Montpelier, Vermont facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Montpelier
State capital city
Vermont State House Main Street in 2022 State Street in 2012 The Pavilion Saint Augustine Church City Hall in 2012 College Hall
Flag Seal Logo
Location in Washington County in Vermont
Country	United States
State	Vermont
County	Washington
Region	New England
Settled	1787
Incorporated (village)	1818
Incorporated (city)	1895
Named for	Montpellier, France
Area
• Total	10.25 sq mi (26.54 km2)
• Land	10.05 sq mi (26.04 km2)
• Water	0.19 sq mi (0.50 km2)
Elevation	522 ft (159 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,074
• Density	787.7/sq mi (304.22/km2)
Demonym(s)	Montpelierite
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	05601-05604, 05609, 05620, 05633
Area code(s)	802
FIPS code	50-46000
GNIS feature ID	1461834
Interstates
U.S. Highways
State Routes

Montpelier is the capital city of Vermont, a state in the United States. It is also the main town of Washington County. Montpelier is home to Vermont's state government. It is the smallest state capital in the U.S. by population.

In 2020, about 8,074 people lived in Montpelier. During the day, the population grows to about 21,000. This is because many people work in the city. The Vermont College of Fine Arts is also located here. The city was named after Montpellier, a city in France.

Montpelier was officially started as a town on August 14, 1781. The first people to settle there permanently arrived in May 1787. The city got its French name because people liked France after its help in the American Revolutionary War. Montpelier was chosen as the state capital in 1805. Citizens helped pay to build the first state house. The city was officially made a city in 1895.

Montpelier is in the middle of Vermont. The Winooski River flows along the south side of the city. Another river, the North Branch, also runs through the city. Flooding can be a problem in Montpelier. Big floods happened in 1927, 1992, and 2023. After a fire in 1875, many buildings were rebuilt with brick to prevent future fires. The state government is a big part of the city's economy. Insurance and tourism are also important.

You can reach Montpelier by Amtrak train. The station is a short distance from downtown. Small private planes can use a nearby airport. For bigger planes, the closest airport is in Burlington.

History of Montpelier

The first Vermont State House, built in 1808.

Montpelier as it looked in 1884.

State Street in the Montpelier Historic District, 2006.

Early Days and Native Americans

The flat lands near the Winooski River were perfect for growing corn. Native Americans liked living in Montpelier because the valley protected them from winds. This made the area warmer. Many streams met here, which was good for hunting, fishing, and trading. Early settlers found old Native American sites in the area.

Between 1600 and 1800, European settlers started arriving. Sadly, war and sickness greatly reduced the Native American population. But some Native Americans stayed in the area until the mid-1800s.

Founding the Town

Montpelier was officially created on August 14, 1781. The first people to live there permanently arrived in May 1787. Colonel Jacob Davis and General Parley Davis came from Massachusetts. General Davis mapped the land. Colonel Davis cleared trees and built a log house. His family moved in that winter.

Colonel Davis chose the name "Montpelier" after a city in France. People in America liked France because France helped them during the American Revolutionary War. The settlement grew quickly. By 1791, 117 people lived there.

Becoming the Capital

In 1805, Montpelier had 1,200 people. The state government needed a permanent home. Montpelier was chosen because it was in the center of the state and easy to get to. Local residents also gave land and money. A simple State House was built on State Street.

In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette visited Montpelier. He was a French hero of the Revolutionary War.

Growth and Changes

Montpelier became a center for making things. This grew even more after the Central Vermont Railway opened in 1849. In 1848, the original town was split into two parts: East Montpelier and Montpelier. Later, Montpelier became a village.

By 1858, the main streets were set up along the rivers. The downtown area looks much the same today. In 1875, a big fire destroyed many buildings downtown.

Montpelier had the first water-powered electricity system in Vermont in 1884. This power was used for streetlights. In 1894, Montpelier officially became a city.

Important Events and Parks

In 1899, "Dewey Day" was held to honor George Dewey. He was a local hero from the Spanish–American War. Also in 1899, Hubbard Park was created. John Erastus Hubbard gave the land to the city. He wanted to keep it wild for future generations. An observation tower was built in the park between 1915 and 1930.

Major Floods in Montpelier

Montpelier has faced several major floods.

• The Great Flood of 1927: Heavy rains in November 1927 caused rivers to overflow. Water rose 13 feet above normal levels. Downtown stores were covered in mud. The damage was huge, but Vermont was praised for its recovery. To help prevent future floods, the Civilian Conservation Corps built the Wrightsville Dam from 1933 to 1935. This created the Wrightsville Reservoir.
• The 1992 Flood: In March 1992, an ice jam in the Winooski River caused another flood. Water levels rose quickly, flooding downtown Montpelier. Many businesses were shut down, and people lost their homes.
• The 2023 Flood: Heavy rains in July 2023 caused more severe flooding. Many homes and downtown businesses were affected. Even the city's fire department and City Hall were damaged.

