Castleton, Vermont, USA (Hydeville)
1849 - Castleton

Rutland Co. This is a flourishing town, watered by a river of the same name. The surface of the town is rough and hilly, but there is some rich land. Mill streams abound in Castleton, on which are a woollen and other manufacturing establishments. Lake Bombazine, seven miles in length and two in breadth, is chiefly in this town. It is stored with fish, and has an island near its centre of exquisite beauty. The village of Castleton is elevated, neatly built, and presents a great variety of rich and beautiful scenery.

There is considerable variety in the soil and surface of Castleton. The rocks are chiefly argillaceous, occasionally traversed by veins of quartz, and occasionally alternating with, or enclosing large masses of the latter rock ; small quantities of secondary limestone are found in a few localities. Specimens of oxide of manganese are found in the vicinity of Bird's Mountain, in the south-east part of the town. The rocks are disposed in elevated ridges, in the eastern and northern sections, and are in some places abrupt and precipitous ; but for the most part covered with fertile arable soil. The south-west part is a pine plain, in some places intersected by slate rock and ridges of slate gravel. The larger streams are generally bordered by rich alluvial intervales, which, in some instances, are broad and extensive. The soil of the plains is sandy and light : on the hills it is slaty gravel, loam, and vegetable mould; these soils are rendered much more productive by the use of plaster of Paris ; that of the intervales is strong and productive, in many places however requiring drainage.

The outlet of the lake, at its southern extremity, has sufficient declivity and volume of water to propel a large amount of machinery. Castleton River, which arises in Pittsford, traverses a part of Rutland, Ira, and Castleton, from east to west, where it receives the waters of Lake Bombazine. It afterwards unites with Poultney River, in Fair Haven, and enters Lake Champlain at East Bay. This river and its tributary brooks furnish considerable water power, which is improved in propelling various kinds of machinery. Being increased by many abundant springs along its bed, its waters are very pure and cool in summer, and seldom frozen in winter.

The village of Castleton was incorporated in 184:7, and contains some very handsome public and private buildings.

Boundaries. South by Poultney, east by Ira, north by Hubbardton, west by Fair Haven.

First Settlers. The first dwellinghouse was erected in August, 1769, of which Col. Lee and his servant were the sole inhabitants the following winter. In 1770, Ephraim Buel, Eleazer, Bartholomew, and Zadock Remington, with their families, settled in this town, and were soon followed by Cols. Bird and Lee. The first inhabitants were chiefly emigrants from Connecticut. The enterprise and worth of Cols. Bird and Lee, entitle them to a prominent place in the early history of Castleton ; the former died in the midst of active benevolent exertions for the infant settlement, September 16, 1762. His solitary monument on the banks of Castleton River, and an isolated mountain in the south-cast comer of the town, are memorials of his name, still associated with the remembrance of his worth. Col. Lee was vigilant and active amidst the hardships and dangers which were encountered by the first settlers, under the government of New Hampshire and the council of safety, and the vexatious embarrassments consequent to the claims of jurisdiction by the State of New York.

First Ministers. A Congregational Church was organized here in 1784. Rev. Mathias Cazier was settled in 1789, and dismissed in 1792. Rev. I Elisha Smith was installed in 1804; dismissed in 1826.

Manufactures. Castleton affords numerous and valuable sites for manufacturing purposes. Operations have already commenced, and many articles are manufactured.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 1,752 bushels; Indian corn, 10,185 bushels; potatoes, 23,915 bushels; hay, 4,479 tons ; maple sugar, 8,660 pounds ; wool, 27,631 pounds.

Distances. Eleven miles west from Rutland, seventy-two south-west from Montpelier, and thirteen east from Whitehall. The great Southern Railroad passes near this town.

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

Visit Castleton, Vermont, USA (Hydeville)
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.