Addison County, Vermont

Addison County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Etymology - Origin of County Name

The History of Addison County by H.P. Smith, 1886, D. Mason and Co. states that Addison County "...was named in honor of Joseph Addison, the English author..." The Addison family continues to thrive in England and has written us with the information that Joseph lived from 1672 to 1719 and left these words for us: Happiness is something to do, something to love, something to hope for! Addison is buried in Westminster Abby.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

County History

Addison County was organized 18 Oct 1785 from Rutland County.
County Seat: Middlebury

In 1609, the French explorer Samuel de Champlain entered the 136-mile lake that would bear his name. Before the end of 17th century, a small stone fort was built at Chimney Point near what is now West Addison on Lake Champlain. It was the first settlement in Vermont. The fort was occupied by the French and then the British. During the Revolutionary War, Lake Champlain was the scene of bitter battles and those living in the area were captured or driven away. One such event happened in May of 1775; Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, along with Benedict Arnold rowed across the Lake to captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British.

Finally, in 1783, peace was declared, settlers began to return and new communities were formed. Addison County was established on October 18, 1795 and encompassed most of the lands in northwestern Vermont bounded by Lake Champlain. When Vermont was admitted to the Union in 1791, the size of the County was reduced to its present area with a population of about 6,400 settlers.

The Territory of Addison County in Prehistoric Times -- Its Territory Discovered by White Men -- Subject to Five Different Powers -- Division of the State of Vermont into Counties -- Their Names and Extent -- Errors in Dates -- Extent and Boundaries of the Present Addison County -- Division into Towns -- Beginning of its History -- First Courts.

More at
History of Addison County, Vermont
Edited by H. P. Smith
D. Mason & Co., Publishers
1886

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 808 square miles (2,093 km²), of which, 770 square miles (1,995 km²) of it is land and 38 square miles (99 km²) of it (4.72%) is water. The primary stream of the county is Otter Creek, which runs through the county from the south to the north.

Neighboring Counties:

• Chittenden County, Vermont - north
• Washington County, Vermont - northeast
• Orange County, Vermont - east
• Windsor County, Vermont - southeast
• Rutland County, Vermont - south
• Washington County, New York - southwest
• Essex County, New York - west

Cities and Towns:

County Resources:

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