You’ll find Summit nestled in Vermont’s rugged Bennington Triangle, where a once-bustling 19th-century logging town now stands abandoned. At its peak, Summit thrived on charcoal production and timber extraction, with essential infrastructure including a post office, homes, and a railway system. By 1937, economic decline led to its disincorporation, leaving behind only weathered foundations and railroad remnants. The mountain’s mysteries and unexplained disappearances have only deepened the intrigue surrounding this forgotten settlement.
Key Takeaways
- Summit thrived as a logging and charcoal production town in Vermont before economic decline led to its abandonment and ghost town status.
- The town’s population dramatically decreased when young families moved west for better opportunities, leading to deterioration of local services.
- Workers lived in basic huts near charcoal kilns, operating on 10-12 day cycles under harsh conditions and constant soot exposure.
- Modern visitors can explore remnants including home foundations, post office ruins, and abandoned railroad infrastructure within dense forest terrain.
- The area is now part of U.S. National Forest Service land, with difficult access paths and wilderness challenges for explorers.
The Rise and Fall of a Mountain Community
As Vermont’s mountain communities expanded in the post-Civil War era, Glastenbury emerged as a bustling settlement that peaked at 241 residents in 1880.
You’ll find the community dynamics were initially shaped by a thriving charcoal production industry and a logging railroad that fueled the town’s growth. The settlement boasted essential infrastructure including a post office, houses, and a school that served its industrious population.
When the logging industry declined, the town reinvented itself as a summer resort complete with a trolley system and casino. Today, only eight current residents remain in the remote mountain town. The area would later become part of what writer Joseph Citro dubbed the Bennington Triangle in 1992.
However, this brief period of economic sustainability ended when devastating floods destroyed the railroad in 1898. Following two notorious murders in the 1890s and lacking viable industries, the population dwindled until the state was forced to disincorporate Glastenbury in 1937.
Tales From the Bennington Triangle
The decline of Glastenbury marked the beginning of an even darker chapter in the region’s history.
Between 1945 and 1950, you’ll find a chilling series of unexplained vanishings that would come to define the area known as the Bennington Triangle. The disappearance patterns tell an unsettling tale: five people, from an experienced hunting guide to an eight-year-old boy, vanished without a trace within a 93-square kilometer area.
Local legends grew as each search ended in failure. You’re entering territory where even bloodhounds couldn’t maintain their tracking abilities, and where victims seemed to disappear into thin air while performing ordinary activities. The mysterious case of Paula Welden inspired Shirley Jackson’s novel Hangsaman. Two of the victims, Paula Welden and Paul Jepson, were noted for wearing bright red coats.
Author Joseph A. Citro brought these mysteries to light, cementing the Triangle’s reputation alongside other notorious zones like the Bridgewater and Bermuda triangles.
Lost in the Vermont Wilderness
Situated deep within Vermont’s unforgiving mountain terrain, Summit stands as a haunting reminder of nature’s dominance over human settlement.
You’ll find yourself surrounded by dense forests and steep slopes that have challenged travelers for generations, creating wilderness challenges that persist to this day.
The ghost town narratives of Summit echo through time, warning of the perils that await unprepared visitors.
You’re likely to encounter the same obstacles that forced early settlers to abandon their homes – thick woodland that disorients, flooding that destroys infrastructure, and an isolation that can overwhelm the senses.
Like the winding dirt road connecting Ghost Hollow, the paths here barely accommodate modern vehicles.
Local tales of unexplained disappearances and strange phenomena serve as stark reminders that Vermont’s wilderness demands respect.
Even now, Summit’s remote location continues to test the limits of human adaptation against nature’s raw power.
The U.S. National Forest Service now oversees this vast wilderness, preserving its untamed character for future generations.
Life Among the Charcoal Kilns
You’d have found a bustling scene among Summit’s charcoal kilns, where skilled workers managed 10-12 day burning cycles while living in nearby camps arranged around the production sites.
The demanding work required teams of four men to load and unload each kiln, carefully managing vents through the burning process to achieve the high-quality charcoal needed for iron furnaces.
Your daily routine as a charcoal worker would’ve involved intensive physical labor under hazardous conditions, especially during the critical firing phases when proper smoke color indicated successful conversion from wood to charcoal. Quality charcoal had to meet strict standards, producing material that was jet black and sonorous to be deemed suitable for smelting operations.
Daily Life Near Kilns
Life among the charcoal kilns of Summit, Vermont centered around an intense 10-12 day production cycle that shaped the community’s daily routines.
You’d find a bustling workforce managing the delicate charcoal production process, starting with white smoke from drying wood and progressing to the critical blue smoke phase during intense charring.
In this frontier environment, you’d encounter various specialists – from woodcutters to blacksmiths – working in a rough-and-tumble settlement near South Glastenbury.
