History of Barre, Vermont, USA

Washington Co. Barre is a pleasant and flourishing town. It is considered one of the best farming towns in the State. Large quantities of pot and pearl ashes, beef, pork, butter, and cheese, are annually taken from this place to Boston market. It is well watered by Stevens' and Jail branches of Winose River, which afford good mill privileges. Inexhaustible quantities of granite are found here, of the excellent quality with which the capitol at Montpelier is built.

Boundaries. North by Montpelier and Plainfield, east by Orange, south by Williamstown, and west by Berlin.

First Settlers. This township was granted November 6, 1780, to William Williams and his associates, and chartered by the name of Wildersburgh. This name being unpopular with the inhabitants of the town, in the year I 1793, a town meeting was called, to be holden at the house of Calvin Smith, for the purpose of agreeing on some other name, to be presented to the legislature for their sanction and approval. The...

Barre, a post-township of Washing ton county, Vermont, 6 miles S. by E. from Montpelier, is well watered by two branches of the Onion river, which affords good mill privileges. The soil is perhaps the best in the state. The township contains a quarry of superior granite, from which the stone used in building the state house was taken. Population, 1835.

A number of business men from Swanton, mostly members of the local board of trade, took an outing yesterday for the puropse of sizing up the only town in Vermont that ever really boomed in true Western style. The returned home at night loaded with specimens of granite and pretty well satisfied that there are no flies on the granite town and nary a deserted farm in that vicinity. Through the courtesy of the Central road the party had a special train out of Swanton at 6.15, connecting with the regular at St. Albans. In the party was E. P. Adams, president of the board of trade, R. O. Sturtevant, H. F. Martin, B. B. Blake, 2nd, C. E. Hall, C. R. Hogle, J. P. Jewett, Dr. Leach, Henry Samson, G. w. Squier, O. S. Rixford and T. M. Tobin.

Arring at Barre the visitors were met by J. W. Connell,a gent for the Central, and F. W. Stnyan, acting superintendent of the Barre railroad. Under the guidance of these gentlemen the party visited the various cutting sheds, and saw granint in course of...

MILD SENSATION IN THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY REGION.
Considerable Alarm Felt in Montreal, Particularly in the Narrow Streets - Buildings Tremble and the Inmates Flee in Fright - Residents of Malone Greatly Excited - Reached Over Into New-Hampshire and Massachusetts.

BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 27.- A severe earthquake shock shook the buildings throughout the city at 11:53 o'clock this forenoon. The duration of the shock was about fifteen seconds. It was accompanied by a low rumbling noise. Telegrams and telephone messages from surrounding towns report the shock as having occurred simultaneously throughout Western Vermont. Eastern New-York, and most of the Providence of Quebec and a part of Ontario.

BARRE, Vt., Nov. 27. - Residents of this city were startled this noon by a rumbling sound, which at first appeared to be the sound of a moving train, but proved to be an earthquake. Buildings shook, dishes rattled, and doors flew open. Reports indicate that the shock was felt in many parts of...

Barre, a post-village of Washington co, Vt., in Barre township, on the Barre Branch of the Central Vermont Railroad, 5 or 6 miles S.E. of Montpelier, and on a branch of the Winooski River. It contains 3 churches, a national bank, the Barre Academy, a school called Goddard Seminary, and an iron-foundry. Barre township has a quarry of good granite, and manufactures of forks, ploughs, woollen goods, ice-tools, sash, &c. Pop. 1882.

BARRE, Vt., April 14. - For the past thirty-six hours it has been raining steadily. The river had lowered much from Tuesday's freshet, but early this morning it began to overflow its banks. By noon nearly every granite shed was surrounded by a small lake. In nearly every basement on the riverside on Main Street the water is from 1 to 3 feet deep, and much stock has been damaged. Steam pumps are kept at work throwing water from the cellars.

