,_vermont.gif)
Barton (town), Vermont
Encyclopedia
Barton is a town
in Orleans County
, Vermont
, United States
. The population was 2,780 at the 2000 census. The town includes two incorporated villages
, Barton
and Orleans
. Approximately 30% of the town's population lived in the village of Orleans, 27% in the village of Barton, and 43% outside of the villages. There are only four other towns in the state containing two incorporated villages.
The Selectman's Budget was $310,100 in 2008, the Highway Budget was $441,900.
includes the town of Barton, as well as parts or all of Essex County
, Orleans County
, Franklin County
and Lamoille County. It is represented in the Vermont Senate
by Vincent Illuzzi
(R
) and Robert A. Starr
(D
).
In the Vermont House of Representatives
, Barton forms part of the Orleans-Caledonia-1 district
. Its representatives are John Morley
(R
) and John S. Rodgers (D
).
. Spending per pupil in 2007 was $10,364, slightly below the state average of $11,095.
, the town has a total area of 44.9 square miles (116.3 km2), of which 43.7 square miles (113.1 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.3 km2) (2.81%) is water. Barton averages 931 feet (283.8 m) above sea level (ASL).
The principal rock is calciferous mica schist
. About two miles (3 km) from the Irasburg
line, and parallel with it, there is a narrow vein of hornblende schist the whole length of the town. In the eastern corner, covering an area of several square miles, the rocks are a mixture of granite
, syenite
, and protogine. Iron
has been found in small quantities, and some traces of gold
.
The highest peak in Barton is Barton Mountain - 2235 feet (681.2 m) ASL. May Hill is 2007 feet (611.7 m) high.
Barton rivers include the Barton
, and Willoughby Rivers; Hogtrough Brook, Lord Brook, Annis Brook, May Pond Brook, Willoughby Brook, and Roaring Brook.
Each spring, the rainbow trout swim up the Willoughby River to Lake Willoughby
.
Crystal Lake State Park
is located in Barton.
of 2000, there were 2,780 people, 1,153 households, and 748 families residing in the town. The population density
was 63.7/sq mi(24.6/km2). There were 1,438 housing units at an average density of 32.9 per square mile (12.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.37% White, 0.32% Black or African American
, 0.40% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.07% from other races
, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population.
There were 1,153 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples
living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
for the town was $14,636. About 12.2% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.
, in the village of Orleans, employs about 400 workers locally.
A nursing home with 71 beds employs 70 people.
The Orleans side of Barton town is serviced by The Village of Orleans Electric with 665 customers.
Barton has 78.37 miles (126.1 km) of state road and class 1, 2 and 3 roads, of which 44.38 miles (71.4 km) are class 3 (dirt) roads and 21.43 miles (34.5 km) are state roads.
were forced to retreat through the area following their attack on Saint-Francis, Quebec
in 1759. The fleeing rangers split up before getting to Barton. One group followed the Barton River south to the falls at the outlet of Crystal Lake where they were able to catch fish. From there, they continued south over the summit into the Passumpsic River Valley. Barton was chartered on October 20, 1789. The grant was to sixty Revolutionary War soldiers, mainly from Rhode Island and including Admiral John Paul Jones
, General William Barton, and Ira Allen
.
From 1791 to 1793 Timothy Hinman
built what is now called the "Hinman Settler Road
" linking Barton south to Greensboro and north through Brownington to Derby and Canada. The early settlers of Barton found Indian wigwams, in a decayed condition, quite numerous in the vicinity of the outlet of Barton pond (sic), from which it was inferred that it was a favorite camping ground. It is stated that an Indian, Foosah, claimed he killed twenty-seven moose, beside large numbers of beaver and otter near this pond in the winter of 1783-84.
On June 6, 1810, the body of water known today as Runaway Pond
flooded the Barton River Valley resulting in destruction, the results of which can still be seen today. In 1824, voters decided to fund education for all children. An academy started operating in 1852 with 107 students. This was the forerunner of Barton Academy.
