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Randolph, Vermont
Town
Downtown Randolph
Downtown Randolph
Country  United States
State  Vermont
County Orange
Chartered 1781 (Vermont)
Communities Randolph
Randolph Center
East Randolph
North Randolph
South Randolph
Area
 • Total 47.9 sq mi (124.1 km2)
 • Land 47.9 sq mi (124.0 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation
694 ft (420 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,774
 • Density 99.67/sq mi (38.469/km2)
 • Households
1,783
 • Families
1,066
Time zone UTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
05041 (East Randolph)
05061 (Randolph Center)
05060 (Randolph)
Area code(s) 802
FIPS code 50-58075
GNIS feature ID 1462182

Randolph is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. In 2020, about 4,774 people lived there. This makes Randolph the biggest town in Orange County. It's a busy place where many smaller farming towns nearby come to shop and meet.

When Randolph was first settled, it had three villages: Randolph Center, East Randolph, and West Randolph. Today, the main village of Randolph used to be called West Randolph. Each of these original villages still has its own fire department.

History of Randolph

West Randolph, Vt. (2675175435)
Print of West Randolph from 1886 by L.R. Burleigh showing old landmarks

Vermont officially created the town of Randolph on November 2, 1780. It was given to Aaron Storrs and 70 other people on June 29, 1781. The town was first called "Middlesex."

People started settling here around 1778. At that time, Vermont was not yet recognized as a state by the United States. To help Vermont become a recognized state, the town was renamed in honor of Edmund Randolph. He was one of the important people who helped create the United States.

Early Life and Industries

Randolph had very good soil for farming. By 1830, the town had a population of 2,743 people. At that time, about 12,000 to 13,000 sheep grazed in its fields. Randolph was known for its tasty butter, cheese, and mutton (sheep meat).

Two parts of the White River flowed through Randolph. These rivers provided water power for mills. By 1859, the town had three mills for grinding grain and one mill for processing oil. There was also a mill for preparing wool. In 1848, the Vermont Central Railroad started service through Randolph. This brought more growth to the town.

During the Victorian era, Randolph became quite wealthy. This led to the building of beautiful buildings. Examples include the Randolph Railroad Depot and the Kimball Public Library.

Randolph in Movies

In 1921, Randolph was the setting for a silent movie called The Offenders. Some local people even acted in the movie! The next year, in 1922, another film called Insinuation was also made there.

Randolph Today

Today, Randolph is a busy place for shopping and community events. It has interesting places like the Porter Music Box Museum and the Chandler Music Hall. You can also find the Gifford Medical Center, which is a hospital. Dubois & King, an engineering company, is also located here.

Randolph Union High School serves students from Randolph and nearby towns. Downtown Randolph has the Amtrak train station, shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and gas stations.

  • Union Block, Randolph, VT

    Union Block in 1912

  • Kimball Public Library, Randolph, VT

    Kimball Library around 1915

  • Corner Main & Pleasant Sts., Randolph, VT

    North Main Street in 1913

Geography and Nature

Randolph covers about 47.9 square miles (124.1 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water. The town is drained by the second and third branches of the White River.

People of Randolph

The population of Randolph has changed over the years:

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 893 —
1800 1,841 106.2%
1810 2,255 22.5%
1820 2,487 10.3%
1830 2,743 10.3%
1840 2,678 −2.4%
1850 2,666 −0.4%
1860 2,502 −6.2%
1870 2,829 13.1%
1880 2,910 2.9%
1890 3,232 11.1%
1900 3,141 −2.8%
1910 3,191 1.6%
1920 3,010 −5.7%
1930 3,166 5.2%
1940 3,278 3.5%
1950 3,499 6.7%
1960 3,414 −2.4%
1970 3,882 13.7%
1980 4,689 20.8%
1990 4,764 1.6%
2000 4,853 1.9%
2010 4,778 −1.5%
2020 4,774 −0.1%

In 2000, there were 4,853 people living in Randolph. Most people were White (97.77%). About 23.3% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age in town was 36 years.

Education in Randolph

The main campus of Vermont Technical College is located in Randolph Center. This is a college where students can learn technical skills.

Randolph has two public schools:

  • Randolph Elementary School (for grades K–6)
  • Randolph Union Jr. High School (for grades 7–12)

Getting Around Randolph

Roads and Highways

Randolph has several important roads. Interstate 89 goes through the town, with one exit near the center. Vermont Route 12 runs through downtown Randolph. Vermont Route 14 goes through the eastern part of town. Vermont Route 66 connects these roads. Vermont Route 12A also starts near Randolph and goes towards Braintree.

Public Transportation

Randolph vt depot
Randolph Railroad Depot

Amtrak, the national passenger train system, has daily service to Randolph. The train, called the Vermonter, travels between Washington, D.C. and St. Albans, Vermont. Local buses, run by Tri-Valley Transit, help people get around town. They also go to other parts of Orange County and to nearby towns like White River Junction.

Media in Randolph

Newspaper

  • The Herald of Randolph is a weekly newspaper.

Radio Stations

  • WWFY – 100.9 FM (Froggy 100.9 FM – Country music)
  • WRFK – 107.1 FM (107.1 Frank FM – Classic Rock music)
  • WCVR – 1320 AM (Real Country 1320 – Country music)
  • WVXR – 102.1 FM (VPR Classical – Classical music)
  • WVTC – 90.7 FM (Vermont Tech Radio – Various music)

Sites of Interest

  • RHS Museum

    Randolph Historical Society Museum

Notable People from Randolph

Many interesting people have connections to Randolph:

  • George W. Barker, a U.S. Marshal and judge.
  • Jedediah Berry, an author.
  • Dudley Blodget, a politician from Wisconsin.
  • Calvin H. Blodgett, a mayor of Burlington, Vermont.
  • Albert Brown Chandler, who was president of a telegraph company.
  • Dudley Chase, a United States Senator.
  • Harry H. Cooley, a Secretary of State of Vermont.
  • William H. Dubois, a Vermont State Treasurer.
  • Joseph Edson, a U.S. Marshal.
  • Lebbeus Egerton, a Lieutenant Governor of Vermont.
  • Martin Flint, a military leader in Vermont.
  • Henrik Galeen, an actor and director.
  • William Hebard, a U.S. congressman.
  • Carroll Ketchum, a Vermont state legislator.
  • Zosia Mamet, a singer and actress.
  • Jean Merrill, a writer and editor.
  • Colonel Jonathan Miller, a fighter for freedom and women's rights.
  • Justin Morgan, a horse breeder and composer.
  • Sherman R. Moulton, a Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.
  • Buster Olney, a sports writer for ESPN.
  • John K. Parish, a politician and judge.
  • John W. Rowell, a Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.
  • John C. Sherburne, Vermont's first Rhodes Scholar and Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.
  • Milan H. Sessions, a politician.
  • Ronni Solbert, a children’s book illustrator.
  • Larry Townsend, a Vermont legislator.
  • Levi Baker Vilas, a politician.
  • Stephen W. Webster, a Vermont state legislator.
  • Jessamyn West, a librarian.

International Connections

Randolph has a special connection with a town in Ukraine:

  • Ukraine Myrhorod

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Randolph (Vermont) para niños

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