Windsor, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Windsor is a town in Windsor County, Vermont
, United States
. The population was 3,756 at the 2000 census.
, Windsor was chartered as a town on July 6, 1761 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth
. It was first settled in August 1764 by Captain Steele Smith and his family from Farmington, Connecticut
. In 1777, the signers of the Constitution of the Vermont Republic
met at Old Constitution House
, a tavern at the time, to declare independence from the British Empire (the Vermont Republic
would not become a state until 1791). In 1820, it was the state's largest town, a thriving center for trade
and agriculture
. In 1835, the first dam
was built across Mill Brook to provide water power. Factories made gun
s, machinery, tinware
, furniture
and harness
.
In 1846, Robbins and Lawerence received a government contract to manufacture firearms. Using advanced machine tools to produce interchangeable parts, they and their associates established factories in the Connecticut River
valley and throughout New England. Two factories, now both closed, sustained the economy of Windsor: Cone Automatic Machine Company and a Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
plant.
Windsor village began development at the end of the 18th century and achieved importance in Vermont history as the location of the framing of the constitution of Vermont. It is known as the birthplace of Vermont, where the state constitution was signed, and acted as the first capital place of until 1805 when Montpelier
became the official capital.
Commerce prospered due to the village's location on the banks of the Connecticut River
where several smaller streams run into it. The economy improved in the mid-19th century when Windsor became the first town in the state to break ground for the railroad with the construction of a rail depot. Windsor Station
connected the town to out of state markets. It was after the railroad went through that the area was discovered by tourists.
, the town has a total area of 19.8 square miles (51.2 km2), of which 19.5 square miles (50.6 km2) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.5 km2) (1.06%) is water. Home to part of Mount Ascutney
, Windsor is situated beside the Connecticut River
.
The town is crossed by
Interstate 91
,
U.S. Route 5
,
Vermont Route 12
,
Vermont Route 44
, and
Vermont Route 44A
. It borders the towns of Weathersfield
to the south, West Windsor
to the west, and Hartland
to the north. Windsor is across the Connecticut River
from Cornish, New Hampshire
.
of 2000, there were 3,756 people, 1,520 households, and 945 families residing in the town. The population density
was 192.1 people per square mile (74.2/km2). There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of 82.4 per square mile (31.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.74% White, 0.24% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.24% from other races
, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
There were 1,520 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were couples living together and joined in either marriage
or civil union
, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,815, and the median income for a family was $43,551. Males had a median income of $29,897 versus $23,313 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $17,640. About 6.4% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
, the national passenger rail system, provides daily service through Windsor, operating its Vermonter
between Washington, DC and St. Albans, VT
.
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 3,756 at the 2000 census.
History
One of the New Hampshire grantsNew Hampshire Grants
The New Hampshire Grants or Benning Wentworth Grants were land grants made between 1749 and 1764 by the provincial governor of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth. The land grants, totaling about 135 , were made on land claimed by New Hampshire west of the Connecticut River, territory that was also...
, Windsor was chartered as a town on July 6, 1761 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth
Benning Wentworth
Benning Wentworth was the colonial governor of New Hampshire from 1741 to 1766.-Biography:The eldest child of the John Wentworth who had been Lieutenant Governor, he was born and died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Wentworth graduated from Harvard College in 1715...
. It was first settled in August 1764 by Captain Steele Smith and his family from Farmington, Connecticut
Farmington, Connecticut
Farmington is a town located in Hartford County in the Farmington Valley area of central Connecticut in the United States. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census. It is home to the world headquarters of several large corporations including Carrier Corporation, Otis Elevator Company, and Carvel...
. In 1777, the signers of the Constitution of the Vermont Republic
Constitution of the Vermont Republic
The Constitution of Vermont was Vermont's constitution when it existed as the independent Vermont Republic or, more correctly, the Commonwealth of Vermont, from 1777 to 1791. The official title of the document was simply the Constitution of Vermont. The constitution was adopted in 1777 when Vermont...
met at Old Constitution House
Old Constitution House
The Old Constitution House located at Windsor in the U.S. state of Vermont is the birthplace of the Vermont Republic and the Constitution of the State of Vermont. A mid-18 century building built in a simple Georgian architectural style, the Old Constitution House was originally called the Windsor...
, a tavern at the time, to declare independence from the British Empire (the Vermont Republic
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...
would not become a state until 1791). In 1820, it was the state's largest town, a thriving center for trade
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
and agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. In 1835, the first dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
was built across Mill Brook to provide water power. Factories made gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
s, machinery, tinware
Tinware
Tinware is any item made of prefabricated tinplate. Usually tinware refers to kitchenware made of tinplate, often crafted by tinsmiths. Many cans used for canned food are tinware as well. Something that is tinned after being shaped and fabricated is not considered tinware.-Properties:Tinware is...