Railroad construction reached Barton in 1858. The first train arrived in 1863. As each new railroad terminus was built, the stagecoaches used them as terminuses as well. The stage ran north from Barton from what is now the junction of State Road 58 and US 5, north to unite with the Hinman Settler Road which came out of Glover and ran up Barton Hill over what is now Maple Hill Road then straight over to what is now the Orleans Country Club and from there to Brownington.
Around 1900, a granite quarry was located on the east side of Crystal Lake
. Steamboats barged stone across the lake. An Indian burial ground was discovered during the excavation for the new Barton Academy
in 1907. There is no record of what happened to those artifacts.
Increasing steadily, Barton's population reached a peak of 3,506 people in 1920.
In 1921, the town put on a large pageant celebrating its 125th anniversary. A professional choreographer and playwright was hired. Three hundred townspeople performed, watched by 4,500 paying spectators, a record audience for the county at the time. The investment of $1,000 was recouped. The area was afterwards known as Pageant Park, now owned by the Barton village.
The Portland Pipeline company built a crude oil pipeline to Montreal from Portland, Maine in 1941 to avoid U-Boat attacks when shipping by sea during WWII. In 2005, the portion of the line that passes through Barton town was evaluated and taxed at $2,277,000. The last one-room schools stopped operation in the late 1950s. In 1964, a candlepin bowling alley was opened. Up to ten leagues used the facility. It closed in 2000.
In 1967, the school districts turned over their inadequately sized high schools, Barton Academy
and Orleans High School
to elementary school use and replaced them with Lake Region Union High School
.
In 1858, Barton (and Orleans County) obtained a triangular piece of land from Sheffield which included all of May Pond, the entire area south of Crystal Lake, and the village of South Barton. In 1861, the village of South Barton had its own post office, and, in 1874, its own railroad depot. In the early 1930s, there were 30 students in the one-room schoolhouse there.
Its main industry was logging. The village foundered on lack of electric power which the other two villages in town had aggressively pursued. It tried to make up for this with steam power, but by the early 1940s the village was no longer viable. Its post office closed in 1947. Three businesses operated serially in the same location: the Orleans and Caledonia Steam Mill Company, Willoughby Wood and Lumber Company and US Bobbin and Shuttle Company. Eventually the location of the latter company to New York state finalized the village's demise.
.
Barton is home to the Orleans County Fair held each August at the Fairgrounds since 1868.
One year Lowell Thomas
was the master of ceremonies
. Past fairs featured harness racing
. In 2009, a state record for the mile was broken at 1:56.2. Edward Hoagland
wrote the essay, "Americana, etc.", a "paean
"" to the Fair of 1969. In 2010, the paid attendance was 15,953. In 2011, a Guinness World Record
was set when 301 Cadillac
s were in the same parade on the opening day of the Fair; 103 were needed to beat the prior record. The Cadillac developer had been born in Barton.
Barton has two libraries, one in Barton village, one in Orleans.
Vermont municipality
A Vermont municipality is a particular type of New England municipality. It is the basic unit of local government.-Background:Vermont contains 246 incorporated towns and cities. Nine are cities and 237 are towns. Collectively, these 246 municipalities cover the vast majority of, but not all of,...
in Orleans County
Orleans County, Vermont
Orleans County is one of the four northernmost counties in the U.S. state of Vermont. It borders Canada. In 2010, the population was 27,231. Its county seat is Newport. As in the rest of New England, few governmental powers have been granted to the county...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,780 at the 2000 census. The town includes two incorporated villages
Village (Vermont)
In the U.S. state of Vermont, villages are named communities located within the boundaries of an incorporated town. Villages may be incorporated or unincorporated....
