These are the very first towns visited as part of the VT 251 exploration. ARLINGTON (and the neighboring towns of EAST ARLINGTON & SANDGATE) seemed a perfect first stop as it was Vermont's first state capital!
ARLINGTON
In 1777, Arlington became the first capital of the independent Vermont Republic. It was admitted to the Union as the 14th state in 1791.
It is a small town in the Northshire (the southwestern corner of the state nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountain ranges), with a population of 2,457 (in 2020). The town has a rural landscapes as well as a town center with playing fields and a bona fide Dairy Barn (which I have yet to try, but I'm guessing it's pretty good as there are often lines outside during the summer). I will also add that Arlington is home to The Sugar Shack, located just up the road from the Dairy Barn on Route 7A, and this is well worth a visit for anything maple (including creemees and incredible cider sammiches with maple hot fudge*), Vermont tourist items, local goods, and it even has a Norman Rockwell "museum" (of prints). In season, if Dairy Barn eats and maple are not what you are in the mood to consume, head to Bronwyn for some pretty-traditional German fare -- beer hall and schnitzel included!
WEST ARLINGTON (& East Arlington)
West Arlington is best (really, only) known as home to Norman Rockwell (from 1939-1953) and the West Arlington Covered Bridge, leading to Rockwell's house (now known as Rockwell's Retreat, a Bed & Breakfast). It's typically considered an area of Arlington, but for the purposes of the VT 251, it is its own place. In East Arlington, there is a Chocolatorium (kinda disappointing with a name like that, to be honest), as well as an old mill along a lovely brook built by the Green Mountain Boys in 1764 (before Vermont was even an independent state). Where there is no town center for West Arlington (that I have seen), East Arlington does have a small town center and a little commerce.
SANDGATE
Just north of (West) Arlington, VT is the tiny town of Sandgate (pop. 392 in 2018), where a road literally ends with a sign saying, "you can't get there from here," now memorialized on their town hall sign. Other than a cemetery and town hall, Sandgate (like many tiny towns in Vermont) seems to have no other signage or public buildings. However, they did have a (likely private) covered bridge (Kreffer Bridge)!
More coming soon!
*Click here for a post with a picture and review of the awesome cider sammich.
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