Royalton, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Royalton is a town in Windsor County, Vermont
, United States
. The population was 2,603 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of Royalton, South Royalton, and North Royalton. Vermont Law School
, the state's only accredited law school
, is located in South Royalton.
The town was chartered on November 23, 1769, by Cadwallader Colden
, Royal Lieutenant Governor of New York. The first permanent settlers were Robert Havens and his family, who arrived in 1771. Royalton was re-chartered by the Independent Republic of Vermont
on December 20, 1781. The 1780 Royalton Raid
was the last major British raid of the American War of Independence in New England
. In 1848, the Vermont Central Railroad opened to South Royalton, which developed as a freight depot
.
Although Joseph Smith
, founder of Mormonism
, was born in the adjacent town of Sharon
near the Royalton boundary, the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial
lies in the town.
In June 1974, the now-defunct Royalton College hosted the Institute for Humane Studies
' Conference on Austrian Economics. The conference is considered the "single most important catalyst in this revival of Austrian economics
" (an economic theory also known as "The Austrian School", the "Vienna School" or the "Psychological School"). Edwin G. Dolan hosted the conference. Notable presenters included Israel M. Kirzner, Ludwig M. Lachmann, and Murray N. Rothbard. The edited version of the conference proceedings appears in Professor Dolan's The Foundations of Modern Austrian Economics. South Royalton is also the home of the world renowned William Spain. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0254/is_3_59/ai_65348062/pg_4http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=104&Itemid=27
, and the White River cuts through its center. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 40.9 square miles (106.0 km2), of which 40.4 square miles (104.7 km2) is land and 0.5 square mile (1.3 km2) (1.25%) is water. Royalton is drained by the White River
.
The town is crossed by Interstate 89
, Vermont Route 14
, Vermont Route 107
, and Vermont Route 110. It borders the towns of Bethel
to the northwest, Randolph
to the north, Tunbridge
to the northeast, Strafford
to the east, Sharon
to the southeast, Pomfret
to the south, and Barnard
to the southwest.
of 2000, there were 2,603 people, 1,155 households, and 622 families residing in the town. The population density
was 64.4 people per square mile (24.9/km2). There were 1,281 housing units at an average density of 31.7 per square mile (12.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.20% White, 0.77% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.77% Asian, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.
There were 1,155 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were couples living together and joined in either marriage
or civil union
, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.1% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 35.5% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,943, and the median income for a family was $42,898. Males had a median income of $29,708 versus $26,667 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,755. About 7.6% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
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 2,603 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of Royalton, South Royalton, and North Royalton. Vermont Law School
Vermont Law School
Vermont Law School is a private, American Bar Association accredited law school located in South Royalton, Vermont . The Law School has one of the United States' leading programs in environmental law, and the Law School is currently ranked #1 in Environmental Law by U.S...
, the state's only accredited law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
, is located in South Royalton.
History
Cadwallader Colden
Cadwallader Colden was a physician, farmer, surveyor, botanist, and a lieutenant governor for the Province of New York.-Biography:...
, Royal Lieutenant Governor of New York. The first permanent settlers were Robert Havens and his family, who arrived in 1771. Royalton was re-chartered by the Independent Republic of Vermont
Vermont Republic
The term Vermont Republic has been used by later historians for the government of what became modern Vermont from 1777 to 1791. In July 1777 delegates from 28 towns met and declared independence from jurisdictions and land claims of British colonies in New Hampshire and New York. They also...
on December 20, 1781. The 1780 Royalton Raid
Royalton Raid
The Royalton Raid was a British-led Indian raid in 1780 against various towns along the White River Valley in the Vermont Republic, and was part of the American Revolutionary War...
was the last major British raid of the American War of Independence in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. In 1848, the Vermont Central Railroad opened to South Royalton, which developed as a freight depot
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
.
Although Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was founder of what later became known as the Latter Day Saint movement or Mormons.Joseph Smith may also refer to:-Latter Day Saints:* Joseph Smith, Sr. , father of Joseph Smith...
, founder of Mormonism
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
, was born in the adjacent town of Sharon
Sharon, Vermont
Sharon is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. It had a population of 1,411 at the 2000 census. The town is home to The Sharon Academy.-History:...
near the Royalton boundary, the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial
Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial
Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial is a granite obelisk on a hill in the White River Valley near Sharon and South Royalton, Vermont that marks the spot where Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on 23 December 1805. The monument was erected by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , which recognizes...
lies in the town.
In June 1974, the now-defunct Royalton College hosted the Institute for Humane Studies
Institute for Humane Studies
The Institute for Humane Studies is a classical liberal non-profit organization whose stated mission is “to support the achievement of a freer society by discovering and facilitating the development of talented students, scholars, and other intellectuals who share an interest in liberty and in...
' Conference on Austrian Economics. The conference is considered the "single most important catalyst in this revival of Austrian economics
Austrian School
The Austrian School of economics is a heterodox school of economic thought. It advocates methodological individualism in interpreting economic developments , the theory that money is non-neutral, the theory that the capital structure of economies consists of heterogeneous goods that have...
