MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS

A short history of Middletown Springs

Settlement began shortly before the American Revolutionary War. At that time, the four towns of Ira, Poultney, Wells, and Tinmouth converged within a fertile valley ringed by mountains. Inhabitants of this valley had difficulty crossing the mountains to attend church and conduct business in their respective towns, and resolved in 1784 to petition the legislature to create a new town. The petition was granted, and the honor of naming the town was given to settler Joseph Spaulding because of his service in surveying the town's borders. He chose "Middletown" as result of its location at the middle of four towns and to pay homage to his hometown of Middletown, Connecticut. By the year 1810, the population had reached its all-time high of 1,207 persons, and the town was marked by a character of industriousness and prosperity. Middletown had become "a central place" within Rutland County, with many citizens of nearby communities traveling to patronize the businesses in town which included numerous grist and saw mills, forges, distilleries, tanneries, and clothiers works, as well as mechanics' shops, taverns, and general stores. An incredibly severe flood which occurred during the summer of 1811 damaged or completely swept away nearly all of the mills and industries, a blow from which the town never truly recovered.

The town's name was officially changed to "Middletown Springs" in 1885, which was a reference to the town's mineral springs that drew in large numbers of visitors in the late 19th century.

Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Middletown Springs, Vermont, revision 1378574532 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.