You’ll discover Tice’s remnants within Little River State Park, where this abandoned Vermont lumber settlement thrived in the late 1800s. Water-powered sawmills and railroad connections once drove its bustling economy until depleted timber resources triggered its decline. The catastrophic flood of 1927 dealt the final blow, destroying bridges and infrastructure. Today, you can explore cellar holes, mill foundations, and the preserved Almeran Goodell farmhouse – each site holding untold stories of Vermont’s industrial past.
Key Takeaways
- Tice originated in the late 1800s as a lumber town but was abandoned after economic decline and depletion of timber resources.
- The devastating flood of 1927 destroyed essential infrastructure, marking Tice’s final decline as bridges, roads, and rail lines washed away.
- Visible ruins include cemeteries, cellar holes, and sawmill remnants, now preserved under Little River State Park’s stewardship.
- The Almeran Goodell farmhouse remains as one of the few preserved structures from Tice’s original settlement.
- Visitors can explore historical remnants through marked trails, though artifact removal is prohibited to preserve archaeological resources.
The Lost Settlement of Tice
While Tice, Vermont thrived as a bustling logging and mining settlement in the late 1800s, its transformation into a ghost town began with its formal dis. Much like the nearby town of Glastenbury which had eight current residents, the area experienced a dramatic population decline. The area would later become part of the mysterious Bennington Triangle that gained notoriety for unexplained disappearances.
Historical Origins and Early Development
You’ll find Tice’s origins closely tied to its early lumber operations, which emerged as pioneers cleared the dense Vermont forests and established basic water-powered sawmills along nearby streams.
The arrival of railroad construction crews in the late 1800s briefly energized the settlement, creating temporary jobs and improving access to larger markets for timber products. Like the town of New Boston, the settlement’s economic hardships eventually led to its abandonment.
The railroad’s eventual bypass of Tice, combined with depleted timber resources, accelerated the settlement’s decline as residents sought opportunities elsewhere. The area’s rugged landscapes with boulders and dark forests remain as silent witnesses to its past.
Early Lumber Mill Operations
As Vermont’s timber industry flourished in the late 1700s and early 1800s, Tice emerged as a significant lumber processing center with its first mills established in the mid-to-late 19th century.
Early lumber technology centered on water-powered mechanisms, with overshot water wheels driving the sawmills’ operations. You’d have found these mills strategically positioned along waterways, essential for both power generation and log transportation. The mills operated solely on natural water flow until steam engines appeared in the 1820s. By 1840, the region was part of a booming industry that saw over 31,000 sawmills operating across the United States.
The introduction of sawmill innovations like the circular saw around 1840 revolutionized lumber production, replacing slower up-and-down saws.
When railroads arrived in the 1840s, you could ship lumber to broader markets more efficiently than ever before. The mills adapted to changing times, eventually incorporating turbines for improved power generation and expanding their reach through Lake Champlain’s crucial shipping routes.
Railroad Development and Decline
The expansion of Vermont’s lumber industry in the mid-1800s created a pressing need for efficient transportation, leading to the establishment of the Vermont Central Railroad.
You’ll find that railroad evolution in Vermont was heavily influenced by powerful business interests, particularly Charles Paine, who steered the main route through Northfield instead of the state capital of Montpelier.
Construction progressed rapidly from 1845 to 1849, but operational challenges emerged from the start. The railway’s twisted layout along the Dog River created inefficient routes, while the decision to relegate Montpelier to a mere branch line limited the capital’s economic potential. The Grand Trunk Railway took control of the financially troubled railroad in 1898, marking a significant ownership change.
The north-south rail connections suffered further setbacks when the Rutland Railway, Vermont’s primary western corridor, faced devastating labor disputes in the 1950s and 1960s, leading to service disruptions that forever changed the region’s transportation landscape. The passenger service ended completely after a major strike in 1953.
Economic Rise and Industrial Heritage
During the 1800s, West Castleton’s thriving slate industry transformed this small Vermont settlement into a bustling industrial hub, encompassing 600 acres of quarries, infrastructure, and worker housing.