" (an economic theory also known as "The Austrian School", the "Vienna School" or the "Psychological School"). Edwin G. Dolan hosted the conference. Notable presenters included Israel M. Kirzner, Ludwig M. Lachmann, and Murray N. Rothbard. The edited version of the conference proceedings appears in Professor Dolan's The Foundations of Modern Austrian Economics. South Royalton is also the home of the world renowned William Spain. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0254/is_3_59/ai_65348062/pg_4http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=104&Itemid=27
Geography
The town is located in the heart of the Green MountainsGreen Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
, and the White River cuts through its center. According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 40.9 square miles (106.0 km2), of which 40.4 square miles (104.7 km2) is land and 0.5 square mile (1.3 km2) (1.25%) is water. Royalton is drained by the White River
White River (Vermont)
The White River is a river in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River.The White River rises at Skylight Pond south of Bread Loaf Mountain near the crest of the Green Mountains. The river flows east to the town of Granville, where it receives the outflow from the...
.
The town is crossed by Interstate 89
Interstate 89
Interstate 89 is an interstate highway in the New England region of the United States travelling between Bow, New Hampshire and Highgate Springs, Vermont. As with all odd-numbered primary interstates, I-89 is signed as a north–south highway...
, Vermont Route 14
Vermont Route 14
Vermont Route 14 is a north–south state highway in northeastern Vermont, United States. It is long and extends from U.S. Route 4 and U.S. Route 5 in White River Junction to Vermont Route 100 in Newport. Between White River Junction and the city of Barre, the route parallels Interstate 89. Vermont...
, Vermont Route 107
Vermont Route 107
Vermont Route 107 is an east–west state highway in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. It runs for from Stockbridge in the west to Royalton in the east. VT 107 mostly serves to connect VT 100 to Interstate 89 .-Route description:VT 107 begins at an intersection...
, and Vermont Route 110. It borders the towns of Bethel
Bethel, Vermont
Bethel is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,968 at the 2000 census. The town includes the locations of Bethel-Gilead, East Bethel, Lilliesville, Lympus , and West Bethel...
to the northwest, Randolph
Randolph, Vermont
Randolph is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,853 at the 2000 census, making Randolph the largest town in Orange County. The town is a commercial center for many of the smaller, rural farming communities that surround it....
to the north, Tunbridge
Tunbridge, Vermont
Tunbridge is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,309. The town consists of three village centers, all situated on Vermont Route 110 in the valley of the first branch of the White River...
to the northeast, Strafford
Strafford, Vermont
Strafford is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,045 at the 2000 census. The town of Strafford was created on August 12, 1761 by way of a royal charter which King George III of England issued to Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire...
to the east, Sharon
Sharon, Vermont
Sharon is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. It had a population of 1,411 at the 2000 census. The town is home to The Sharon Academy.-History:...
to the southeast, Pomfret
Pomfret, Vermont
Pomfret is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 997 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was named after the Earl of Pomfret...
to the south, and Barnard
Barnard, Vermont
Barnard is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 958 at the 2000 census.- History :The town was chartered on July 17, 1761 by a New Hampshire Grant and named after the second-listed grantee of the town Sir Francis Bernard, 1st Baronet and since 1760 Governor of the...
to the southwest.
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 2,603 people, 1,155 households, and 622 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 64.4 people per square mile (24.9/km2). There were 1,281 housing units at an average density of 31.7 per square mile (12.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.20% White, 0.77% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.77% Asian, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.
There were 1,155 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were couples living together and joined in either marriage
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...
or civil union
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.1% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 35.5% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,943, and the median income for a family was $42,898. Males had a median income of $29,708 versus $26,667 for females. The per capita income
Per 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 $16,755. About 7.6% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
Sites of interest
- Joseph Smith Birthplace MemorialJoseph Smith Birthplace MemorialJoseph Smith Birthplace Memorial is a granite obelisk on a hill in the White River Valley near Sharon and South Royalton, Vermont that marks the spot where Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on 23 December 1805. The monument was erected by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , which recognizes...
- Royalton Historical Society & Museum
Notable people
- Frederick Billings, lawyer, financier and railroad president.
- Albert CarringtonAlbert CarringtonAlbert Carrington born in Royalton, Vermont, was an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and First Presidency in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was ordained as an apostle on July 3, 1870.Carrington served in the Utah Territorial Legislature in 1869...
, religious leader. - Salmon P. ChaseSalmon P. ChaseSalmon Portland Chase was an American politician and jurist who served as U.S. Senator from Ohio and the 23rd Governor of Ohio; as U.S. Treasury Secretary under President Abraham Lincoln; and as the sixth Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.Chase was one of the most prominent members...
, senator, governor, treasury secretary and chief justice. - Jacob CollamerJacob CollamerJacob Collamer was an American politician from Vermont.-Biography:Jacob Collamer was born in Troy, New York. He graduated from the University of Vermont at Burlington, served in the War of 1812, studied law in St. Albans, Vermont, was admitted to the bar in 1813, and served as an officer in a...
, congressman, postmaster general and senator. - Dudley Chase DenisonDudley Chase DenisonDudley Chase Denison was a United States Congressman from Vermont.He was born in Royalton, Vermont, attended Royalton Academy, graduated from the University of Vermont in 1840, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1845 and commenced practice in Royalton. He was a member of the Vermont State...
, congressman. - Charles DurkeeCharles DurkeeCharles Durkee was an American politician and a Congressman and Senator from Wisconsin.-Early life:Durkee was born in Royalton, Vermont. He became a merchant and moved to Wisconsin in 1836...
, senator. - Truman Henry SaffordTruman Henry SaffordTruman Henry Safford was an American calculating prodigy. In later life he was an observatory director.He was born in Royalton, Vermont, USA on 6 January, 1836. At an early age he attracted public attention by his remarkable calculation powers. At the age of nine, a local priest asked him to...
, calculating prodigy. - William Smith, religious leader.