The labor dynamics reflected the demanding nature of kiln work, where four workers could unload an entire kiln in just one day. The area once contained twelve brick kilns that supported the local charcoal industry.
During winter, operations would slow as freezing conditions limited ironworks production, creating a seasonal rhythm to life.
The community’s existence revolved around timber extraction and charcoal making, fostering a rugged independence among its workers.
Kiln Worker Living Conditions
Operating in treacherous conditions, kiln workers endured stark living arrangements that reflected the harsh realities of charcoal production.
You’d find these laborers living in basic huts near the kilns, constantly exposed to workplace hazards like smoke, soot, and the ever-present risk of fire. The remote locations of these temporary settlements meant you couldn’t easily access supplies or services from nearby towns.
- Your shelter offered minimal protection from harsh weather and the constant shower of black dust
- You’d share cramped quarters with fellow workers in camp-like communal settings
- You couldn’t escape the smoke even during rest periods due to proximity to the kilns
- Your living conditions were directly tied to the burn cycles, requiring you to remain on-site for extended periods
Operating The Burning Mounds
Beyond the dismal living conditions, the actual work of running charcoal kilns demanded precision and constant vigilance. You’d find yourself overseeing massive operations, with a single site running up to 21 kilns producing 1,700 bushels weekly.
Each mound required careful construction – whether you’re working with the older earth-and-wood style measuring 40 feet across, or the newer brick kilns that took 40,000 bricks to build.
You couldn’t slack off during charcoal production. The work kept you moving between multiple kilns, coordinating with dozens of woodchoppers and teamsters hauling logs up mountain paths.
Most challenging was maintaining production through seasonal changes, though winter freezes often forced a shutdown. Your success depended on strategic placement near wood sources while still enabling transport of the finished charcoal to distant ironworks.
Mysteries of Glastenbury Mountain
Deep within Vermont’s wilderness, Glastenbury Mountain harbors some of New England’s most perplexing mysteries. At 3,747 feet tall and spanning 36 square miles of dense forest, this remote area has become infamous for mysterious disappearances and supernatural folklore. The mountain can be accessed via Harbor Road in Bennington.
Today, hikers can climb to the 57-foot fire tower for panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. You’ll find the mountain at the heart of the “Bennington Triangle,” where Paula Jean Welden and others vanished without a trace in the 1940s.
- The disappearances were so concerning that they led to the formation of the Vermont State Police
- Local legends speak of man-eating boulders and portals to other dimensions
- Ghost towns like Fayville and Glastenbury add to the mountain’s eerie reputation
- The rugged terrain and thick forests make it easy to lose your way, contributing to the area’s mystique
A Town Erased by Time
You’ll find Summit’s dramatic population decline mirrored the fate of many Vermont mountain towns, as the collapse of logging and mining industries drove residents to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The town’s physical remnants now lie scattered beneath thick forest growth, with only sporadic foundation stones and artifacts marking what was once a bustling settlement.
These weathered ruins tell the story of a community that vanished into Vermont’s wilderness, leaving behind mere traces of its 19th-century peak.
Population’s Dramatic Decline
While Vermont’s population decline affected many communities throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Summit’s story stands as a particularly stark example of a town erased by time.
The town’s dramatic population migration mirrored broader patterns across Vermont, where economic decline drove residents, especially young people, to seek opportunities elsewhere.
- By the 1820s, you’d have witnessed the first wave of departures, with over 75% of emigrants being under age 30.
- Young families abandoned their homesteads for promising prospects in western territories.
- The loss of working-age residents created a downward spiral, making it harder to maintain local services.
- Like many small Vermont towns, Summit couldn’t sustain itself as its population aged and natural decrease took hold, with deaths outpacing births.
Remnants Tell Lost Tales
Today’s visitors to Summit can discover scattered remnants of the once-thriving community hidden beneath thick forest growth. As you explore this Vermont ghost town, you’ll find foundations of old homes, a weathered post office, and fragments of flood-damaged railroad tracks that once connected Summit to civilization.
For urban exploration enthusiasts, the ruins around Fayville offer compelling glimpses into Summit’s past. You’ll need to watch your step, though – the dense woods that have reclaimed the town can disorient even experienced hikers.
The abandoned railroad infrastructure stands as a silent witness to Summit’s brief golden age as a logging and resort destination. While nature steadily erases these marks of human habitation, each crumbling foundation tells a story of ambitious dreams cut short by economic decline and natural disasters.
Echoes of the Logging Era
Thunderous axes and crosscut saws once echoed through Vermont’s pristine forests as the logging industry transformed the state’s landscape and economy.
You’ll find remnants of logging practices that shaped Summit’s destiny in the mid-1800s, when timber outpaced farming as the economic powerhouse.
Before modern forest conservation, the town’s prosperity rode the wave of unsustainable clearcutting that eventually led to its downfall.
