West Hartford, Vermont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Hartford Village Historic District
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The former West Hartford Village Store
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | VT 14, Harper Savage Ln., Tigertown Rd., and Stetson Rd., Hartford, Vermont |
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| Area | 47 acres (19 ha) |
| Architectural style | Federal, Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001368 |
| Added to NRHP | December 15, 2004 |
West Hartford is a small village located in the town of Hartford, Vermont. It's found in Windsor County and is one of five villages in Hartford. The village sits right next to the White River and is even crossed by the famous Appalachian Trail.
Even though West Hartford doesn't have a post office anymore, it still has a local library and a town park. The White River nearby is a great spot for fishing. The main part of the village is so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the West Hartford Village Historic District.
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Where is West Hartford?
West Hartford is in the very northern part of Hartford. It's about seven miles up the White River from where it meets the Connecticut River. The White River flows right through the village and past Clifford Park.
A Look Back: West Hartford's History
West Hartford began as a settlement in the late 1700s. It grew around mills and farms in the area. The oldest house still standing was built in 1795 by Francis and Abigail Savage. Abigail's family were some of the first landowners here.
Early Growth and Changes
Around 1800, a main road, now called Vermont Route 14, was built along the river. The village center really started to form in 1820. That's when the first bridge over the White River was built at Harper Savage Lane. A railroad station was also built nearby, which helped the village grow.
By 1830, West Hartford had a church and a post office. The village continued to do well throughout the 1800s. This was mostly because it was close to White River Junction, a very important railroad center.
The Great Flood of 1867
In 1867, a huge flood hit West Hartford. It destroyed much of the village's businesses. However, shops and stores continued to operate because the railroad was still there.
Bridges and New Beginnings
In the spring of 1927, Vermont rivers flooded again. This flood washed away several bridges, including the West Hartford Bridge, which used to be a covered bridge. Soon after, new, tall, green steel bridges were built to replace them.
In 2006, the West Hartford Bridge was replaced again with a new bridge called Veterans Bridge. The old bridge had a deep spot where people used to jump into the water. The new bridge is in a different spot, and it's not safe to jump there anymore. At the start of the new bridge, there's a small area honoring Hartford's veterans.
Clifford Park: A Community Hub
Clifford Park is a park maintained by the town. It has nature trails, a softball field, horseshoe pits, and a picnic area by the river. Every summer, hot air balloons from the Quechee Balloon Festival land there. Also, every Halloween, the Hartford Parks and Recreation Department turns it into a "Haunted Area" for local kids. The park is named after Clifford, who used to own the land.
Tropical Storm Irene in 2011
On August 28, 2011, West Hartford was hit hard by Tropical Storm Irene. Many houses, the country store, the library, and the post office were damaged. The post office was torn down, the store was fixed, and the library was rebuilt.
The storm also damaged the bridge and Route 14. The bridge was closed for several weeks, making it hard for people to get to work. Route 14 had large holes where the river had washed away the road. On August 29, residents and volunteers used tractors and snowplows to clear mud and debris from Route 14. The town's church became a place to collect donations for those affected by the storm.
Clifford Park was also badly damaged by the storm. It was covered in at least a foot of mud. The playground, basketball court, tennis courts, and baseball field all had to be rebuilt. Now, there are picnic tables under a shady structure, benches around the field, and a wooden fence around the gravel parking lot.
Even though most of the cleanup is done, you can still see signs of the storm's power. Houses, roads, and riverbanks still show erosion from Irene.
Schools in West Hartford
Elementary students from West Hartford go to Ottauquechee School in Quechee, Vermont, for grades Kindergarten through 5th. For middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12), they attend Hartford Memorial Middle School and Hartford High School. There are also private schools nearby, like the Upper Valley Waldorf School and Mid Vermont Christian School in Quechee.