, Barton
Barton (village), Vermont
Barton is a village located near the center of the town of Barton, in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 742 at the 2000 census.-Government:...
and Orleans
Orleans, Vermont
Orleans is a village in the northwestern corner of Barton, Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 826 at the 2000 census, making it the largest village in Orleans County.-Government:...
. Approximately 30% of the town's population lived in the village of Orleans, 27% in the village of Barton, and 43% outside of the villages. There are only four other towns in the state containing two incorporated villages.
Town
- Moderator - William May
- SelectmanBoard of selectmenThe board of selectmen is commonly the executive arm of the government of New England towns in the United States. The board typically consists of three or five members, with or without staggered terms.-History:...
- Rupert Chamberlin - Selectman - Robert Croteau
- Selectmen - Daniel McMaster
- Town Clerk - Grace Mason
The Selectman's Budget was $310,100 in 2008, the Highway Budget was $441,900.
Legislature
The Essex-Orleans Senate districtEssex-Orleans Vermont Senate District, 2002-2012
The Essex-Orleans Senate District is one of 13 Vermont Senate districts included in the redistricting and reapportionment plan developed by the Vermont General Assembly following the 2000 U.S. Census. The plan applies to legislatures elected in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010. A new plan will be...
includes the town of Barton, as well as parts or all of Essex County
Essex County, Vermont
Essex County is the county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 6,306, making it the least-populous county in both Vermont and New England...
, Orleans County
Orleans County, Vermont
Orleans County is one of the four northernmost counties in the U.S. state of Vermont. It borders Canada. In 2010, the population was 27,231. Its county seat is Newport. As in the rest of New England, few governmental powers have been granted to the county...
, Franklin County
Franklin County, Vermont
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 47,746. Its shire town is the City of St. Albans.-Geography:...
and Lamoille County. It is represented in the Vermont Senate
Vermont Senate
The Vermont Senate is the upper house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The Senate consists of 30 members. Senate districting divides the 30 members into three single-member districts, six two-member districts, three three-member districts, and one...
by Vincent Illuzzi
Vincent Illuzzi
Vincent Illuzzi is an American politician and a Republican member of the Vermont State Senate, representing the Essex-Orleans senate district....
(R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
) and Robert A. Starr
Robert A. Starr
Robert A. Starr is an American politician from Vermont who currently serves as a Democratic member of the Vermont State Senate. He has represented the Essex-Orleans senate district since 2004. He had previously spent a quarter-century in the Vermont House of Representatives.-Biography:Robert Starr...
(D
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
).
In the Vermont House of Representatives
Vermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
, Barton forms part of the Orleans-Caledonia-1 district
Orleans-Caledonia-1 Vermont Representative District, 2002-2012
The Orleans-Caledonia-1 Representative District is a two member state Representative district in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is one the 108 one or two member districts into which the state was divided by the redistricting and reapportionment plan developed by the Vermont General Assembly...
. Its representatives are John Morley
John Morley (Vermont politician)
John Morley is a Republican politician who was elected and currently serves in the Vermont House of Representatives. He represents the Orleans-Caledonia-1 Representative District.-References:...
(R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
) and John S. Rodgers (D
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
).
Education
The town is a key member of the Orleans Central Supervisory UnionOrleans Central Supervisory Union
The Orleans Central Supervisory Union is a school district responsible for the education of students in the Vermont towns of Albany, Barton, Brownington, Glover, Irasburg, Orleans, and Westmore. This requires maintaining one elementary schools in each of the towns mentioned, plus the Lake Region...
. Spending per pupil in 2007 was $10,364, slightly below the state average of $11,095.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 44.9 square miles (116.3 km2), of which 43.7 square miles (113.1 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.3 km2) (2.81%) is water. Barton averages 931 feet (283.8 m) above sea level (ASL).
The principal rock is calciferous mica schist
Schist
The schists constitute a group of medium-grade metamorphic rocks, chiefly notable for the preponderance of lamellar minerals such as micas, chlorite, talc, hornblende, graphite, and others. Quartz often occurs in drawn-out grains to such an extent that a particular form called quartz schist is...
