If you’re seeking Vermont’s forgotten settlements, you’ll find North Underhill’s ghostly remnants in the shadow of Mount Mansfield. First settled in 1787, this once-thriving community grew to 633 residents by 1820, boasting ten sawmills and a steam-powered starch mill. Today, only the North Underhill Cemetery and scattered architectural ruins remain, marking where Moses Benedict and Abner Eaton first established their homes. The area’s mysterious history and reported paranormal activity beckon curious explorers.
Key Takeaways
- North Underhill transformed from a thriving agricultural settlement into an abandoned hamlet due to economic shifts toward logging industries.
- The area experienced significant population decline as residents moved away during industrialization, similar to Somerset’s abandonment pattern.
- Original structures have largely disappeared, with nature reclaiming most of the settlement except for the North Underhill Cemetery.
- The ghost town’s remnants include Colonel Hay’s 1806 gravestone and fragments of the original Congregational Meetinghouse.
- Local folklore mentions mysterious occurrences in the area, adding to its ghost town reputation and historical intrigue.
Early Settlement and Founding Years (1787-1800)
While Underhill received its charter in 1763, the upheaval of the Revolutionary War delayed settlement until 1787, when pioneers Moses Benedict and Abner Eaton established the first permanent residences in what would become North Underhill.
As early settlers arrived from Connecticut, a small hamlet emerged along what’s now Poker Hill, Bill Cook, and Covey Roads.
You’ll find the first recorded deed belonged to Caleb Sheldon in 1789, whose daughter Nancy became the town’s first newborn in 1787.
Community governance took shape when George Olds hosted town meetings from 1795-1797, later moving to North Underhill until 1832.
Early town leadership emerged under George Olds, who hosted local gatherings before establishing a permanent meeting place in North Underhill.
Colonel Udney Hay, a Revolutionary War veteran, brought significant leadership as legislator from 1798 to 1804, contributing to the settlement’s growing civic structure.
The establishment of the Church of Christ in 1801 marked an important milestone in the spiritual development of the community.
The settlement’s first educational facility, a log school-house, was constructed in North Underhill around 1787.
The Rise of a Rural Community
As North Underhill entered the 19th century, the settlement experienced remarkable population growth, tripling from 212 residents in 1800 to 633 by 1820.
You’d find a diverse mix of settlers from Connecticut, Vermont, and later New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and even overseas arrivals from Ireland, England, and Canada.
The community growth centered around robust agricultural practices, with subsistence farms evolving into prosperous operations.
You’d see fields of wheat, corn, potatoes, and hay stretching across the landscape, while livestock grazed nearby.
The town’s economy diversified with up to ten sawmills operating by 1857, and a steam-powered starch mill built in 1827 marked industrial progress.
Infrastructure improvements, including Poker Hill Road and Creek Road, connected the expanding settlement while supporting trade and commerce throughout the region.
Early settlers like Martin and Simeon Mead were drawn to the area’s rich farmlands, establishing some of the first successful agricultural operations.
From 1794 to 1832, the community gathered for town meetings in North Underhill to discuss and shape local governance.
Geographic Features and Natural Landscape
The dramatic landscape of North Underhill centers on Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak at 4,393 feet, where steep mountain slopes and forested highlands dominate the terrain.
Rising to 4,393 feet, Vermont’s Mount Mansfield towers over North Underhill’s rugged terrain of steep slopes and forested peaks.
You’ll find remarkable landform diversity throughout the area, from rocky ledges and pastoral valleys to dense mixed forests of hardwoods and conifers stretching to the mountaintops. The area resides in the boundaries of Underhill, Vermont, a region known for its pristine wilderness. Like the infamous Bennington Triangle, this rugged terrain has claimed many unprepared hikers over the years.
The watercourse dynamics revolve around Browns River, which begins as a mountain stream and grows as it collects water from multiple brooks – Stevensville, Clay, Harvey, Cranes, and Mill.
While water only comprises 0.10% of the total area, these converging waterways shape the region’s watershed.