, furniture
Furniture
Furniture is the mass noun for the movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating and sleeping in beds, to hold objects at a convenient height for work using horizontal surfaces above the ground, or to store things...
and harness
Horse harness
A horse harness is a type of horse tack that allows a horse or other equine to pull various horse-drawn vehicles such as a carriage, wagon or sleigh. Harnesses may also be used to hitch animals to other loads such as a plow or canal boat....
.
In 1846, Robbins and Lawerence received a government contract to manufacture firearms. Using advanced machine tools to produce interchangeable parts, they and their associates established factories in the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
valley and throughout New England. Two factories, now both closed, sustained the economy of Windsor: Cone Automatic Machine Company and a Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling. Goodyear manufactures tires for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, SUVs, race cars, airplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery....
plant.
Windsor village began development at the end of the 18th century and achieved importance in Vermont history as the location of the framing of the constitution of Vermont. It is known as the birthplace of Vermont, where the state constitution was signed, and acted as the first capital place of until 1805 when Montpelier
Montpelier, Vermont
Montpelier is a city in the U.S. state of Vermont that serves as the state capital and the shire town of Washington County. As the capital of Vermont, Montpelier is the site of the Vermont State House, seat of the legislative branch of Vermont government. The population was 7,855 at the 2010...
became the official capital.
Commerce prospered due to the village's location on the banks of the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
where several smaller streams run into it. The economy improved in the mid-19th century when Windsor became the first town in the state to break ground for the railroad with the construction of a rail depot. Windsor Station
Windsor-Mt. Ascutney (Amtrak station)
Windsor also known as Windsor-Mt. Ascutney is a train station in Windsor, Vermont served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system...
connected the town to out of state markets. It was after the railroad went through that the area was discovered by tourists.
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 19.8 square miles (51.2 km2), of which 19.5 square miles (50.6 km2) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.5 km2) (1.06%) is water. Home to part of Mount Ascutney
Mount Ascutney
Mount Ascutney, is a 3144 foot monadnock located in southern Vermont. It is not the highest peak in Windsor County, Vermont, however, that honor falling to Gillespie Peak to the west. Particularly noteworthy about Ascutney are its granite outcrops, one of which, near its peak, serves as a...
, Windsor is situated beside the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
.
The town is crossed by
Interstate 91Interstate 91
Interstate 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...
,
U.S. Route 5U.S. Route 5
U.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...
,
Vermont Route 12Vermont Route 12
Vermont Route 12 is a north-south state highway in Vermont that runs from Weathersfield to Morrisville.-Route description:Route 12 begins at the New Hampshire state line on the Connecticut River in the town of Weathersfield. It continues north along the west bank of the Connecticut River,...
,
Vermont Route 44Vermont Route 44
Vermont Route 44 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Vermont. The state highway runs from VT 106 in Reading east to U.S. Route 5 and VT 12 in Windsor. VT 44 passes through West Windsor in southern Windsor County, serving the area north of Mount Ascutney...
, and
Vermont Route 44AVermont Route 44A
Vermont Route 44A is a state highway in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. It is a spur route of VT 44 that veers south to serve the town of Weathersfield. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 5 and VT 12 in Weathersfield. Its northern terminus is at...
. It borders the towns of Weathersfield
Weathersfield, Vermont
Weathersfield is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,788 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.2 square miles , of which 43.8 square miles is land and 0.4 square mile is...
to the south, West Windsor
West Windsor, Vermont
West Windsor is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,067 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.7 square miles , of which, 24.7 square miles of it is land and 0.04 square miles of...
to the west, and Hartland
Hartland, Vermont
Hartland is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,223 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.2 square miles , of which 45.0 square miles is land and 0.2 square mile is water...
to the north. Windsor is across the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
from Cornish, New Hampshire
Cornish, New Hampshire
Cornish is a town in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,640 at the 2010 census. Cornish has three covered bridges. Each August, it is home to the Cornish Fair.-History:...
.
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 3,756 people, 1,520 households, and 945 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 192.1 people per square mile (74.2/km2). There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of 82.4 per square mile (31.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.74% White, 0.24% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.24% 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 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
There were 1,520 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% 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,...
, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,815, and the median income for a family was $43,551. Males had a median income of $29,897 versus $23,313 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 $17,640. About 6.4% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, the national passenger rail system, provides daily service through Windsor, operating its Vermonter
Vermonter
Amtrak's Vermonter is a 611-mile passenger train service between St. Albans , New York City and Washington, D.C. One trip runs in each direction per day....
between Washington, DC and St. Albans, VT
St. Albans (town), Vermont
St. Albans is a town in Franklin County, Vermont. The population was 6,392 at the 2010 census. The town completely surrounds the city of St. Albans, which was separated from the town and incorporated in 1902. References to "St. Albans" prior to this date generally refer to the town center, which...
.
Notable people
- Asher BenjaminAsher BenjaminAsher Benjamin was an American architect and author whose work transitioned between Federal style architecture and the later Greek Revival. His seven handbooks on design deeply influenced the look of cities and towns throughout New England until the Civil War...
