Waterbury, Vermont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waterbury, Vermont
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Downtown Waterbury
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Location in Washington County and the state of Vermont.
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 Waterbury, Vermont
Location in Vermont
Waterbury, Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Vermont |
| County | Washington |
| Communities |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 49.7 sq mi (128.8 km2) |
| • Land | 48.2 sq mi (124.9 km2) |
| • Water | 1.5 sq mi (3.9 km2) |
| Elevation | 614 ft (187 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,331 |
| • Density | 107.26/sq mi (41.390/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
05671, 05676 (Waterbury)
05677 (Waterbury Center) |
| Area code(s) | 802 |
| FIPS code | 50-76975 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1462244 |
Waterbury is a town located in Washington County in central Vermont, United States. It's a charming place with a rich history. Even though the village of Waterbury used to be its own separate town, it officially joined with the larger Town of Waterbury in 2018. As of the 2020 census, about 5,331 people live here.
Contents
History of Waterbury
The area where Waterbury is today was once a borderland between the Mahican and Pennacook Native American tribes. European settlers first arrived in 1763. This was when King George III gave a special paper, called a charter, for land in the Winooski River valley.
Early Settlers and Growth
James Marsh was the first permanent white settler in Waterbury in 1783. Many early settlers came from a town called Waterbury in Connecticut. They named their new home in Vermont after their old one. The village of Waterbury became an official municipality in 1882. At that time, it had more than 2,000 people.
Railroad and Education
The Central Vermont Railroad arrived in Waterbury in 1849. This brought new ways for people and goods to travel. The train station became a more important stop on the Vermonter train route in 1875. Also, a school called the Green Mountain Seminary was built in Waterbury Center in 1869.
State Hospital and Local Industries
In 1891, the state opened the Vermont State Asylum for the Insane in Waterbury. This hospital, later called the Vermont State Hospital, grew very large. It had over 40 buildings at one point. By the 1980s, fewer patients needed care there. So, many of the buildings were then used for state offices.
Like many towns in New England, Waterbury's economy used to depend on local river mills and farms. The mills made things like lumber, wood products, wicker items, leather, and starch. Farms mainly raised sheep in the 1800s. By the 1900s, they switched to dairy farming, producing milk and cheese. Waterbury even had a ski factory, the Derby & Ball Company, in the 1940s.
Floods and Recovery
In 1927, Waterbury faced a big flood, like many other Vermont towns. You can still see marks on some buildings in Waterbury village. These marks show how high the water rose during the 1927 flood. The town recovered, and in 1938, the Waterbury Dam was built. The Army Corps of Engineers built it on the Little River to help control future floods.
On August 29, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused more flooding in downtown Waterbury. The Vermont State Hospital buildings were filled with up to 6 feet of water. Patients had to move to other places in Vermont. Many state employees also had to work from other towns.
Village Dissolves
In 2017, the people living in the Village of Waterbury voted to combine with the larger Town of Waterbury. This merger was completed on June 30, 2018.
Economy and Tourism
Waterbury is famous for being the home of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Their factory tours are one of Vermont's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors love to see how the ice cream is made and, of course, taste it!
The town also has many restaurants and shops. Waterbury is located near big mountains like Mount Mansfield. This means businesses do very well in October. That's when tourists come to see the beautiful fall foliage.
Population in Waterbury
Waterbury is home to 5,331 people as of the 2020 census. The town has grown steadily over the years. In 2000, there were 4,915 people living here. About 2,011 households were in the town at that time.
Education in Waterbury
Students in Waterbury are part of the Washington West Supervisory Union. Younger students attend Brookside Primary School for preschool through 4th grade. For grades 5-8, students go to Crossett Brook Middle School. High school students, from 9th to 12th grade, attend Harwood Union High School.
Transportation
Train Service
Amtrak, the national passenger train system, offers daily service to Waterbury. Their Vermonter train travels between St. Albans and Washington, D.C..
Bus Services
The Green Mountain Transit Agency (GMTA) provides public bus services. These buses connect Waterbury to nearby towns like Burlington, Montpelier, Morrisville, and Stowe.
Roads and Highways
Waterbury is served by several important roads. These include Interstate 89, U.S. Route 2, and Route 100.
Media
Radio Stations
Waterbury is home to radio station WDEV (550 AM & 96.1 FM). This station broadcasts news and talk shows. Its offices and studios are on Stowe Street. Another station, WIXM (103.3 FM), is officially licensed to Waterbury. Its tower is on Ricker Mountain, but its main offices are in South Burlington.
Local News
The Waterbury Record used to be a weekly newspaper for the area. It stopped publishing in 2020 due to economic reasons. In May 2020, a new online news source, the Waterbury Roundabout, was started. It provides local news for the community.
Notable People from Waterbury
Many interesting people have connections to Waterbury:
- Charles J. Adams, who was the Vermont Attorney General.
- Paul Dillingham, who served as the 29th Governor of Vermont.
- William P. Dillingham, who was the 42nd Governor of Vermont.
- Wallace M. Greene, a commandant (leader) of the Marine Corps.
- Henry Janes, a soldier and humanitarian who was a chief surgeon at the Battle of Gettysburg.
- Ken Squier, a well-known NASCAR commentator for CBS and owner of WDEV Radio.
- William Wells, a merchant and Civil War general who received the Medal of Honor.
Climate
Waterbury has a climate with big changes between seasons. Summers are warm to hot and can sometimes be humid. Temperatures can even reach 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cold, and sometimes very cold. This type of climate is called a humid continental climate.