The mountainous elevation creates distinct microclimates with cooler temperatures, heavy snowfall, and challenging cross winds, especially at the summits where large stone cairns stand as evidence of human presence.
From Thriving Village to Abandoned Settlement
Settlers first established roots in North Underhill around 1787, following the Revolutionary War’s conclusion.
You’ll find that early settlement patterns centered around Caleb Sheldon’s land deed and Colonel Udney Hay’s contributions, with the community quickly establishing religious and social institutions by 1801. Similar to the historic town of Somerset, North Underhill developed its own unique cultural identity.
The village thrived initially through livestock farming and agriculture, with the 1840 census showing impressive numbers: 174 horses, 1089 cattle, and various other livestock.
However, dramatic economic shifts occurred as nearby logging operations and sawmills gained prominence. The rise of industrial-scale lumber processing in places like Stevensville drew workers away from North Underhill’s agricultural economy.
As transportation routes changed and property consolidated around logging interests, the once-bustling hamlet gradually lost its population to more industrialized towns. Like Somerset, which reached its peak of 321 residents in the 1880s, North Underhill experienced a similar population decline due to the shifting economic landscape.
Historical Landmarks and Remnants Today
Today, North Underhill’s most prominent historical landmark stands along Poker Hill Road: the North Underhill Cemetery, established in the early 1800s with gravestones dating back to the late 1700s.
You’ll find Colonel Hay’s 1806 gravestone among the weathered markers, while stone steps from the original Congregational Meetinghouse remain integrated into the cemetery wall.
Like many local folklore locations throughout New England, visitors often report mysterious occurrences and unexplained phenomena.
The architectural remnants you can explore are limited. Similar to Greenbanks Hollow, nature has reclaimed much of the original settlement.
After an 1837 windstorm toppled the meetinghouse steeple, salvaged materials were used to build another church that eventually burned down.
Beyond the cemetery’s stone walls and scattered foundation stones, few traces of the original village survive.
Cemetery preservation efforts, led by local citizens since 1911, have maintained this rare municipal property as an essential link to North Underhill’s settlement era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Paranormal Activities Reported in North Underhill’s Abandoned Buildings?
Like whispers in empty halls, you’ll find scattered reports of ghost sightings and unsettling experiences in abandoned buildings, though local legends remain largely anecdotal without substantial documented evidence.
What Happened to the Original Families Who Settled in North Underhill?
You’ll find some settler descendants remained in the area, while others relocated southward as economic focus shifted. Family legacies lived on through civic roles, churches, and community institutions.
Can Visitors Legally Explore the Remaining Structures in North Underhill?
Without permission, you can’t legally access abandoned structures. You must obtain property owner consent, follow ghost town regulations, and respect visitor safety protocols to explore any remaining buildings.
Were There Any Notable Crimes or Mysteries in North Underhill?
You won’t find any documented historical crimes or unsolved mysteries specific to the settlement. Historical records focus entirely on peaceful community development, land transactions, and agricultural activities.
Does Anyone Still Maintain the Historic North Burying Ground Cemetery?
You’ll find dedicated volunteers from the North Underhill Cemetery Association maintaining this historic site, carrying out cemetery maintenance like mowing and repairs while preserving relocated gravestones from the original North Burying Ground.
References
- https://northunderhillcemetery.com
- https://obscurevermont.com/tag/ghost-town/
- https://jeffbelanger.com/new-england-legends-the-mystery-of-glastenbury-mountain-vermont/
- https://www.uvm.edu/~hp206/2010/Underhill/history.html
- https://www.uvm.edu/femc/attachments/project/999/reports/1995032.pdf
- https://vermonthistory.org/journal/misc/UnderhillMeetinghouses.pdf
- https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vtwindha/vhg1/0886_underhill.htm
- https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vermont/ChittendenUnderhill.html
- https://underhillhistoricalsociety.org/2023/11/15/one-room-schoolhouses-1787-1953-districts-no-1-15/
- https://www.uvm.edu/~hag/personal/portfolio/hst296a/greenberg-underhill-community-study.pdf
