You’ll find the ghost town of Dow nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains, where Benjamin Greenbank’s five-story wool mill once produced 700 yards of textiles daily in the 1870s. The Vermont Valley Woolen Company connected mill workers, merchants, and local sheep farms in this thriving mountain community. When the mill operations declined, the town’s single-industry dependency led to its abandonment. Today, you can explore the haunting ruins, including the Almeran Goodell farmhouse, revealing layers of mysterious local history.
Key Takeaways
- Dow’s economic foundation was built around Benjamin Greenbank’s wool mill, which produced 700 yards of textiles daily during its peak.
- The Vermont Valley Woolen Company’s decline led to Dow’s abandonment due to the town’s heavy dependence on the wool industry.
- Remnants of Dow’s past include the Almeran Goodell farmhouse, cellar holes, crumbling foundations, and historic cemeteries.
- The town’s single-industry dependency and lack of economic diversification led to its swift abandonment when the wool industry collapsed.
- Dow’s ruins are located in Vermont’s Bennington Triangle region, an area known for mysterious disappearances and paranormal activity.
The Rise and Fall of a Mountain Community
Nestled in Vermont’s Bennington County, the mountain community of Glastenbury emerged as a bustling hub of industry during the post-Civil War era.
You’d find a thriving economy built on charcoal production and logging railroad operations, with the town’s social dynamics centered around a post office, school, and residential houses.
As the population peaked at 241 residents in 1880, Glastenbury’s cultural significance evolved when it transformed into a trolley-equipped summer resort.
The town cleverly repurposed its old logging facilities to welcome tourists, marking a brief period of reinvention.
However, this prosperity wouldn’t last. By the early 20th century, the depletion of local industries triggered an economic downturn.
Like many boomtowns before it, Glastenbury’s economic vitality withered as its natural resources ran dry in the early 1900s.
Combined with two notorious murders in the 1890s that shook the community’s foundation, these factors set Glastenbury on an irreversible path toward abandonment.
The devastating flood of 1898 destroyed crucial railroad infrastructure, accelerating the town’s decline.
The town’s initial development was delayed due to its rough terrain and unfavorable conditions for agriculture.
Economic Foundations and Local Industries
You’ll find that Dow’s economic heart centered on Benjamin Greenbank’s five-story wooden wool mill, which transformed local sheep farming into a thriving manufacturing enterprise.
By the peak of its operations in the 1870s, the mill was producing 700 yards daily of woolen textiles, demonstrating its significant manufacturing capacity.
Like the town of Greenbanks Hollow, Dow had its own post office, general store, and school at its peak years.
The Vermont Valley Woolen Company created an interconnected web of commerce, linking mill workers, merchants, and surrounding sheep farms into a dynamic local economy.
When the mill’s operations eventually declined, the town’s singular dependence on the woolen industry left it vulnerable, ultimately contributing to its abandonment.
Timber and Mill Operations
While Vermont’s timber industry took root in 1794 with oak shipments to Quebec, Dow’s local mills emerged as crucial economic engines for the region.
You’d have found these early operations primarily serving local needs, with workers wielding axes and basic tools to harvest the abundant forests. The timber trade relied heavily on waterways for transportation, forming massive log rafts that would make their way to bustling ports. Following practices similar to the High Yield Forestry techniques pioneered by major companies, local operations worked to maximize forest productivity.
As mill technology advanced, you’d see the shift from simple water-powered operations to more sophisticated steam-powered facilities. In the 1980s, WTD Industries acquired several struggling sawmills in the region, contributing to local employment.
These improvements transformed Dow’s mills into significant economic hubs, creating jobs and spawning related businesses.
However, by 1840, you’d notice the effects of overharvesting in the Champlain Valley, forcing mills to adapt by importing timber from outside regions.
Local Resource Industry Evolution
Beyond its timber operations, Dow’s economic landscape diversified through several resource-based industries that shaped Vermont’s 19th-century development.
Like many Vermont towns, you’d find a complex web of interconnected resource industries that fueled local growth. Today, many of these areas remain largely forgotten by visitors and locals alike. The eerie atmosphere of these abandoned sites creates a sense of kenopsia in modern explorers.
