You’ll find Moretown Common, chartered in 1763, nestled in Vermont’s Mad River Valley. This once-thriving settlement faced devastating change during the Great Flood of 1927, when the Winooski River rose 40-45 feet, destroying bridges and isolating the community. Today, you can explore the ghost town’s remnants within Little River State Park, including abandoned structures, mysterious stone chambers, and the historic Almeran Goodell farmhouse. Strange tales of unexplained footsteps and the legendary Pigman continue to echo through these forgotten ruins.
Key Takeaways
- Moretown Common’s ghost town lies within Little River State Park, featuring the Almeran Goodell farmhouse as its last surviving structure.
- Over 200 mysterious stone chambers with beehive-shaped architecture remain scattered across the abandoned settlement’s landscape.
- The 1927 flood devastated the area, causing massive destruction and contributing to the eventual abandonment of many structures.
- Visitors can explore numerous cellar holes, old cemeteries, and rusted bridge remains along Little River Road.
- Abandoned early-to-mid 19th century homes showcase collapsing floors, weathered interiors, and remnants of residents’ resourceful living arrangements.
Early Settlement and Pioneer Life
While Moretown received its official charter from New Hampshire Governor Benning Wentworth in 1763, significant settlement didn’t begin until after the Revolutionary War.
You’ll find that pioneer hardships shaped the earliest days, as settlers like Ebenezer Haseltine arrived around 1790 to establish homesteads near the Winooski River, also known as the Onion River.
These first families faced the challenges of early agriculture, clearing dense forest to create farmland near water sources. Residents had to travel to Burlington in dugout canoes for milling, maneuvering around dangerous falls in Bolton.
Early settlers battled untamed wilderness, transforming thick forestland into precious farmland as they sought life-sustaining water for their crops.
The development of saw and grist mills along the river helped establish a rural farming and industrial community.
You can still trace their determination through archaeological evidence, including Native American artifacts that suggest complex interactions between settlers and indigenous peoples.
The landscape transformed as log structures rose from the wilderness, and small communities formed around essential resources.
The Great Flood of 1927: A Turning Point
The peaceful development of Moretown Common took a devastating turn in November 1927, when Vermont experienced its deadliest natural disaster.
After an unusually wet October that saturated the soil, more than seven inches of rain fell in just six hours on November 3rd. You’d have witnessed the Winooski River rising 40-45 feet above normal levels, overwhelming all flood controls. The state’s deforestation and soil conditions made the situation especially dire, with dormant vegetation contributing to increased runoff.
The flood’s impact on Moretown Common was catastrophic. Like many Vermont communities, it faced isolation as the floodwaters destroyed bridges and roads, creating a “black triangle” effect that cut off communication. The disaster caused an estimated thirty-five million dollars in total damage across Vermont.
The community’s farms suffered severe damage, with rich topsoil washed away or buried under infertile silt. Despite the widespread destruction that reshaped the landscape, the disaster showcased community resilience as residents worked to rebuild their lives.
Abandoned Structures and Hidden Ruins
Scattered across Moretown Common’s landscape, hundreds of abandoned structures and mysterious stone chambers tell a complex story of settlement and decline.
You’ll find early-to-mid 19th century homes with collapsing floors and weathered interiors, where kitchen cupboards and personal belongings suggest hasty departures. The caved-in flooring makes exploration particularly dangerous for those documenting these historic sites. The abandoned architecture reveals traces of resourceful inhabitants, including stationary bikes once used for generating electricity.
More intriguing are the 200+ stone chambers dotting the terrain – sophisticated subterranean structures with massive stone slabs that defy simple explanation. Many of these chambers demonstrate beehive-shaped architecture carefully crafted by unknown builders. While some suggest they’re colonial root cellars, their mortar-free construction and puzzling inscriptions hint at deeper hidden history.
Ancient stone chambers pierce Moretown’s landscape, their massive slabs and mysterious construction hinting at untold stories beneath the earth.
Institutional ruins like first aid stations and temporary post offices complete the picture, while aggressive vegetation steadily reclaims these silent witnesses to Moretown’s past.
Mysterious Tales and Local Folklore
If you venture into Moretown’s mysterious past, you’ll encounter reports of the “Moretown Whatsit,” where witnesses described hearing inexplicable footsteps in the snow that left no tracks behind a garage.
