You’ll find the remnants of Branch, Vermont tucked away near the Barton River, where natural waterfalls once powered a bustling industrial town. Starting in 1796 with small mills, it grew into a textile manufacturing hub, producing 700 yards of woolen goods daily. A devastating fire, visible from Saint Johnsbury, coupled with floods and extensive deforestation, led to its abandonment. Today, the dilapidated Almeron Goodell Farmhouse stands as a silent witness to Branch’s dramatic past.
Key Takeaways
- Branch transformed from an industrial powerhouse to a ghost town following devastating fires and floods in the early 20th century.
- The Great Fire destroyed the Vermont Valley Woolen Mill, leading to economic collapse and significant population exodus.
- Environmental challenges, including deforestation and natural disasters, contributed to Branch’s eventual abandonment.
- The Almeron Goodell Farmhouse stands as the last remaining structure in the abandoned community of Ricker Basin.
- Historical remnants of Branch can be explored through hiking trails in Little River State Park.
A Mill Town’s Rise to Industrial Prominence
While many Vermont settlements relied primarily on agriculture, Branch emerged as an industrial powerhouse thanks to the natural waterfalls along the Barton River.
You’ll find the story of mill evolution here starting in 1796, when small owner-operated mills served local needs by grinding grain and sawing lumber.
As the railroad arrived mid-19th century, you’d have witnessed remarkable industrial diversification.
The town’s mills expanded beyond basic agricultural processing into woolen textiles, machine parts, and specialized woodworking. The Peerless Manufacturing Company became a major employer of local women in 1892, creating new opportunities in the workforce. Workers typically earned $3.15 per week for their labor, though room and board was deducted from their wages.
Large out-of-state companies invested heavily in Branch, capitalizing on its abundant waterpower and newfound rail connections to urban markets.
This transformation made Branch stand out as one of Vermont’s rare industry-dominated towns, where manufacturing, not farming, drove the local economy through the early 20th century.
The Night That Changed Everything
On a frigid December night, Branch’s destiny changed forever when an inferno consumed the Vermont Valley Woolen Mill, the town’s industrial heart.
You could see the blaze from Saint Johnsbury, five miles away, as it devoured the five-story wooden structure and spread to nearby buildings, including the bridge and post office.
The Green Bank family, alongside determined neighbors, showed remarkable community resilience as they battled the flames and salvaged what they could in the bitter cold.
Through darkness and frost, neighbors united to fight the inferno, their spirit unbroken as they fought to save their community.
The mill had been producing 700 yards daily of woolen textiles before its devastating destruction.
Much like the charcoal and lumber industries that once sustained Glastenbury, Branch’s economic fate rested precariously on a single industry.
But the fire’s fury proved unstoppable, and within two hours, it had reduced the mill to ashes.
This catastrophe exposed Branch’s industrial vulnerability – its dependence on a single economic pillar.
As the embers cooled, the town’s fate was sealed, marking the beginning of an exodus that would transform Branch into a ghost town.
Nature’s Role in Branch’s Story
As you explore Branch’s decline, the surrounding Green Mountains tell a sobering tale of environmental exploitation.
You’ll find evidence of extensive logging that stripped the forests bare, depleting the essential resources that once sustained the town’s industries. The environmental challenges didn’t stop there – devastating floods and forest fires repeatedly threatened the community’s survival. Much like the ghost town of Glastenbury, Branch faced the harsh realities of mountain life.
Branch’s rugged mountain setting, while initially an asset for timber harvesting, ultimately contributed to its downfall. The town’s primary focus on charcoal production led to widespread deforestation in the area. The steep terrain made resource management difficult and isolated the town during harsh winters.
When natural disasters struck, the topography hindered recovery efforts. The combination of deforestation, soil erosion, and the charcoal industry’s insatiable appetite for timber created a perfect storm.
Like many Vermont mountain towns, Branch couldn’t survive the environmental toll of unchecked industrial growth.