Geography and Climate

The Winooski River in Montpelier.

Montpelier is in the north-central part of Vermont. The city center is a flat area. It is surrounded by hills and rocky ledges.

The city covers about 10.3 square miles (26.5 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. The Winooski River flows along the south side of downtown. Smaller streams also flow through the city.

Montpelier is next to the towns of Middlesex, Berlin, and East Montpelier. It is often linked with the nearby city of Barre. They are sometimes called "the twin cities."

Montpelier's Weather

Montpelier has a humid continental climate. This means it has long, cold, and snowy winters. Springs and autumns are short. Summers are warm and humid.

In winter, temperatures often drop below 0°F (–18°C). Snow is common and stays on the ground for a long time. The average snowfall each year is about 94.2 inches (2.39 meters). Summers are warm, with a few days reaching over 90°F (32°C). The highest temperature ever recorded was 97°F (36°C). The lowest was -34°F (–37°C).

Population and People

Montpelier is part of a small urban area with Barre. In 2020, Montpelier's population was 8,074. There were about 3,739 households.

About 21.3% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age was 40 years. Most people in Montpelier are White. There are also smaller groups of Black, Asian, and Hispanic people.

Economy and Jobs

Downtown shops in Montpelier.

The main businesses in Montpelier are state government, higher education, insurance, and tourism.

Key Industries

Since it became the capital in 1805, the state government has been the biggest employer. In the mid-1800s, insurance companies also started in Montpelier.

Most of the businesses downtown are owned by local people. You can find shops selling antiques, books, toys, crafts, and Vermont-themed gifts. Montpelier is unique because it is the only state capital without a Starbucks or a McDonald's.

The Savoy Theater, opened in 1905, shows independent and international films. The annual Green Mountain Film Festival is held here.

Tourism in Montpelier

The Vermont History Museum is a popular place to visit. It is located in The Pavilion.

Arts and Culture

A building on State Street near the North Branch River.

Montpelier has many cultural spots:

• Kellogg-Hubbard Library
• Lost Nation Theater
• Montpelier Theatre Guild
• Vermont History Museum
• Vermont State House
• T. W. Wood Gallery & Arts Center
• Capital City Concerts

A fun local tradition is the Valentine Phantom. Every February 14, downtown shops and buildings are covered with red hearts. This started in the 1990s.

Sports and Recreation

The Vermont Mountaineers baseball team plays at the Montpelier Recreation Field. They are part of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

The Vermont Super 8 bikepacking route starts at the capitol building each fall.

Parks and Outdoor Fun

The Hubbard Park Observation Tower, built between 1915 and 1930.

Montpelier has three city nature centers. Hubbard Park is behind the state capitol building. It has trails and an observation tower.

The North Branch River Park is the second-largest park. It has growing mountain biking trails. A pump track is also being built there. The Mill Pond Park offers boat access to the North Branch river. The North Branch Nature Center has 17 acres of protected land. A bridge connects it to the North Branch River Park.

Education in Montpelier

Montpelier has several schools:

• Public Schools:
  • Montpelier High School
  • Main Street Middle School
  • Union Elementary School
• Private School:
  • River Rock School (Kindergarten to 8th grade)
• Colleges:
  • A campus of the Community College of Vermont
  • Union Institute & University (Vermont campus)
  • Vermont College of Fine Arts

Media and News

• The Barre Montpelier Times Argus is a daily newspaper for the area.
• The Montpelier Bridge is a paper that comes out twice a month.
• WNNE is a local TV station.
• ORCA Media is a non-profit center that helps with community media.

Transportation

Main Street in downtown Montpelier.

Montpelier is easy to reach because it's near the center of Vermont.

Roads for Driving

Interstate 89 runs through the city. U.S. Route 2 and Vermont Route 12 also meet in Montpelier. These roads connect the city to other parts of Vermont, like Burlington. U.S. Route 302 starts in Montpelier and goes to Barre and other towns.

Train Travel

Amtrak provides daily train service. The station is in nearby Berlin. The "Vermonter" train travels between St. Albans, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.

Bus Services

Greyhound and Megabus have bus stops in Montpelier. The Green Mountain Transit Authority (GMTA) runs local buses. These buses go to Montpelier, Barre, and nearby Waterbury. They also stop at the Vermont State House and the Ben & Jerry's factory.

Airports

Private planes can use the Edward F. Knapp State Airport in Berlin. For commercial flights, the closest airport is Burlington International Airport. It is about 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Montpelier.

Walking and Biking

Montpelier has paths for walking and bicycling. These include the Cross Vermont Trail and the Central Vermont Regional Path. Downtown Montpelier is easy to walk around, with sidewalks and crosswalks.

Notable People

Sister Cities

• Zapopan, Mexico

See also

In Spanish: Montpelier (Vermont) para niños