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History of Pownal, Vermont, USA
Journey back in time to Pownal, Vermont, USA
Also known as(North, Center)
Explore the history, people, photographs, newspapers, postcards, and genealogy connected to Pownal, Vermont, USA.
ABOUT THE PLACE
About Pownal
Pownal, Bennington, Vermont, USA
Located in the southwest corner of Vermont the township of Pownal is bordered on the west by the Taconic Mountains and on the east by the Green Mountain range. The Hoosac River enters the town from the south and has a course of about three miles before crossing the border into New York state.
Even though first settled by the Dutch farmers in the 1730’s the town carries the name of an English colonial administrator Governor Thomas Pownall of Massachusetts colony. The governor had the distinction of being respected as one of the ablest British government officials and was a friend of Gov. Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire. The town’s official charter still exists and is dated Jan 8, 1760. Seth Hudson, former soldier and surgeon at Fort Massachusetts, is credited with being the “founder” of Pownal...
The first settlers after the Dutch came from neighboring towns, Rhode Island, and Litchfield, Connecticut area.
thisisvermont.com
Communities within Pownal include:
Pownal
North Pownal
Pownal Center
Located in the southwest corner of Vermont the township of Pownal is bordered on the west by the Taconic Mountains and on the east by the Green Mountain range. The Hoosac River enters the town from the south and has a course of about three miles before crossing the border into New York state.
Even though first settled by the Dutch farmers in the 1730’s the town carries the name of an English colonial administrator Governor Thomas Pownall of Massachusetts colony. The governor had the distinction of being respected as one of the ablest British government officials and was a friend of Gov. Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire. The town’s official charter still exists and is dated Jan 8, 1760. Seth Hudson, former soldier and surgeon at Fort Massachusetts, is credited with being the “founder” of Pownal...
The first settlers after the Dutch came from neighboring towns, Rhode Island, and Litchfield, Connecticut area.
thisisvermont.com
Communities within Pownal include:
Pownal
North Pownal
Pownal Center
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VINTAGE POWNAL
Pownal Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Pownal Centre, Vt., On line of Berkshire St. R.R.){kind=small}
Pownal Centre, Vt., On line of Berkshire St. R.R.
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Bird's Eye View){kind=small}
Bird's Eye View
Pownal, Vermont, USA
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 - The Dugway, Pownal Vt., 1906){kind=small}
The Dugway, Pownal Vt., 1906
Pownal, Vermont, USA
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 - Main Street){kind=small}
Main Street
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Methodist Church, Pownal, Vt.){kind=small}
Methodist Church, Pownal, Vt.
Pownal, Vermont, USA
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 - Main Street, Pownal, Vt.){kind=small}
Main Street, Pownal, Vt.
Show more vintage photos, ads & postcards
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Barbers Pond){kind=small}
Barbers Pond
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Main St., Pownal, Vt., 1915){kind=small}
Main St., Pownal, Vt., 1915
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Pownal, Vt.){kind=small}
Pownal, Vt.
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - The Dam at Pownal Vt.){kind=small}
The Dam at Pownal Vt.
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Pownal Center, Vt. Looking North){kind=small}
Pownal Center, Vt. Looking North
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Hotel, North Pownal, Vt.){kind=small}
Hotel, North Pownal, Vt.
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - The Olde Whipple Residence, North Pownal, Vt.){kind=small}
The Olde Whipple Residence, North Pownal, Vt.
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Powell's Store, No. Pownal, Vt.){kind=small}
Powell's Store, No. Pownal, Vt.
Pownal, Vermont, USA
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 - Congregational Church){kind=small}
Congregational Church
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - New Baptist Church){kind=small}
New Baptist Church
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Residence of F. F. Mason, Grand View Farm, Pownal Centre, Vt.){kind=small}
Residence of F. F. Mason, Grand View Farm, Pownal Centre, Vt.
Pownal, Vermont, USA
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 - Cherry Court){kind=small}
Cherry Court
Pownal, Vermont, USA
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 - Proud's Rest){kind=small}
Proud's Rest
Pownal, Vermont, USA
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 - The Red Door Cabins and Motel){kind=small}
The Red Door Cabins and Motel
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Basketball at Kamp Kaaterskill, Pownal, Vt.){kind=small}
Basketball at Kamp Kaaterskill, Pownal, Vt.
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Ladd Brook Motel){kind=small}
Ladd Brook Motel
Pownal, Vermont, USA
Postcard
 - Green Mountain Race Track){kind=small}
Green Mountain Race Track
Genealogy gifts & optional resources
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Genealogy Gifts & Resources Related to POWNAL
VERMONT Ancestors Genealogy Mug - Maple Syrup, Skiing and Craft Breweries - Vermont Roots Gift
Vermont ancestry explains a lot. 🍁 Celebrate your Green Mountain roots with a playful mix of skiing, pure maple syrup, sugar on snow, Vermont creemees, craft breweries, covered bridges and mountain scenery, all wrapped up in a vintage-inspired tribute to the place your ancestors called home.