Life After the Great Fire
The devastating fire that swept through Branch marked a turning point in the town’s history, fundamentally reshaping its physical and social landscape.
Branch’s catastrophic fire forever altered the community’s fabric, marking a moment when everything – from buildings to social bonds – changed irrevocably.
You’ll find evidence of remarkable community resilience in how residents banded together, providing shelter and support to displaced neighbors while surrounding towns extended helping hands.
Despite these united efforts, Branch faced significant economic challenges during reconstruction. The town established an efficient fire department under the village corporation to prevent future disasters.
You can trace the town’s transformation through its shift to fire-resistant buildings, revised safety codes, and enhanced firefighting capabilities.
Yet many businesses never reopened, and some families chose to relocate permanently. Similar to the Eaton’s Sugar House incident, only the foundation remained after the devastating blaze.
While agriculture remained a steady foundation, Branch’s influence as a regional hub diminished.
The town’s character evolved into a more scattered, rural settlement, with remaining structures standing as evidence to both loss and perseverance.
What Remains Today: A Historical Journey
Nestled within Little River State Park, Branch’s remaining physical traces tell a compelling story of rural Vermont life through the Almeron Goodell Farmhouse – the last standing structure in Ricker Basin.
As you explore this forgotten settlement, you’ll discover Ricker Basin’s ruins scattered throughout the wooded landscape, each stone foundation and weathered remnant holding historical significance from Vermont’s agricultural past. The area’s decline began after devastating floods in 1927 and 1934 forced residents to abandon their homes. Much like the nearby Glastenbury region, erosion and floods contributed to the destruction of vital infrastructure.
- The dilapidated Goodell Farmhouse stands defiantly against time, its moss-covered roof and broken windows a symbol of nature’s reclamation.
- Stone foundations peek through fallen leaves, marking where other farmhouses once stood.
- A repurposed headstone in a firepit wall hints at lost family cemeteries, adding to the site’s mysterious atmosphere.
Today, you’re free to wander these grounds, where hiking trails weave between the ruins of a once-thriving farming community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were There Any Unexplained Disappearances or Supernatural Events Reported in Branch?
You’ll find reports of mysterious sightings near Branch within the Bennington Triangle area, where local legends tell of unexplained voices and vanishings, though specific Branch incidents aren’t well documented.
What Happened to the Machinery and Equipment From the Mill After Closure?
You’ll find the mill’s heavy machinery was recycled through Vermont’s scrap facilities, while smaller equipment was either resold to other factories or dismantled following state’s strict disposal regulations.
Did Any Original Branch Families Maintain Ownership of Property Until Today?
You won’t find any original family legacies continuing through property ownership today – historical records show these families moved away or sold their holdings by the early 20th century.
How Did Branch’s Wool Products Compare to Competitors in Quality and Price?
Powerful production pioneer – you’ll find Branch’s wool quality ranked among the finest, making military uniforms, kerseys, and smooth cassimeres. While exact price comparisons aren’t documented, their diverse offerings served customers across economic levels.
Were There Any Attempts to Establish Different Industries After the Mill Burned?
Though you’d find limited traces of failed ventures in Greenbank’s Hollow, there’s no concrete evidence of significant industrial diversification after the fire beyond the usual small-scale timber and agricultural processing operations.
References
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrQNbrIrNT8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdb-1D_Jc8I
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennington_Triangle
- https://www.vermonter.com/ricker-basin-vermont-ghost-town/
- https://obscurevermont.com/tag/ghost-town/
- https://www.uvm.edu/histpres/HPJ/NR/clfalls/CLFHD.SOS.uvmhp.html
- https://sites.middlebury.edu/walkingmiddlebury/mill-street-and-park-street/
- https://vermonthistory.org/journal/88/VH8801TheOtherMontpelier.pdf
- https://buildingsofnewengland.com/tag/mill-town/
- https://www.montpelier-vt.org/552/History-of-Montpelier