The infamous Pigman of Devil’s Washbowl terrorized young couples throughout the 1950s-1970s with its high-pitched growls and violent attacks on vehicles. The local manhunts near Northfield High School intensified after multiple sightings in the early 1970s.
These local legends, along with accounts of strange noises and shapeless shadows, have become deeply woven into the fabric of Moretown Common’s folklore, particularly during the long winter months when the isolated forests create an atmosphere ripe for mysterious tales. One resident reported an eerie encounter with a creature having yellow cat eyes perched unusually high on a neighbor’s garage roof, which quickly vanished into the darkness.
Footsteps Without Tracks
Among Moretown’s most unsettling phenomena, mysterious footsteps echo through the abandoned settlement without leaving any physical evidence behind.
You’ll hear steady pacing behind garages and structures, yet when you investigate, you’ll find nothing but silence and emptiness. Even in pristine snow conditions, these unseen entities leave no tracks despite their audible presence.
Local witnesses report eerie sounds of footsteps moving deliberately across icy terrain, particularly at night. Similar to John’s experience at Ricker Mountain, many visitors have spent sleepless nights on alert after hearing unexplained disturbances.
While environmental factors like cold air and acoustic distortion might explain some instances, they don’t account for the shared experiences of small groups who’ve encountered these phenomena simultaneously.
The occurrences align with regional folklore of supernatural presences, adding to Moretown’s mysterious legacy alongside the ruins of its flood-ravaged past and abandoned structures.
The Moretown Whatsit Haunting
Deep within Moretown’s haunted history lies the enigmatic tale of the “Moretown Whatsit,” a phenomenon that has terrified locals since the mid-20th century.
Among Moretown’s mysteries, you’ll discover reports of inexplicable footsteps in the snow that leave no tracks, accompanied by high-pitched snarls and growls that pierce the winter nights. These paranormal encounters often occur in isolated spots across town, where witnesses describe feeling watched by an unseen presence. Early encounters were frequently reported near Duxbury Corners, where the first settlers established their homes.
The Whatsit has become deeply woven into local folklore, with stories passed down through generations since the town’s 1790 settlement.
While some attribute the encounters to natural wildlife or imagination, the consistency of eyewitness accounts, often involving multiple observers and physical evidence nearby, keeps this mystery alive in Vermont’s paranormal legacy.
Pigman’s Washbowl Legend
Nestled between Moretown and Northfield lies Devil’s Washbowl, a rugged natural ravine that birthed one of Vermont’s most enduring paranormal tales – the legend of the Pigman.
Since the 1940s, locals have reported encounters with a white-haired, bipedal creature sporting a pig’s face and clawed hands.
These Pigman sightings often occur near an abandoned pig farm, where witnesses describe the beast rummaging through trash or crossing roads, leaving behind cloven footprints and gnawed bones.
Folklore theories attempt to explain the creature’s origins. Some say it’s a transformed missing teenager who survived by eating animals, while others connect it to Sam Harris, a mysterious local known for peculiar pork-focused family dinners.
The legend’s mystique grew through teen exploration in the 1970s, with Devil’s Washbowl’s eerie geography and isolation amplifying visitors’ fears.
Exploring the Ghost Town Today
Located within Little River State Park, Vermont, Moretown’s ghost town remnants offer visitors a haunting glimpse into the past through its scattered ruins and historical sites.
You’ll discover the town’s ghostly encounters and historical remnants along Little River Road, which leads to various hiking trailheads. During low water levels, you can spot rusted bridge remains from the town’s original entrance, now submerged beneath the reservoir.
- The Almeran Goodell farmhouse stands as the last surviving structure, a silent witness to the town’s bygone era.
- Overgrown cellar holes, old cemeteries, and sawmill remains dot the landscape, especially striking amid autumn foliage.
- When winter blankets the area in snow, visitors report mysterious footsteps near abandoned structures, though no prints appear.
These accessible ruins invite exploration while preserving the haunting atmosphere of this flood-ravaged settlement.
Natural Landscape and Geographic Features
Rising sharply from Vermont’s Mad River Valley, Moretown’s diverse landscape spans 40.2 square miles of mountainous terrain interwoven with an extensive network of streams and brooks.