VERMONT Long Trail Mug – Vintage Postcard - Hiking & Adventure Coffee Cup
Carry a piece of Vermont with every sip! The Long Trail Vermont Mug features vintage postcard art and the charming slogan “Following Footprints of the Past on the Long Trail!” Perfect for hikers, history buffs, and coffee lovers alike, this high-quality ceramic mug is dishwasher & microwave safe. Ideal for sipping coffee while planning your next trek, reminiscing about past hikes, or cozy mornings with maps spread out, it’s a heartfelt nod to adventure, nature, and the trails that connect us. Bring warmth, story, and a touch of Vermont to your kitchen or campsite!
VERMONT Long Trail Aluminum Bookmark - Following in the Footsteps of Hikers Before Me
Mark your place in style with this durable aluminum bookmark featuring a vintage postcard image of Vermont’s legendary Long Trail. Adorned with the inspiring slogan "Following in the Footsteps of Those Who Hiked Before Me!", it’s the perfect keepsake for outdoor enthusiasts, history lovers, and Long Trail hikers. Lightweight yet sturdy, this bookmark makes a great gift for bookworms and adventurers alike. Whether you're reading trail guides or your favorite novel, let this bookmark keep the spirit of the Long Trail alive!
LOCAL HISTORY
Discover Pownal: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Pownal through the years.
1760 - January 28 - Pownal, Vermont created by Benning Wentworth as one of the New Hampshire Grants.
1791 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,746
1800 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,692
1810 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,655
1820 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,812
1830 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,835
1835 - FRIGHTFUL DISASTER.
A shocking catastrophe occurred lately on the banks of the Hoosic River, in the town of Pownal, Vermont. A party of six persons, consisting of a gentleman and his wife and two children, a young lady about 18, sister of the married lady, and a young gentleman, a lawyer, from Enfield, Conn., while travelling in a two horse pleasure wagon, were precipitated from a precipice 50 feet high into the torrent below, and 3 of the number killed !!
The two ladies and child were killed instantly, and the little girl is not expected to recover. The gentlemen were seriously but not dangerously injured. The young lady was on her return from a boarding school in Connecticut, to her parents in Vermont.
The two ladies and child were killed instantly, and the little girl is not expected to recover. The gentlemen were seriously but not dangerously injured. The young lady was on her return from a boarding school in Connecticut, to her parents in Vermont.
1839 - Pownal
Pownal, Vermont
Bennington county. First settled, 1761. Population, in 1830, 1,835. Pownal lies 30 miles W. by S. from Brattleborough and 8 S. from Bennington. The surface is broken and hilly, but the soil is strong and remarkably well adapted for grass, producing all the varieties of the dairy in great abundance and of an excellent quality. The number of sheep kept in this town is about 8,000. Pownal is watered by Hoosack and Walloomsac rivers, which produce a good water power. The village is very pleasant.
Bennington county. First settled, 1761. Population, in 1830, 1,835. Pownal lies 30 miles W. by S. from Brattleborough and 8 S. from Bennington. The surface is broken and hilly, but the soil is strong and remarkably well adapted for grass, producing all the varieties of the dairy in great abundance and of an excellent quality. The number of sheep kept in this town is about 8,000. Pownal is watered by Hoosack and Walloomsac rivers, which produce a good water power. The village is very pleasant.
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1840 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,613
1849 Pownal
Bennington Co. The surface of this township is considerably uneven, but the soil is generally good, and produces plentiful crops. It is well adapted to the production of grain and grass, and here are kept some of the finest dairies in the State. The principal stream is Hoosic River, which is [formed here and passes off in a northwesterly direction into the town of Hoosic, N. Y. Along this stream are some rich and beautiful tracts of intervale, and on it are several valuable stands for mills.
Some of the head branches of Walloomscoik River rise in the north-eastern part of Pownal, and pass off into Bennington.
Boundaries. North by Bennington, east by Stamford, south by Williamstown, Mass., and west by Hoosic, New York.
First Settlers. The settlement of Pownal, under the New Hampshire charter, was commenced in the spring of 1762, there being at that time four or five Dutch families within the limits of the township, claiming under the "Hoosic Patent," granted by the...
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Some of the head branches of Walloomscoik River rise in the north-eastern part of Pownal, and pass off into Bennington.
Boundaries. North by Bennington, east by Stamford, south by Williamstown, Mass., and west by Hoosic, New York.
First Settlers. The settlement of Pownal, under the New Hampshire charter, was commenced in the spring of 1762, there being at that time four or five Dutch families within the limits of the township, claiming under the "Hoosic Patent," granted by the...