The side tracks of the Central and Wells River Railroads are submerged, and engines are hauling cars from the water. The Jail branch overflowed the Green Mountain Trotting Park. Several dwellings are surrounded by water, and a swift current is running through the Granite River. Large carloads of granite have been put on the bridge of the Barre Railroad to prevent the structure being carried down stream. The oldest inhabitants say that the water is high to-night than it has been since the great flood of 1869, and it is now raining hard.

(Special to the Messenger.)
BARRE, Feb. 26. - A hot water heater exploded this morning in the barber shop of William Miers on Main street, blowing out the front of the shop and sending several pieces of the heater through the walls into the adjoining stores.

Fred Beckman, one of the three barbers in the shop at the time, was knocked senseless and at noon had not recovered consciousness. He was hurt about the head but it is not yet known how seriously.

Barre, March 10. - A mass meeting of the granite quarrymen was held in the town hall of Barre town, Saturday evening for the purpose of organizing a quarrymen's union, the object being to demand a day of eight hours with nine hours' pay.

The officers elected were, president, G. M. McLeod; vice-president, Albert Davis; financial secretary, Norman G. McDonald; recording secretary, Andrew J. Welch; treasurer, Joseph Clark.

There was an attendance of 600 and during the progress of the meeting the floor sank several feet, making a loud report. Several men jumped fromt he windows but no one was injured.

Two Business Blocks Destroyed and the Loss Is Nearly $100,000.

BARRE, VT., Feb. 21. - A fire in the business section of this city on the Main Street early to-day destroyed nearly $100,000 worth of property. It started in the basement of the new Currier Block, and the tenants on the third floor of the building barely escaped. With the thermometer standing at 16 degrees below zero and the water freezing on the firemen and even to the burning building, the department was prevented from doing effective work.

As the flames spread it was decided to call on Montpelier for assistance, and by the aid given by the men from that city the flames were kept from going beyond the Currier Block, which was of brick, and the adjoining Sheplee Block of wood. These buildings were destroyed. All losses are partly covered by insurance.

The city of Barre is showing a commendable anxiety that her new library building should be built of granite. The name Barre granite is known the world over to construct such a building of any other material would seem out of place in Barre. There is little hope of the taxpayers doing anything by means of an extra levy and now the architect is shaving the plans.

BARRE, Vt., June 15. - A Central Vermont Railroad engine, running light, toppled over as it was crossing a bridge this afternoon, landing bottom up in the street, fifteen feet below. BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, aged 21, of Montpelier, fireman of the engine, was so badly scalded that he died to-night at a local hospital; JAMES SMITH, 28, a brakeman, had his back broken and is not expected to recover, and Joseph Derry, the engineer, received scalp wounds.

Barre, a banking city of Washington co., Vt., on the Central Vermont and other railroads, 6 miles SE. of Montpelier, and on a branch of the Winooski River. It has the Goddard Seminary and manufactures of foundry-products, stone-cutters' tools, etc. Pop. in 1900, 8448. Barre town ship (town), which formerly included Barre, has some of the largest granite-quarries in the United States. Pop. in 1900, 3346.

Rock of Ages Granite Quarry:

Start your visit with a trip to the Rock of Ages Quarry. It's one of the world's largest deep-hole dimension granite quarries. You can take guided tours to see the impressive granite formations and learn about the quarrying process.

Vermont History Center:

Dive into the history of Vermont at the Vermont History Center. It's a great place to learn about the state's past, with exhibits and artifacts that showcase the cultural heritage of Vermont.

Thunder Road SpeedBowl:

If you're a fan of racing, Thunder Road SpeedBowl is the place to be. Catch some high-octane racing action at this renowned quarter-mile oval track.

Barre Opera House:

Check out a performance at the Barre Opera House. This historic venue hosts concerts, plays, and other live performances. It's a beautifully restored building with a lot of character.

Studio Place Arts:

For art enthusiasts, Studio Place Arts is a must-visit. This community-based visual arts center...