You’ll find 11 miles of natural features including the Mad River, Welder Brook, and Dowsville Brook cutting through the rugged topography. Dense forest cover dominates the area, with a mix of old-growth and secondary forests creating a wilderness-like environment.
The landscape’s ecological significance is evident in its complex stream corridors, though many have been altered by road construction and development. Vermont Routes 100 and 100B intersect these waterways, limiting natural floodplain access.
While logging roads once crisscrossed the forests, nature has largely reclaimed these paths, returning the land to its wild state.
Historical Legacy in Vermont’s Memory
You’ll find Moretown’s legacy preserved through unbroken town meetings dating back to 1792, when they first gathered at Joseph Hazeltine’s home.
The town’s memories live on through documented histories from scholars like Lydia Goss Billing and Mary Reagan, who captured the evolution from early settlement to modern times.
Through annual traditions like Morefest and sustained historical documentation, you’re witnessing how Moretown’s past continues to shape Vermont’s cultural memory.
Enduring Community Memory Lives
Despite the physical abandonment of Moretown Common, the town’s historical legacy endures through carefully preserved documents, traditions, and community institutions.
You’ll find the town’s 1763 royal charter still intact, detailing the original six-square-mile land grants that shaped Moretown’s early development. The Historical Society, established after the 1985 Town Hall restoration, actively preserves this community identity through careful documentation and public education.
- The restored 1835 Town Hall stands as a symbol of historical preservation, hosting town meetings in an unbroken tradition since its construction.
- Original founding family names like Haseltine, Munson, and Parcher echo through generations of local governance.
- King George III’s charter, with its symbolic annual rent of a single ear of corn, reminds you of the town’s colonial roots.
Lost Stories Find Life
While Moretown Common‘s physical structures have largely vanished, its stories live on through tangible remnants and local folklore.
You’ll find lost legends preserved in the rusted iron bridge that emerges when reservoir waters run low, and in the haunting presence of the Almeran Goodell farmhouse that still stands sentinel over the abandoned landscape.
The forgotten narratives surface in tales of mysterious footsteps without prints and unexplained phenomena that echo through the wilderness that was once a thriving community.
Vermont’s storytelling tradition keeps these accounts alive, weaving together the dramatic impact of the 1927 flood with supernatural elements that now define the ghost town’s legacy.
Through Little River State Park‘s trails, you can trace these stories among the cellar holes and sawmill ruins that dot the transformed landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was the Population of Moretown Common at Its Peak?
You can’t determine Moretown Common’s exact peak population since historical demographic trends only show combined figures for all Moretown, which reached 1,410 residents in 1860, including the Common area.
Are There Any Descendants of Original Moretown Common Families Still Living Nearby?
You’ll find descendants through local descendant interviews and family reunions, as names like Munson, Haseltine, and Parcher continue in the area, though exact numbers aren’t documented in current records.
What Specific Industries or Businesses Operated in Moretown Common?
Mighty mills and merchants made their mark through lumber processing, sawmills along waterways, and general stores serving local needs. You’d have found blacksmiths and wagon makers supporting the farming community too.
Has Any Archaeological Research Been Conducted at the Ghost Town Site?
You won’t find documented archaeological findings from the site, as no formal excavations have been conducted there. While the area holds historical significance, it lacks systematic archaeological investigation or research outputs.
Are There Restrictions on Metal Detecting or Artifact Collection in Moretown Common?
You’ll face a mountain of metal detecting regulations at this site – state and federal laws require permits, restrict digging to 3 inches deep, and artifact preservation policies mandate reporting any historical finds.
References
- https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/six-new-england-ghost-towns/
- https://www.vermontpublic.org/programs/2020-09-04/brave-little-states-3rd-annual-brief-history-of-vermont-road-names
- https://obscurevermont.com/weird-moretown/
- https://urbanpostmortem.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/grave-concerns/
- http://sites.rootsweb.com/~vtwindha/vhg4/0593_moretown.htm
- https://buildingsofnewengland.com/tag/moretown-vermont-town-hall/
- https://www.moretownvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MoretownPlan_Web_Jan-4-2016-SB-Approved_Part2.pdf
- https://www.valleyreporter.com/index.php/news/artsent/17516-take-me-back-religion-in-the-valley-part-3-down-the-rabbit-hole
- https://www.wcvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2000-history.pdf
- https://vermonthistory.org/flood-of-27-1927