- Slate quarrying employed immigrant workers in dangerous conditions, particularly in West Castleton, where company towns controlled workers’ daily lives.
- Copper mining near Vershire dominated U.S. production, creating bustling communities like Copperfield until labor unrest and environmental concerns led to closure.
- Coal trade flourished along railroad hubs, while textile manufacturing, exemplified by a prominent 5-story wool factory established in 1849, linked agricultural sheep farming to industrial processing.
Each industry’s rise and fall reflected broader economic shifts, leaving behind both physical remnants and environmental challenges that you can still observe today.
Economic Reasons for Abandonment
The economic collapse of Dow followed a pattern common to many Vermont ghost towns, where dependency on a single industry proved fatal to long-term survival.
You’ll find this same story playing out across Vermont’s abandoned settlements, where towns built their entire economies around one resource or trade route.
When Dow’s primary industry began to decline, the town couldn’t adapt quickly enough to survive. Without a diversified economic base, you couldn’t sustain local employment or trade once the main industry faltered. The town’s significance gradually faded, much like Somerset, England, which underwent similar economic transitions at various points in its history.
The town’s fate mirrored places like Greenbank’s Hollow and Glastenbury, where the loss of a dominant industry – whether wool processing, logging, or rail transport – triggered a swift exodus. Many communities, like those near Vermont’s mineral springs resorts, suffered when health tourism declined.
When market forces shifted and competition grew, Dow’s limited infrastructure and lack of alternative industries left its residents with few options but to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Daily Life in Early Dow Settlement
Living in early Dow, you’d find yourself residing in a modest timber-frame house built from local wood, reflecting the frontier construction methods common to 1800s Vermont settlements.
You’d spend much of your time tending to subsistence farming and preserving food stores to survive the harsh mountain winters, while supplementing your diet with forest fruits and game.
For social interaction, you’d gather with other settlers at the town hall dating back to 1830, which served as the primary venue for community functions and civic meetings.
Pioneer Housing and Construction
Settling into Vermont’s harsh mountain environment, Dow’s pioneer families constructed sturdy log cabins from the area’s abundant timber during the early settlement period.
The pioneer architecture featured hand-hewn logs joined with dovetail or saddle notches, creating weather-resistant walls atop stone foundations quarried from nearby outcrops.
You’ll find these early construction techniques reflected three key priorities:
- Protection from harsh winters through steeply pitched roofs and thick log walls
- Self-sufficiency using local materials like cedar shingles and wooden pegs instead of scarce metal hardware
- Practicality with single-room or one-and-a-half story designs centered around a large hearth
Most homes clustered near clearings, connected by basic trails that followed natural contours.
Nearby brooks powered essential sawmills, while outbuildings like smokehouses and root cellars supported daily life.
Farming and Food Storage
While carving out a living in Vermont’s unforgiving terrain, Dow’s pioneer families relied heavily on subsistence agriculture to sustain their isolated community.
You’d find sustainable practices like crop rotation and diverse plantings of corn, potatoes, and rye adapted to the rocky soil and brief growing season. Livestock including cows, pigs, and chickens provided essential protein and dairy.
You couldn’t simply store food in a refrigerator back then. Instead, you’d preserve your harvest through root cellars, smoking meats, and canning vegetables.
In winter, you’d harvest ice from frozen ponds to help prevent spoilage. The community often worked together during intensive periods like harvest time, with women managing most food preservation while children helped with lighter farm duties.
Community Gatherings and Traditions
Despite their relative isolation, Dow’s early settlers forged strong communal bonds through regular gatherings centered around their local church. You’d find community events happening year-round, from harvest festivals to winter storytelling nights, each reinforcing the town’s shared values and traditions.
The settlers’ commitment to mutual support was evident in their cooperative activities:
- Work bees for barn raising and road maintenance
- Seasonal celebrations featuring music, dancing, and shared meals
- School-based gatherings that brought together multiple generations
You’d often see neighbors helping neighbors through communal childcare and shared resources, while the town’s Select Board meetings doubled as social occasions.
During winter months, indoor activities like quilting bees kept the community spirit alive, while summer brought outdoor picnics and religious services near local landmarks.