The economic impact was significant, with Vermont ranking second only to Pennsylvania in slate production. Similar to Greenbank’s Mill in Green Banks Hollow, these industrial operations were central to their local economies. You’ll find evidence of this industrial heritage in the extensive infrastructure that supported the operation, including two sawmills, a railroad, and 43 company houses. The slate’s unique purple and green colors made West Castleton’s quarries particularly valuable.
The industry’s success came at a human cost, though. Irish Catholic immigrants worked grueling 10-hour days for less than $2, living in company-controlled housing and relying on the company store for supplies.
The inefficient extraction process, which wasted over 85% of quarried slate, coupled with dangerous working conditions, exemplified the harsh realities of 19th-century industrial life.
The Path to Abandonment
While West Castleton’s industrial prowess seemed unshakeable, a series of devastating events in the late 1890s marked its path toward abandonment.
Two murders in 1892 and 1897 sparked the town’s dark reputation, but the fatal blow came when flooding destroyed the railroad in 1898, severing crucial transportation links.
Without economic diversification beyond logging and mining, the town couldn’t sustain itself. The brief attempt to reinvent as a summer resort failed, and by 1937, the population had dwindled so severely that Vermont officially disincorporated the area.
The ghost town’s remaining structures fell victim to nature’s reclamation, with only scattered foundations and the Ricker Cemetery surviving as evidence of human habitation.
Dense forest and harsh mountain conditions have since consumed most traces of civilization, leaving the area largely uninhabited.
Mysterious Events and Local Legends
Long after Tice’s abandonment, mysterious events and unexplained phenomena began shaping the town’s sinister reputation.
You’ll find reports of strange lights, eerie sounds, and unidentifiable odors permeating the dense forests, while local hauntings gained credibility through numerous firsthand accounts.
Two shocking murders in nearby Glastenbury during the 1890s, including the chilling Alice Meaker case, only intensified the area’s dark mystique.
The gruesome Glastenbury murders of the 1890s cast long shadows, with Alice Meaker’s death haunting local memory for generations.
The surrounding wilderness played its own role in fueling these legends.
You’ll discover stories of experienced guides like Middie Rivers vanishing without a trace, and college student Paula Weldon’s mysterious disappearance on the Long Trail.
The labyrinthine forests continue disorienting visitors, while tales of monstrous creatures and unexplained phenomena persist, making Tice’s abandoned grounds a reflection of Vermont’s most enduring mysteries.
Natural Disasters and Infrastructure Loss
A catastrophic flood in 1927 marked the beginning of Tice’s final decline, destroying essential infrastructure that had kept the remote community connected to neighboring towns. The flood impact was devastating, washing away bridges, roads, and rail lines that served as Tice’s lifelines for trade and transportation.
In the aftermath, dam construction for flood control submerged significant portions of the town’s farmland and remaining buildings. You can still spot the ruins of iron bridges and mill foundations during periods of low water.
The infrastructure decay accelerated as logging operations shut down, leaving behind abandoned sawmills and unused rail spurs. Without reliable transportation links or industrial facilities, residents had no choice but to relocate to more accessible communities, leaving Tice to fade into Vermont’s landscape.
Preservation and Historical Documentation
Today, preservation efforts for Tice’s remains fall under Little River State Park‘s stewardship, offering a blend of natural conservation and historical documentation.
You’ll find visible ruins including cemeteries, cellar holes, and sawmill remnants along historic trails, with the deteriorating Almeran Goodell farmhouse standing as a rare preserved structure.
Archaeological challenges include natural weathering and water damage from the river damming, while limited funding restricts extensive excavation projects.
Still, community engagement thrives through guided tours, trail markers, and historical signage. Research combines archaeological surveys, oral histories, and archival records like deeds and census data.
The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation partners with local historical societies to maintain site integrity, while federal and state tax credits incentivize preservation of remaining structures.
Legacy in Vermont’s Ghost Town Network
You’ll find Tice’s historical significance amplified through its connection to Vermont’s network of ghost town hiking trails, which link abandoned communities across the state’s rugged terrain.
