE GAVE WAY. A FATAL RAILROAD ACCIDENT NEAR BRATTLEBOROUGH, VT.
BRATTLEBOROUGH, Vt., Aug. 18. - An accident occurred on the narrow gauge railroad here to-night, in which the engineer of a train and one passenger were killed and seven other passengers were seriously injured. The scene of the accident was one mile from the village, at the mouth of West River, where a bridge, constructed of wood and iron, 200 feet long, spanned the stream 60 feet above the water. The bridge broke down under the weight of a mixed train, consisting of six flat and two box cars and one passenger and baggage car, all of which went down with the structure, burying the engineer under the locomotive in 15 feet of water. The train was loaded with granite, lumber, and smaller freight all of which is a complete wreck in the river. The passenger car and the two box cars went down 35 feet with the trestle work anchored to the pier at the north end of the bridge. Among the injured are the following:

J. J. GREEN, station agent at Newfane, internally injured; has since died.
E. ... Read MORE...

1895 - Brattleborough
Brattleborough, a post-village of Windham co., Vt. in Brattleborough township, on the Connecticut River, about 1 mile below the mouth of West River, and on the Central Vermont Railroad, 77 miles S.S.E. of Rutland, 110 miles S. of Montpelier, and 119 miles W.N.W. of Boston. It has a bridge across the Connecticut River, 2 national banks, 2 savings-banks, 8 churches, a graded school, 2 large manufactories of parlor organs, and manufactures of carriages, furniture, and machinery. It is the seat of the Vermont Asylum for the Insane. Two weekly newspapers are published here. Pop. in 1880, 4471; in 1890, 5467; of the township in 1890, 6862.
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

1910 - BRATTLEBORO. Fire on Wantastiquet Mountain.
A fire which started Saturday on Wantastiquet mountain, just across the Connecticut river from Brattleboro, raged all day yesterday and it is not probable that it can be stopped until it has burned itself out. The leaves and undergrowth are very dry and after the fire once got headway it was impossible to check it. The part of the mountain which is being burned over belongs to the Brattleboro retreat. When the conditions on the mountainside were realized all systematic attempt to put out the fire was abandoned. The mountainside has been burned over each spring for several years and there is nothing to burn, excepting the accumulation of last year. The annual burning over is destroying the newer growth, although the old trees are not much damage. The burnt tract presents a scene of desolation which the growth of one season cannot hide. Without the fires the mountain in a few years would be green and attractive again.
Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
April 18, 1910

1916
Brattleboro, a post-village of Windham co., Vt., in Brattleboro township (town), on the Connecticut River, about 1 mile below the mouth of the West River, and on the Central Vermont and the Boston and Maine Rs., 77 miles SSE. of Rutland. It is charmingly situated in the centre of the maple-sugar region of Vermont, and has large manufactures of parlor-organs, carriages, furniture, canning-machinery, etc. It is the scat of the Brattleboro Retreat (asylum for the insane). Pop. in 1890, 5467 ; in 1900, 5297 ; of the town, 6640.
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 BRIDGE SWEPT AWAY, ONE MAN DROWNED - Flood Carries Iron Structure Down Stream at Brattleboro, Vt.
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., March 28. - The iron suspension bridge crossing the Connecticut River in this town was swept away by the swift current tonight.

Cornelius Flanagan, an aged resident of the town, who was crossing, went down with the bridge. The structure was about 300 feet in length.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 29, 1920

There are plenty of places to go and things to do in Brattleboro. Here's a list to get you started:
Brattleboro Museum & Art Center: Start your visit with a dose of culture at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. This contemporary art museum features rotating exhibitions of both local and international artists. It's a great place to explore the visual arts scene in the region.

Grafton Village Cheese Company: Just a short drive from Brattleboro, Grafton Village Cheese Company is a must-visit for cheese lovers. You can tour the cheese factory and sample their delicious cheddar cheese. The quaint village of Grafton itself is worth a stroll.

Fort Dummer State Park: For outdoor enthusiasts, Fort Dummer State Park offers hiking trails, a picnic area, and a historic site. The park is a great place for a family outing or a leisurely nature walk.

Brattleboro Farmers' Market: If you're visiting on a Saturday, don't miss the Brattleboro Farmers' Market. It's a hub of local food, artisan crafts, and live music. It's a great place to experience the community and taste Vermont's... Read MORE...