- Loggers used primitive tools like axes, bow saws, and the innovative peavey to fell massive trees.
- Winter operations relied on horse-drawn sleds to transport logs to waterways and mills.
- Burlington’s port flourished, becoming America’s third-largest lumber hub by the 1840s.
- Deforestation triggered environmental chaos: soil erosion, flooding, and wildlife habitat loss.
Wandering Through the Ruins
The crumbling remains of Summit’s past now lie scattered across Vermont’s rugged mountainside, nearly swallowed by dense forest and thick undergrowth.
As you’re exploring ruins, you’ll discover stone walls and foundations that once supported bustling woolen mills and industrial buildings, now reduced to weathered remnants by devastating fires and time.
You’ll need to navigate carefully through the challenging terrain, where even locals sometimes lose their bearings.
The haunting atmosphere intensifies as you encounter scattered fragments of the town’s history – bridge remnants, post office ruins, and old smelter remains.
Weathered stone and shattered bricks whisper stories of Summit’s ghostly past through abandoned ruins scattered across the mountainside.
Nature’s steady reclamation of these sites creates an eerie backdrop, especially knowing the area’s connection to mysterious disappearances in the 1940s and ’50s.
What’s left of Summit serves as a silent reminder of Vermont’s industrial past.
Legends and Local Lore
Deep within Vermont’s rugged wilderness, Summit’s legends paint a vivid tapestry of Native American rituals, lost silver mines, and unexplained phenomena.
You’ll find yourself immersed in local folklore that spans centuries, from the mysterious “Devils’ Alter” where indigenous shamans performed ceremonies to tales of lost silver deposits that drew ambitious miners to “Hell’s Halfacre.”
The supernatural elements of the Bennington Triangle have left an indelible mark on the region’s identity.
- Ancient warnings from Native Americans about the mountain’s mystical powers still echo through time
- Countless treasure hunters have searched the abandoned mine shafts for legendary silver deposits
- Strange lights, unexplainable sounds, and cryptid sightings continue to intrigue visitors
- The blending of indigenous beliefs and settler experiences creates a unique cultural tapestry
The Mountain’s Untold Stories
Nestled high in Vermont’s mountainous terrain, Summit’s untold history reveals a complex tapestry of industrial ambition and human struggle.
You’ll find echoes of a once-thriving community that peaked at 241 residents, sustained by bustling charcoal and logging operations in the post-Civil War era.
Beyond the hidden history of failed enterprises lies a darker folklore.
Past the crumbling ruins and lost fortunes, sinister tales and whispered legends haunt the mountain’s shadowy depths.
Two murders in the 1890s cast long shadows over the mountain, while indigenous legends speak of a mysterious “human eating rock.”
You’re walking through layers of unexplained phenomena – strange lights pierce the dense forest canopy, unfamiliar sounds echo through abandoned railroad beds, and peculiar odors drift through decaying ruins.
The mountain’s untold folklore continues to intrigue, even as nature slowly reclaims what humanity left behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Far Is Summit From Glastenbury’s Original Town Center?
You’ll find the distance measurement between these historically significant locations isn’t precisely documented, but based on regional topographic data, they’re likely separated by somewhere between 2-10 miles through mountainous terrain.
Were Any Children Reported Missing in Summit During Its Active Years?
While over 241 people once called the area home, you won’t find specific records of children among the missing persons cases. Local legends speak of disappearances, but documented evidence focuses on adult vanishings.
What Was the Average Winter Temperature in Summit During Its Peak?
You’ll find winter climate records showing temperatures typically ranged from 5°F to 20°F (-15°C to -6.5°C), with temperature records indicating nighttime lows dropped below zero and daytime highs staying near freezing.
Did Summit Have Its Own Church or Cemetery?
In a million small towns, church history remains mysterious. While you’d expect a church and burial sites existed in Summit, there’s no concrete evidence – just typical patterns of Vermont’s early settlements.
How Many Original Summit Buildings Remain Standing Today?
You’ll find virtually no original architecture standing today, reflecting the lost historical significance of this settlement. Only foundations and cellar holes remain where buildings once proudly stood.
References
- https://vermontcountry.com/2023/10/26/the-haunting-of-glastenbury-mountain/
- https://www.thetravel.com/glastenbury-mountain-ghost-town-history-vermont/
- https://happyvermont.com/2014/10/23/glastenbury-ghost-town/
- https://obscurevermont.com/ghost-hollow/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Vermont
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennington_Triangle
- https://explorersweb.com/exploration-mysteries-bennington-disappearances/
- https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2023/10/12/the-bennington-disappearances-vermonts-very-own-bermuda-triangle/
- https://vermontdailychronicle.com/secrets-of-the-bennington-triangle/
- https://www.vermontpublic.org/podcast/brave-little-state/2025-03-06/the-bennington-triangle-how-5-mysterious-disappearances-developed-a-cult-following-online