. About two miles (3 km) from the Irasburg
Irasburg, Vermont
Irasburg is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,077 at the 2000 census.-Town:* Moderator - David Turner* Selectman - Randy Wells, Roger Gagnon * Town Clerk - Barbara Lawson* Town Treasurer - Barbara Lawson...
line, and parallel with it, there is a narrow vein of hornblende schist the whole length of the town. In the eastern corner, covering an area of several square miles, the rocks are a mixture of granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
, syenite
Syenite
Syenite is a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock of the same general composition as granite but with the quartz either absent or present in relatively small amounts Syenite is a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock of the same general composition as granite but with the quartz either absent or...
, and protogine. Iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
has been found in small quantities, and some traces of gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
.
The highest peak in Barton is Barton Mountain - 2235 feet (681.2 m) ASL. May Hill is 2007 feet (611.7 m) high.
Barton rivers include the Barton
Barton River
The Barton River is a tributary of Lake Memphremagog, over long, in northern Vermont in the United States.It runs north from Glover through Barton, Brownington, Coventry and drains through Newport into Lake Memphremagog's South Bay.-Course:...
, and Willoughby Rivers; Hogtrough Brook, Lord Brook, Annis Brook, May Pond Brook, Willoughby Brook, and Roaring Brook.
Each spring, the rainbow trout swim up the Willoughby River to Lake Willoughby
Lake Willoughby
Lake Willoughby is a lake in the town of Westmore in Orleans County in the northeast section of Vermont, United States. Willoughby is a glacial lake over deep in places, the deepest lake entirely contained in the state....
.
Crystal Lake State Park
Crystal Lake State Park
The Crystal Lake State Park is a historic site in Barton, Vermont, United States. It is located at 96 Bellwater Avenue, off Willoughby Lake Road just east of the village, at the northwestern end of Crystal Lake. It was added to the U.S...
is located in Barton.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,780 people, 1,153 households, and 748 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 63.7/sq mi(24.6/km2). There were 1,438 housing units at an average density of 32.9 per square mile (12.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.37% White, 0.32% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.40% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population.
There were 1,153 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
Personal income
The median income for a household in the town was $28,797, and the median income for a family was $33,872. Males had a median income of $25,922 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita incomePer capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $14,636. About 12.2% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.
Tourism
Prior to 2010, a study was taken which showed that that second home ownership in town was 30%, not an uncommonly high percentage in the county.Industry
Ethan Allen ManufacturingEthan Allen (furniture company)
Ethan Allen Global, Inc. is a North American furniture chain with almost 300 stores across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1932 by two brothers-in-law, Nathan S...
, in the village of Orleans, employs about 400 workers locally.
A nursing home with 71 beds employs 70 people.
Electricity
The Barton side of Barton town is serviced by Barton Electric which generates some of its power hydroelectrically. It services 2100 customers.The Orleans side of Barton town is serviced by The Village of Orleans Electric with 665 customers.
Major routes
The opening of the Interstate north on November 9, 1972 and opening southbound in 1978 had an impact on the town comparable to the opening of the railway a century earlier. In 1980, Barton registered its first population gain in a century.Barton has 78.37 miles (126.1 km) of state road and class 1, 2 and 3 roads, of which 44.38 miles (71.4 km) are class 3 (dirt) roads and 21.43 miles (34.5 km) are state roads.
-
Interstate 91Interstate 91Interstate 91 is an Interstate Highway in the New England region of the United States. It provides the primary north–south thoroughfare in the western part of New England...
- Barton to Derby -
U.S. Route 5U.S. Route 5U.S. Route 5 is a north–south United States highway running through the New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Significant cities along the route include New Haven, Connecticut; Hartford, Connecticut; and Springfield, Massachusetts. From Hartford northward to St...
