Brandon, Vermont
| Brandon, Vermont | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
Downtown Brandon
|
|
 Brandon, Vermont |
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Vermont |
| County | Rutland |
| Area | |
| • Total | 40.2 sq mi (104.0 km2) |
| • Land | 40.1 sq mi (103.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.1 km2) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 3,966 |
| • Density | 99/sq mi (38/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 05733 |
| Area code(s) | 802 |
| Website | www.town.brandon.vt.us |
Brandon is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,966 at the 2010 census.
On October 20, 1761, the town of Neshobe was chartered to Capt. Josiah Powers. In October 1784, the name of the town was changed to Brandon by an act of legislature.
Brandon is a study in early American architecture and Vermont history. When the first settlers came to the area in the mid-1770s, they established the village of Neshobe. The area was rich in natural resources with excellent farmland along the rivers and abundant supplies of timber and minerals. The town flourished during the 1800s with several industries relying on the key resources of waterpower, iron ore and marble. The coming of the railroad in 1849 enabled the manufacture and shipping of iron-based products such as the Howe scale, as well as Brandon paints, wood products and marble.
During its century of rapid growth, Brandon Village evolved a unique village plan. The historic Crown Point military road came through Brandon to connect Lake Champlain to the Atlantic coast. In the ensuing decades, government and individuals developed commercial streets at the core which radiated out from the greens lined with residences leading to farms, mines and quarries in the town. Pearl and Park streets were laid out to be suitable for militia training, resulting in broad, tree-shaded streets with deep front yards.
Statesman Stephen A. Douglas was born in Brandon, and his birthplace is now the Brandon Museum as well as the town’s Visitor Center. Douglas returned in 1860 to inform a crowd that Brandon was a good place to be born and leave.
Thomas Davenport, proclaimed by some to have invented the electric motor, was born and lived in Brandon.
As the early industries began to decline, dairying, stock breeding and tourism became increasingly important and ensured the economic survival of Brandon in the 20th century. The establishment of the Brandon Training School in 1915 was a significant event, providing many employment opportunities for area residents. At its height, the Training School served over 600 Vermont residents. Changes in policy and social service practices led to closing the facility in November 1993. The campus, now called Park Village, is used for a variety of purposes including residential, industrial, and institutional uses.
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