While less notorious than Glastenbury’s mysterious legacy, Tice’s story lives on through local preservation efforts and oral histories that document its role in Vermont’s rural development.
The town’s remaining traces serve as waypoints for modern adventurers, allowing you to piece together Vermont’s industrial past while exploring its wilderness present.
Historic Trail Connections
While many of Vermont’s ghost towns have faded into obscurity, their historic trail connections remain as essential links to the state’s industrial and cultural heritage.
You’ll find these pathways following old logging roads and transport routes that once served thriving communities like Tice. Through careful trail maintenance and historical preservation efforts, you can now explore remnants of sawmills, cellar holes, and abandoned town roads that tell the story of Vermont’s resource-based industries.
These trails often trace the same routes used by early settlers and workers, connecting to former railroad lines and riverside trading posts. The devastating flood of 1927 left its mark on many of these paths, where you’ll discover ruined bridges and washed-out roads that chronicle the towns’ eventual abandonment.
Preservation Through Storytelling
Through carefully preserved narratives and oral histories, the legacy of Tice and other Vermont ghost towns lives on in a rich tapestry of community storytelling initiatives.
You’ll discover how storytelling techniques connect physical ruins with documented history, while community engagement programs guarantee these valuable narratives continue to educate and inspire future generations.
- Trail guides and interpretive signs weave detailed stories of Tice’s industrial past and daily life
- Local historians collaborate with archaeologists to validate and enrich the site’s historical narrative
- Digital platforms and social media expand preservation awareness beyond Vermont’s borders
- Guided tours and volunteer projects foster hands-on connections to Tice’s heritage
These preservation efforts help safeguard not just the physical remains but also the cultural significance of Tice within Vermont’s broader ghost town network.
Exploring Tice: Present-Day Remnants
Today’s visitors to Tice can explore an intriguing array of structural remnants scattered throughout Vermont’s reclaimed wilderness.
You’ll find stone foundations of former homes and outbuildings partially hidden beneath thick moss and ferns, while ancient stone walls that once marked property lines still cut through the mature forest.
When exploring these sites, you’ll need to rely on historical maps and forest service information, as most access requires hiking along old roadbeds or unofficial trails.
For proper site preservation, stick to surface exploration techniques, as the area contains valuable archaeological resources.
You might spot old mill equipment, pottery shards, or glass fragments, but remember that removing artifacts isn’t permitted.
The surrounding hardwoods and conifers have reclaimed most cleared areas, creating a mysterious backdrop for your ghost town adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Surviving Descendants of Tice’s Original Inhabitants Still in Vermont?
You’ll find no conclusively documented Tice descendants in Vermont today, though oral histories suggest some families dispersed locally, making it possible that unidentified Vermont heritage connections still exist nearby.
What Specific Native American Tribes Inhabited the Tice Area Before Settlement?
Along the pristine shores of Lake Champlain, you’ll find the Western Abenaki people, specifically the Missisquoi tribe, were the primary inhabitants. They hunted, fished, and maintained seasonal settlements in this resource-rich region.
Was Tice Ever Connected to the Underground Railroad During Slavery?
While you’ll find Underground Railroad activity throughout Vermont, there’s no documented historical evidence linking Tice specifically to these freedom routes. Tice’s role in this important history remains unconfirmed.
Did Any Famous Historical Figures Ever Visit or Stay in Tice?
You won’t find any records of famous visitors or historical figures staying in this remote area. The extreme isolation and wilderness conditions historically prevented notable personalities from making documented appearances.
Were There Any Documented Gold or Silver Discoveries Near Tice?
You’ll find Vermont’s gold rush and mining history reached nearby Bridgewater and Plymouth, with documented gold veins like the Taggart Vein in 1851, though no specific discoveries were recorded in Tice itself.
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://www.vermonter.com/ricker-basin-vermont-ghost-town/
- http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gtusa/history/usa/vt.htm
- https://obscurevermont.com/weird-chittenden/
- https://obscurevermont.com/curious-wallingford/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqmJZZX3H68
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScW-H7A8yL8
- http://larrycoffin.blogspot.com/2013/
