Pittsfield, Vermont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pittsfield, Vermont
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Bird's-eye view of Pittsfield c. 1910
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Pittsfield, Vermont
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Vermont |
| County | Rutland |
| Chartered | 1781 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 20.1 sq mi (51.9 km2) |
| • Land | 20.1 sq mi (51.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 891 ft (272 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 504 |
| • Density | 25.07/sq mi (9.711/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
05762
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| Area code(s) | 802 |
| FIPS code | 50-55450 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1462173 |
Pittsfield is a small town located in Rutland County, Vermont, in the United States. In 2020, about 504 people lived there. Pittsfield is also known for hosting an exciting annual Snowshoe Race.
Contents
History of Pittsfield
Pittsfield became an official town on July 29, 1781. It was given to Samuel Wilcox and 129 other people. The town was named after Pittsfield, Massachusetts, which was named after a famous British leader, William Pitt. The first settlers arrived in Pittsfield in 1786.
The land in Pittsfield is quite mountainous, which made it good for raising animals like cows and sheep. People even joked that the one-legged milking stool was invented here! They said it helped farmers milk cows on the hilly ground.
A farmhouse from around 1915, shown in an old postcard, is still standing today. In 1960, it was turned into The Fleur De Lis Lodge. This lodge provides rooms for travelers and skiers. Six of the rooms are still in the original farmhouse part. Seven more rooms were added in a newer section.
In 2011, Pittsfield was one of thirteen towns in Vermont that became cut off. This happened because of major flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene.
Geography of Pittsfield
Pittsfield covers about 20.0 square miles (51.9 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the town limits. It is nestled among the beautiful Green Mountains.
The Tweed River flows through Pittsfield. This river is a smaller stream that flows into the White River. The town is also crossed by Vermont Route 100, a main road that helps people get around.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 49 | — | |
| 1800 | 164 | 234.7% | |
| 1810 | 338 | 106.1% | |
| 1820 | 453 | 34.0% | |
| 1830 | 505 | 11.5% | |
| 1840 | 615 | 21.8% | |
| 1850 | 512 | −16.7% | |
| 1860 | 493 | −3.7% | |
| 1870 | 482 | −2.2% | |
| 1880 | 555 | 15.1% | |
| 1890 | 468 | −15.7% | |
| 1900 | 435 | −7.1% | |
| 1910 | 402 | −7.6% | |
| 1920 | 343 | −14.7% | |
| 1930 | 256 | −25.4% | |
| 1940 | 259 | 1.2% | |
| 1950 | 225 | −13.1% | |
| 1960 | 254 | 12.9% | |
| 1970 | 249 | −2.0% | |
| 1980 | 396 | 59.0% | |
| 1990 | 389 | −1.8% | |
| 2000 | 427 | 9.8% | |
| 2010 | 546 | 27.9% | |
| 2020 | 504 | −7.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 427 people living in Pittsfield. These people lived in 190 households, with 120 of them being families. The town had about 21 people per square mile.
About 25% of the households had children under 18 living with them. Most households, about 55%, were married couples living together. The average household had about 2.25 people. The average family had about 2.73 people.
The population included people of different ages. About 20% were under 18 years old. About 30% were between 25 and 44 years old. Another 30% were between 45 and 64 years old. About 15% were 65 years or older. The average age in the town was 41 years old.
Notable Events
In August 2011, Pittsfield faced a big challenge. Tropical Storm Irene caused severe flooding. This flooding destroyed parts of Vermont Route 100. The road connects Pittsfield to nearby towns like Killington and Bethel. For weeks, it was impossible to drive in or out of Pittsfield.
The Giorgetti Covered Bridge was completely washed away by the floodwaters. Eight homes were also destroyed. The landscape of this small village changed a lot because of this flood. People compared it to the Great Vermont Flood of 1927, another very serious flood in Vermont's history.
Site of Interest
- Giorgetti Covered Bridge
Notable People
- Belle C. Greene, a writer
- Charles Herbert Joyce, a US congressman
- Chelsea Marshall, a former US Ski Team Member who grew up in Pittsfield
- Joe De Sena, who lives in Pittsfield
Images for kids
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A Pittsfield farmhouse c. 1915
See also
In Spanish: Pittsfield (Vermont) para niños