- Barton to Derby -
Vermont Route 16Vermont Route 16Vermont Route 16 is a north–south state highway in northern Vermont, United States. The route is long and connects Hardwick to Westmore. It begins at VT 15 in Hardwick and heads northward to U.S. Route 5 in Barton. From Barton, it heads eastward to VT 5A in Westmore...
- Barton to Westmore east and north, to Glover south -
Vermont Route 58Vermont Route 58Vermont Route 58 is an east–west state highway in northern Vermont, United States. The western terminus of the route is at VT 118 in Montgomery. The eastern terminus of VT 58 is at VT 5A north of Westmore and Lake Willoughby. In Orleans, VT 58 runs concurrent to U.S...
- Barton to Lowell west and Barton to Westmore east
Railroads
While the Washington County Railroad (The Vermont Railway System) runs through Barton, it does not service the town.History
Rogers' RangersRogers' Rangers
Rogers' Rangers was an independent company of colonial militia, attached to the British Army during the Seven Years War . The unit was informally trained by Major Robert Rogers as a rapidly deployable light infantry force tasked with reconnaissance and conducting special operations against distant...
were forced to retreat through the area following their attack on Saint-Francis, Quebec
Saint-François-du-Lac, Quebec
Saint-François-du-Lac is a community in the Nicolet-Yamaska Regional County Municipality of Quebec, Canada. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 2,002...
in 1759. The fleeing rangers split up before getting to Barton. One group followed the Barton River south to the falls at the outlet of Crystal Lake where they were able to catch fish. From there, they continued south over the summit into the Passumpsic River Valley. Barton was chartered on October 20, 1789. The grant was to sixty Revolutionary War soldiers, mainly from Rhode Island and including Admiral John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones was a Scottish sailor and the United States' first well-known naval fighter in the American Revolutionary War. Although he made enemies among America's political elites, his actions in British waters during the Revolution earned him an international reputation which persists to...
, General William Barton, and Ira Allen
Ira Allen
Ira Allen was one of the founders of Vermont, and leaders of the Green Mountain Boys; and was the brother of Ethan Allen.-Biography:...
.
From 1791 to 1793 Timothy Hinman
Timothy Hinman
Timothy Hinman was a pioneer road builder who constructed the Hinman Settler Road in Orleans County, Vermont.-References:...
built what is now called the "Hinman Settler Road
Hinman Settler Road
The Hinman Settler Road was constructed by former Revolutionary War veteran Timothy Hinman from 1791-1795 in Orleans County, Vermont. Hinman's intent was to help develop the land he owned in Derby....
" linking Barton south to Greensboro and north through Brownington to Derby and Canada. The early settlers of Barton found Indian wigwams, in a decayed condition, quite numerous in the vicinity of the outlet of Barton pond (sic), from which it was inferred that it was a favorite camping ground. It is stated that an Indian, Foosah, claimed he killed twenty-seven moose, beside large numbers of beaver and otter near this pond in the winter of 1783-84.
On June 6, 1810, the body of water known today as Runaway Pond
Runaway Pond
Runaway Pond was a lake on the site of the former Long Pond in Glover, Vermont. Located south of what is today the central village of Glover, it is now a marsh.- Hydrology :An engineer estimated that the pond must have contained of water....
flooded the Barton River Valley resulting in destruction, the results of which can still be seen today. In 1824, voters decided to fund education for all children. An academy started operating in 1852 with 107 students. This was the forerunner of Barton Academy.
Railroad construction reached Barton in 1858. The first train arrived in 1863. As each new railroad terminus was built, the stagecoaches used them as terminuses as well. The stage ran north from Barton from what is now the junction of State Road 58 and US 5, north to unite with the Hinman Settler Road which came out of Glover and ran up Barton Hill over what is now Maple Hill Road then straight over to what is now the Orleans Country Club and from there to Brownington.