1854 - Pownal
Powjjal, a post-township in Bennington CO., Vermont, 130 miles S. W. from Montpelier. Population, 1742.
1864 - Train Accident
James Claney, 36 years of age, for three years a soldier, but recently a resident of Pownal, and track-master on the Troy and Boston railroad, was run over and instantly killed by an evening train, week before last, near North Pownal.
1883 - WRECK AND FIRE. Two Freight Trains Collide in Vermont.
At Least Four Employes Killed-The Wreck on Fire.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass., Aug. 1 - At 9:20 this morning a freight train of the Troy and Boston Road collided, about half way between Petersburgh Junction and Pownal, with a train of the same road, also freight, and at least four men were killed and probably more. Operator T. W. Johnson at Petersburgh Junction had orders to stop the train at his station but he neglected it and the train rushed by smashing into train six with terrible force just around a sharps curve. One train had forty five cars, part of them loaded and part light. The other train had twenty-five cars. Each engine was driven into the other and fifty cars were piled on top of them, while some fell into the Hoosac River, near by. The engines began to burn and communicated fire to the cars on top, and in a few minutes the whole was one mass of flames. About five minutes after the crash a passenger train with four cars, all full, was due, and a brakeman with hands, face and head ...
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass., Aug. 1 - At 9:20 this morning a freight train of the Troy and Boston Road collided, about half way between Petersburgh Junction and Pownal, with a train of the same road, also freight, and at least four men were killed and probably more. Operator T. W. Johnson at Petersburgh Junction had orders to stop the train at his station but he neglected it and the train rushed by smashing into train six with terrible force just around a sharps curve. One train had forty five cars, part of them loaded and part light. The other train had twenty-five cars. Each engine was driven into the other and fifty cars were piled on top of them, while some fell into the Hoosac River, near by. The engines began to burn and communicated fire to the cars on top, and in a few minutes the whole was one mass of flames. About five minutes after the crash a passenger train with four cars, all full, was due, and a brakeman with hands, face and head ...
1895 - Pownal
Pownal, a post-village in Pownal township, Bennington co., Vt., on the Hoosac River, and on the Troy & Boston Railroad, 9 miles N.W. of North Adams, Mass., and 10 miles S. of Bennington. It contains 2 churches, the Rural Home School for boys, and a manufactory of cotton and woollen goods. The township contains a hamlet named North Pownal. Pop. of the township, 1919.
1906
Pownal, a post-village in Pownal township (town), Bennington co., Vt., on the Hoosac River and on the Boston and Maine R., 10 miles S. of Bennington. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1976; of the village, about 450.
1910 - FIRE IN VERMONT
NORTH POWNAL, Vt., April 6. - Fire today destroyed three buildings here, causing a loss of about $75,000. Among the buildings destroyed was the Congregational church, in which former President James A. Garfield taught school while a student at Williams college.
Here's a list of the best places to go and things to do in Pownal:
Green Mountain National Forest:
Pownal is nestled near the Green Mountain National Forest, providing ample opportunities for hiking, camping, and enjoying nature. The forest is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering trails that cater to various skill levels.
Berkshire East Canopy Tours:
For those seeking a bit of adventure, Berkshire East Canopy Tours, though a bit of a drive, offers thrilling zip line experiences through the treetops. It's an exhilarating way to take in the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
Lake Paran:
This serene lake is a great spot for fishing, kayaking, or just relaxing by the water. It's a peaceful retreat, perfect for a quiet day outdoors. Check out the walking trails around the lake for a leisurely stroll.
Maple Syrup Farms:
Vermont is famous for its maple syrup, and Pownal is no exception. Visit a local maple syrup farm to learn about the syrup-making process, taste fresh maple products, and perhaps even purchase some to take home...
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Pownal is nestled near the Green Mountain National Forest, providing ample opportunities for hiking, camping, and enjoying nature. The forest is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering trails that cater to various skill levels.
Berkshire East Canopy Tours:
For those seeking a bit of adventure, Berkshire East Canopy Tours, though a bit of a drive, offers thrilling zip line experiences through the treetops. It's an exhilarating way to take in the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
Lake Paran:
This serene lake is a great spot for fishing, kayaking, or just relaxing by the water. It's a peaceful retreat, perfect for a quiet day outdoors. Check out the walking trails around the lake for a leisurely stroll.
Maple Syrup Farms:
Vermont is famous for its maple syrup, and Pownal is no exception. Visit a local maple syrup farm to learn about the syrup-making process, taste fresh maple products, and perhaps even purchase some to take home...
GENEALOGY IN POWNAL
Discover YOUR Roots: Pownal Ancestry
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BIRTHS & DEATHS
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Pownal, Vermont, USA
We currently have information about 53 ancestors who were born or died in Pownal.
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Ancestors Who Were Married in Pownal, Vermont, USA
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Updated: 1/9/2025 5:05:39 PM
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