Mysterious Tales and Local Legends
Since its earliest days, the Bennington Triangle surrounding Glastenbury Mountain near Dow has earned a reputation as one of Vermont’s most haunted and mysterious regions.
You’ll find a rich tapestry of unexplained events, from the five mysterious disappearances along Long Trail Road and Route 9 in the 1940s-50s to countless paranormal sightings that continue to intrigue visitors.
The area’s most chilling tales include the legendary “man-eating” stone from Native American lore and frequent Bigfoot encounters in the dense wilderness.
UFO sightings, strange lights, and eerie sounds have drawn paranormal investigators to these remote slopes.
Even the historic mining operations contribute to the area’s mystique, with abandoned shafts and tales of “Hell’s Halfacre” haunting the mountain’s legacy.
What Remains: Exploring Dow’s Ruins
Today, scattered throughout the dense Vermont wilderness near Glastenbury Mountain, you’ll find the haunting remnants of Dow’s once-thriving community.
The forest has reclaimed much of the area, but dedicated explorers can still discover traces of the past through Little River State Park’s network of trails.
For those brave enough to venture into these remote locations, you’ll encounter:
- The dilapidated Almeran Goodell farmhouse, standing as a lone sentinel of the former settlement
- Ancient cellar holes and crumbling foundations, marking where homes and businesses once stood
- Historic cemeteries with weathered headstones slowly sinking into the forest floor
Visitor navigation can be challenging due to limited trail markers, and ruin preservation varies greatly depending on natural erosion and water levels.
During low reservoir periods, you might even glimpse the submerged church steeple emerging from the depths.
Historical Legacy in Vermont’s Landscape
While French and English settlers first established roots in Vermont during the 1600s, the region’s true industrial transformation began after achieving statehood in 1791.
Vermont’s colonial roots stretch to the 1600s, but statehood in 1791 marked the beginning of its dramatic industrial evolution.
You’ll find that towns like Dow represent an essential piece of Vermont’s cultural heritage, emerging during an era when logging, mining, and railroad expansion shaped the landscape.
As you explore Vermont’s wilderness today, you’ll discover how these abandoned communities have become integrated into the natural environment.
The environmental impact of industrial activities, from copper mining to charcoal production, left lasting marks on the terrain.
Yet nature has reclaimed many of these sites, with forest growth overtaking old foundations and ruins.
In the Green Mountains’ vast expanse, these ghost towns serve as quiet reminders of Vermont’s dynamic industrial past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Known Photographs of Dow During Its Populated Years?
You won’t find any confirmed historic images from this ghost town’s populated years. While photos might exist in private collections or archives, there’s no publicly documented photographic evidence of Dow’s active period.
What Was the Peak Population of Dow Before Its Decline?
You’ll find that Dow’s demographics reached their highest point in 1880 with 241 residents, matching neighboring Glastenbury’s significance. This peak coincided with thriving charcoal and logging operations before decline began.
Did Any Native Tribes Inhabit the Dow Area Before Settlement?
Like footprints in time, the Missisquoi Indians, a Western Abenaki group, called this area home. You’ll find they inhabited northwestern Vermont’s rich hunting and fishing grounds before colonial settlement.
Were There Any Churches or Schools Established in Dow?
You won’t find clear records of church history or educational facilities in Dow, though similar Vermont ghost towns had basic institutions. Local archives might hold undiscovered details about these community structures.
What Was the Closest Neighboring Town to Dow That Still Exists Today?
You’ll find Bennington stands as the closest surviving neighbor to Dow’s former location, carrying historical significance as the county seat and preserving local folklore from the region’s early industrial period.
References
- https://vermontcountry.com/2023/10/26/the-haunting-of-glastenbury-mountain/
- https://www.vermonter.com/ricker-basin-vermont-ghost-town/
- https://www.thetravel.com/glastenbury-mountain-ghost-town-history-vermont/
- https://happyvermont.com/2014/10/23/glastenbury-ghost-town/
- http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gtusa/history/usa/vt.htm
- https://obscurevermont.com/tag/ghost-story/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Vermont
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrQNbrIrNT8
- https://newenglandwithlove.com/ghost-towns-in-vermont/
- https://vermonthistory.org/journal/misc/Remember_v57.pdf