Around 1900, a granite quarry was located on the east side of Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake (Vermont)
Crystal Lake is near the village of Barton in Orleans County, Vermont. It is a glacial lake and deep in places. Route 5 runs along the lake's western shore. Crystal Lake is in the northeast section of the state of Vermont...
. Steamboats barged stone across the lake. An Indian burial ground was discovered during the excavation for the new Barton Academy
Barton Academy (Vermont)
Barton Academy was a high school in the town of Barton and also served surrounding towns for over a century. The high school was replaced by the Lake Region High School on September 11, 1967. The Academy alumni continue to meet annually. They fund scholarships for graduates of Lake Region...
in 1907. There is no record of what happened to those artifacts.
Increasing steadily, Barton's population reached a peak of 3,506 people in 1920.
In 1921, the town put on a large pageant celebrating its 125th anniversary. A professional choreographer and playwright was hired. Three hundred townspeople performed, watched by 4,500 paying spectators, a record audience for the county at the time. The investment of $1,000 was recouped. The area was afterwards known as Pageant Park, now owned by the Barton village.
The Portland Pipeline company built a crude oil pipeline to Montreal from Portland, Maine in 1941 to avoid U-Boat attacks when shipping by sea during WWII. In 2005, the portion of the line that passes through Barton town was evaluated and taxed at $2,277,000. The last one-room schools stopped operation in the late 1950s. In 1964, a candlepin bowling alley was opened. Up to ten leagues used the facility. It closed in 2000.
In 1967, the school districts turned over their inadequately sized high schools, Barton Academy
Barton Academy (Vermont)
Barton Academy was a high school in the town of Barton and also served surrounding towns for over a century. The high school was replaced by the Lake Region High School on September 11, 1967. The Academy alumni continue to meet annually. They fund scholarships for graduates of Lake Region...
and Orleans High School
Orleans High School (Vermont)
Orleans High School was a school in Orleans, Vermont. It functioned as both a high school and middle school to the village of Orleans and surrounding towns for nearly half a century. The high school was replaced by the Lake Region Union High School on September 11, 1967. Orleans alumni continue to...
to elementary school use and replaced them with Lake Region Union High School
Lake Region Union High School
Lake Region Union High School, commonly known as Lake Region, is a secondary school located in Barton, Vermont. The school is operated by the Orleans Central Supervisory Union school district....
.
South Barton
The unincorporated village of South Barton, sometimes called Kimball Station no longer exists today. It was located near the Wheeler Mountain Road south of Crystal Lake on what is today, Route 5.In 1858, Barton (and Orleans County) obtained a triangular piece of land from Sheffield which included all of May Pond, the entire area south of Crystal Lake, and the village of South Barton. In 1861, the village of South Barton had its own post office, and, in 1874, its own railroad depot. In the early 1930s, there were 30 students in the one-room schoolhouse there.
Its main industry was logging. The village foundered on lack of electric power which the other two villages in town had aggressively pursued. It tried to make up for this with steam power, but by the early 1940s the village was no longer viable. Its post office closed in 1947. Three businesses operated serially in the same location: the Orleans and Caledonia Steam Mill Company, Willoughby Wood and Lumber Company and US Bobbin and Shuttle Company. Eventually the location of the latter company to New York state finalized the village's demise.
Media
- The ChronicleThe Chronicle (Barton, Vermont)The Chronicle is a weekly newspaper published in Barton, Vermont. Circulation was 8,500 in 1998....
- published weekly in Barton - The Orleans County MonitorOrleans County MonitorThe Orleans County Monitor was a weekly newspaper published in Barton, Vermont from January 8, 1872 to 1953. It was published by Ellery H. Webster in 1872. An American Civil War veteran, he named it after the USS Monitor. George H. Blake published the paper in 1877. The circulation was 1,400. ...
was published here from January 8, 1872 to 1953 as a weekly newspaper. - Radio station WJPKWJPKWJPK is a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary music format simulcasting co-owned WGMT and is licensed to Barton, Vermont, USA. The station is currently owned by Vermont Broadcast Associates.-History:...