, architect, author, educator. - Carlos CoolidgeCarlos CoolidgeCarlos Coolidge was an American Whig politician. He was born in Windsor, Vermont in 1792. Graduated from Middlebury College in 1811; attorney for windsor County, Vermont from 1831 until 1836; representative in the legislature 1834–1837 and 1839–1842; speaker in 1836; governor of Vermont...
, politician. - Edward CurtisEdward Curtis (politician)Edward Curtis was a Representative from New York for two terms, March 4, 1837 through March 3, 1841. He served as Collector of the Port of New York beginning on March 23, 1841 until July 7, 1844....
, politician. - A. E. DouglassA. E. DouglassA. E. Douglass was an American astronomer. He discovered a correlation between tree rings and the sunspot cycle....
, astronomer. - William M. EvartsWilliam M. EvartsWilliam Maxwell Evarts was an American lawyer and statesman who served as U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Senator from New York...
, attorney general, secretary of state, and senator. - Horace EverettHorace EverettHorace Everett was a United States Representative from Vermont. He was born in Foxboro, Massachusetts. His father was John Everett; his mother was Melatiah Ware. He was a descendant of Richard Everett and first cousin of Edward Everett. He graduated from Brown University, Providence, Rhode...
, congressman. - William Laurel HarrisWilliam Laurel HarrisWilliam Laurel Harris was an American muralist, educator, editor and arts organizer.Harris was member Municipal Art Society , the Architectural League of New York , The National Mural Painters Society, and The Fine Arts Federation; he also founded the Art Centre with Katherine...
, educator and arts organizer. - Valentine B. HortonValentine B. HortonValentine Baxter Horton was a U.S. Representative from Ohio during the first two years of the American Civil War.-Biography:...
, congressman. - Gurdon Saltonstall HubbardGurdon Saltonstall HubbardGurdon Saltonstall Hubbard was an American fur trader, insurance underwriter and land speculator. Hubbard first arrived in Chicago on October 1, 1818 as a voyageur...
, fur trader and developer of Chicago. - Jonathan Hatch HubbardJonathan Hatch HubbardJonathan Hatch Hubbard was a U.S. Representative from Vermont.Born in Tolland, Connecticut, Hubbard, at the age of eleven moved with his parents to Claremont, New Hampshire.He was instructed by a private tutor....
, congressman. - William HunterWilliam Hunter (Vermont)William Hunter was a U.S. Representative from Vermont.Born in Sharon, Connecticut, Hunter attended the common schools...
, congressman. - Bob KeeshanBob KeeshanRobert James "Bob" Keeshan was an American television producer and actor. He is most notable as the title character of the children's television program Captain Kangaroo, which became an icon for millions of people during its 30-year run from 1955 to 1984.Keeshan also played the original...
, actor and television producer. - Maxwell PerkinsMaxwell PerkinsWilliam Maxwell Evarts Perkins , was the editor for Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe. He has been described as the most famous literary editor.-Career:...
, editor. - Matt SalingerMatt SalingerMatthew Salinger is an American actor. He is the son of author J. D. Salinger and psychologist Claire Douglas.-Career:...
, actor. - Stephen William ShawStephen William ShawStephen William Shaw was a California '49er and portrait painter who helped discover and name Humboldt Bay and introduced viticulture to Sonoma County by 1864.-Early life:...
, artist. - Zachary Hyde, American rapper who goes by the stage name "GENOCIDE"
- Mark ShepardMark ShepardMark I Shepard is a Vermont State Senator and unsuccessful candidate for the 2006 Republican nomination for Vermont's at-large United States House of Representatives seat.-Biography:...
, state senator. - Nathaniel SimondsNathaniel SimondsNathaniel Simonds was a U.S. politician from Missouri.He was born in Windsor, Vermont, and settled in St. Charles, Missouri in February, 1801. In September, 1821, he was appointed as the second State Treasurer of Missouri. Following his retirement as State Treasurer in 1829, he settled in Lincoln...
, politician. - William H.H. StowellWilliam H.H. StowellWilliam Henry Harrison Stowell was a nineteenth century congressman, merchant and industrialist from Virginia, Vermont, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Minnesota....
, congressman, merchant and industrialist. - Henry D. WashburnHenry D. WashburnHenry Dana Washburn was a U.S. Representative from Indiana and a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Biography:...
, congressman and general. - Maxwell EvartsMaxwell EvartsMaxwell Evarts, , youngest of the twelve children of Hon. William Maxwell Evarts and Helen Minerva Evarts. He was fitted for college at St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire. He graduated from Yale College, 1884, where he was a member of Skull and Bones...
Lead Council to the Union Pacific Railway; President, Windsor Savings Bank; Founded the State Fair Program in Vermont
Further reading
- A. J. Coolidge & J. B. Mansfield, A History and Description of New England, Boston, Massachusetts 1859
- Hayward's New England Gazetteer of 1839
- English and American Tool Builders. Joseph Wickham Roe, 1916 by Yale University Press and 1987 by Lindsay Publications Inc., Bradley IL 60915. ISBN 0-917914-73-2 paper