History of Pownal, Vermont, USA

1760 - January 28 - Pownal, Vermont created by Benning Wentworth as one of the New Hampshire Grants.

historyorb.com

1791 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,746

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

1800 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,692

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

1810 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,655

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

1820 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,812

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

1830 - Population of Pownal, Vermont - 1,835

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

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.
Adams Sentinel
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
February 23, 1835

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.
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 Pownal, Vermont - 1,613

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

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... Read MORE...

1854 - Pownal
Powjjal, a post-township in Bennington CO., Vermont, 130 miles S. W. from Montpelier. Population, 1742.
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.

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.
The Vermont Phoenix
Brattleboro, Vermont
December 2, 1864

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 ... Read MORE...

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.
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

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.
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

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.
Salt Lake Telegram
Salt Lake City, Utah
April 6, 1910

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... Read MORE...