- 101.3 FM, 100 watts
Culture
Barton village contains three areas on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Barton is home to the Orleans County Fair held each August at the Fairgrounds since 1868.
One year Lowell Thomas
Lowell Thomas
Lowell Jackson Thomas was an American writer, broadcaster, and traveler, best known as the man who made Lawrence of Arabia famous...
was the master of ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
. Past fairs featured harness racing
Standardbred horse
Standardbreds are a breed of horse best known for their ability to race in harness at a trot or pace instead of under saddle at a gallop. Developed in North America, the breed is now recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability...
. In 2009, a state record for the mile was broken at 1:56.2. Edward Hoagland
Edward Hoagland
Edward Hoagland is an author best known for his nature and travel writing.-Life:...
wrote the essay, "Americana, etc.", a "paean
Paean
A paean is a song or lyric poem expressing triumph or thanksgiving. In classical antiquity, it is usually performed by a chorus, but some examples seem intended for an individual voice...
"" to the Fair of 1969. In 2010, the paid attendance was 15,953. In 2011, a Guinness World Record
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
was set when 301 Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
s were in the same parade on the opening day of the Fair; 103 were needed to beat the prior record. The Cadillac developer had been born in Barton.
Barton has two libraries, one in Barton village, one in Orleans.
Notable people
- Frederick W. Baldwin, practiced law with William Grout; president pro temporare, state senate (1900).
- Colonel William Barton, Revolutionary War officer, founder of the town.
- Lee E. EmersonLee E. EmersonLee Earl Emerson was the 69th Governor of Vermont. He was born in Hardwick, Vermont, on December 19, 1898, and moved to Barton, Vermont, at the age of 16. He graduated from Barton Academy in 1917, received an A.B. from Syracuse University in 1921 and a LL.B. from George Washington University Law...
, 69th Governor of Vermont. - Josiah GroutJosiah GroutJosiah Grout, Jr. was an American lawyer and politician in the US state of Vermont.Born in Quebec, Canada to Vermonter parents, he served in the American Civil War as a Union Army officer before entering the legal profession after the war...
, 46th Governor of Vermont. - William W. GroutWilliam W. GroutWilliam Wallace Grout was a U.S. Representative from Vermont.-Biography:Born in Compton, Province of Quebec, Grout pursued an academic course and graduated from the Poughkeepsie Law School in 1857....
, congressman. - Emory Hebard, Vermont State Treasurer (1976–1988).
- Henry M. LelandHenry M. LelandHenry Martyn Leland was a machinist, inventor, engineer and automotive entrepreneur who founded the two premier American luxury marques, Cadillac and Lincoln. Retrieved December 30, 2008....
, engineer and automotive entrepreneur, created both the Cadillac and Lincoln brands. - Orrin Wiley LockeOrrin Wiley LockeOrrin Wiley Locke was a Republican member of the Vermont State Senate, who represented the Orleans Vermont Senate District.Orrin Locke was first elected to the Vermont State Senate in 1922.-Public life:...
, state senator from Orleans County. - Willard Westbery Miles, Associate Judge of the Supreme Court (1905).
- Major General Francis W. NyeFrancis W. NyeFrancis Walter Nye was a United States Air Force major general who was a B-24 Liberator and B-29 Superfortress combat pilot...
, commander of the Defense Atomic Support Agency, SandiaSandia BaseSandia Base was, from 1946 to 1971, the principal nuclear weapons installation of the United States Department of Defense. It was located on the southeastern edge of Albuquerque, New Mexico...
. - Henry Alexander StaffordHeinie StaffordHenry Alexander "Heinie" Stafford was an American Major League Baseball player who played a single game for the New York Giants in .-Tufts University :...
, professional baseball player for the New York GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.