Brandon Vermont VT Warrant Search

Brandon, Vermont Brandon is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,917 at the 2000 census. History On October 20, 1761 the town of Brandon was chartered to Capt. Josiah Powers. In October 1784, the name of the town of Neshobe, Vermont was changed to Brandon by an act of legislature. (MacNabb Currier, 1914)Brandon Town Hall and Bridge, c. 1870s Chartered in 1761, 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 grew and 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 east coast. The Congregational and Baptist churches were built on either side of the Neshobe River, each with its own green laid out at a bend in the road. In the ensuing decades, government, commerce and prominent 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.Stephen A Douglas Birthplace, c 1890s Famed 19th century statesman Stephen A. Douglas was born in Brandon and his birthplace is now the Brandon Museum as well as the town’s Visitor Center. Thomas Davenport, who is said to have invented the electric motor although he never achieved fame for his invention and died penniless, also was born and lived in Brandon. As the early industries began to decline, dairying, stockbreeding and tourism became increasingly important and ensured the vitality 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 lead 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. Today Brandon is a thriving, diverse community offering a full range of services for its citizens. Several industries, a variety of shops and services provide many opportunities for town residents and surrounding communities. Brandon’s historic downtown with its entire core of 243 buildings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Geography The Town of Brandon is located at 43°47′53″N 73°05′15″W / 43.7981195°N 73.0876119°W / 43.7981195; -73.0876119Coordinates: 43°47′53″N 73°05′15″W / 43.7981195°N 73.0876119°W / 43.7981195; -73.0876119.According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.2 square miles (104.0 km2), of which, 40.1 square miles (103.9 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.1 km2) of it (0.12%) is water. Demographics As of the census 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.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. Things to do: There are over 70 miles of well-maintained trails for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, as well as biking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. Hiking in the Moosalamoo Region offers everything from wilderness solitude to views of waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and scenic vistas.Cross country skiers, whether classic or skate, back country or touring, will find opportunities duplicated nowhere else, with rentals and lessons available. Trails are marked and many are groomed regularly. Back country trails welcome snowshoers. Snowmobilers can visit the region along the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) system. Camping opportunities range from primitive forest sites to full service campgrounds with RV hook-ups. Boat and canoe rentals are available locally. Swim in a mountain lake or stream, at the base of a waterfall, or at a sandy beach. Enjoy a picnic at a scenic overlook, next to a babbling brook or on the lakeshore. In summer on Fridays, make sure you stop by Farmer’s Market for the freshest products and crafts. Brandon has a few active farms which welcome guests. Get close to alpacas or goats or pick up farm fresh goodies from Wood’s Market Garden Arts The Governor has called Brandon “The Art and Soul of Vermont” – and for good reason. In and around town you’ll find folk artists, fabric artists, computer artists, super realists, nonrepresentational expressionists, workers in traditional decorative arts, watercolor, jewelry, pottery, glass, sculpture, print makers, photographers … with new and exciting talent exhibiting fresh work all the time. Brandon’s artists contribute to our strong sense of community spirit and the creative economy. The Brandon Artists Guild’s annual fundraiser has become a highly anticipated event, as artists create original works for public display and auction. Their shows include: The Really Really Pig Show, Brandon is for the Birds, Brandon Rocks, Its Reigning Cats & Dogs, Brandon: Thinking Outside the Box, and Starring Brandon. Thanks to the vision of renowned folk artist and Brandon resident Warren Kimble, Liza Myers, Judith Reilly and others, our little town has become one of the most exciting places to experience art in the state of Vermont – if not the entire Northeast . Music Music Events are held throughout the year at venues such as Brandon Music, Ball and Chain Cafe, the Brandon Town Hall, and outdoors in our parks in the summer. The biggest festival of its kind in Vermont is held in July each year, the Basin Bluegrass Festival.Brandon Music is Vermont’s classical music haven. Brandon Music is the North American headquarters of owner Stephen Sutton’s British classical music record company, Divine Art Recordings Group. It hosts the Divine Art CD Store, Harmony English Tea Room, a Vermont art gallery, and a vintage collector’s corner. The Divine Art CD Store showcases a wide collection of contemporary to rare classical music from the Divine Art, Diversions, Metier, and Athene record labels. Harmony English Tea Room is a chic English-style tearoom that schedules regular performances by new and visiting artists as well as special themed events such as “tea-dances.” A collector’s corner is planned which will offer the sale of vintage and rare historic vinyl records while featuring a growing assortment of vintage music related collectables. Controversies In 2009 the Hannaford Bros. Corp. bought the 19,000 square foot Grand Union supermarket in town and started plans to build a larger supermarket outside of the village on Rt. 7. Hannafords plans to close the smaller market when construction is complete on the larger store. The plan has met with resistance from some residents. After years of revitalizing its downtown, the closing of a destination store as vital as a supermarket is seen as endangering those gains. They also worry the new supermarket will draw business outside of the downtown, encourage other businesses to move away from the center, and create long term sprawl and increased traffic problems along the Rt. 7 corridor. Those who support the new supermarket argue it would bring more jobs to the area, help the overall economy and even save the environment as the nearest large supermarket is in Rutland or Middlebury. They have dubbed those who oppose it the 'Brandon 11', claiming that a mere eleven people are against the plan while the remaining 3,500 Brandon citizens support Hannaford. Places to visit Brandon Artists' Guild Briggs Carriage BookstoreCafe ProvenceCamp KeewaydinThe Inside Scoop and Antiques by the FallsNeshobe Golf ClubLake DunmoreNeshobe River WineryRobert Frost Trail Notable people Thomas Jefferson Conant, biblical scholar Thomas DavenportandEmily Davenport, inventors of the electric motor and electric locomotive Stephen A. Douglas, Democratic Party nominee for President (1860) Thomas Mower McDougall, U.S. Army officer