Brandon, Vermont

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This article is about the town. For the town center and census-designated place, see Brandon (CDP), Vermont.


Brandon, Vermont
Town
Downtown Brandon
Downtown Brandon
Brandon, Vermont
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.[1]

History

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.[2]

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.[3] Douglas returned in 1860 to inform a crowd that Brandon was a good place to be born and leave.[4]

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.[citation needed] 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.

Brandon’s historic downtown with its entire core of 243 buildings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable People

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Brandon has a total area of 40.2 square miles (104 km2), of which 40.1 square miles (104 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 0.12%, is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 637 —
1800 1,076 68.9%
1810 1,375 27.8%
1820 1,495 8.7%
1830 1,946 30.2%
1840 2,194 12.7%
1850 2,835 29.2%
1860 3,077 8.5%
1870 3,571 16.1%
1880 3,280 −8.1%
1890 3,310 0.9%
1900 2,759 −16.6%
1910 2,712 −1.7%
1920 2,874 6.0%
1930 2,891 0.6%
1940 2,979 3.0%
1950 3,304 10.9%
1960 3,329 0.8%
1970 3,697 11.1%
1980 4,194 13.4%
1990 4,223 0.7%
2000 3,917 −7.2%
2010 3,966 1.3%
Est. 2014 3,860 [5] −2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 3,917 people, 1,572 households, and 1,097 families residing in the town. The population density was 97.6 people per square mile (37.7/km2). There were 1,710 housing units at an average density of 42.6 per square mile (16.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.85% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.15% Asian, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.20% of the population.

There were 1,572 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

Economy

Personal income

The median income for a household in the town was $35,810, and the median income for a family was $42,455. Males had a median income of $27,949 versus $22,576 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,516. About 7.3% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Culture

Arts

Proclaimed by the governor as the "Art and Soul" of Vermont, Brandon is home to renowned folk artist Warren Kimble and +50 other local artists. There is also a mix of local wineries folk artists, fabric artists, computer artists, workers in traditional decorative arts, watercolor, jewelry, pottery, glass, sculpture, print makers, and photographers.[citation needed]

Events

Brandon is full of year round events. Brandon’s organizations sponsor several of events that occur with their own schedules along with annual events. Annual Events:

  • Free Summer Concert Series (June- August)
  • Brandon Independence Day Celebration (Always the first Saturday in July; and the night before too!)
  • Basin Bluegrass Festival (Always the weekend after the parade)
  • Great Brandon Auction ( Either the third or fourth Tuesday in July)
  • Yard Sale Day (Always the first Saturday in August)
  • HavestFest (Always the Saturday before Columbus Day Weekend)
  • Memory Tree Festivities (The Sunday Immediately following Thanksgiving)
  • Moonlight Madness (1st Wednesday and 3rd Thursday in December)

Education

Brandon is home to Neshobe Elementary school (Pre-K to 6)[8] and Otter Valley Union High School (7-12).[9] Before the Union High School was constructed (1961) local students attended Brandon High School. Brandon High School was one of many high schools across the Nation that could not keep up with the times and as such needed to combine with other local high schools. However,high school students now attend Otter Valley Union High School.

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ MacNabb Currier, 1914
  3. ↑ http://www.stephenadouglas.org/birthplace.html
  4. ↑ [1] Archived December 25, 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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