Who says big things can’t happen in a small state? Not us! While Vermont is often calm and peaceful, there are things that happened here that changed life as we know it. Whether they are events or inventions, these huge things happened in little old VT.
- Need a lift?
Flickr/Bjørn Bulthuis The first rope tow for skiers in the United States was installed in Woodstock in 1934 by Bob and Betty Royce, proprietors of the White Cupboard Inn.
- Victory behind bars.
Flickr/Travis Wise In 1798, Matthew Lyon, a Vermont congressman, won re-election while serving time in jail in Vergennes. Lyon was sentenced to four months in 16 ft X 12 ft jail cell, however, he still managed to win the election to the Sixth Congress by nearly doubling the votes of his closest adversary: 4,576 to 2,444.
- An amazing oath.
Flickr/ann-dabney President Calvin Coolidge was sworn into office while home visiting his parents in Plymouth Notch. His father, a notary public, used a family bible to administer the oath of office to his son, swearing him in as President of the United States.
- Not so funny farm.
Flickr/Stanley Zimney The crew for the movie Funny Farm dyed the trees in Townshend to look as if it was mid-autumn which ended up killing every tree except one.
- Battleground.
Flickr/Donnie Nunley Confederate soldiers raided St. Albans, marking the northernmost land action of the Civil War.
- Jungle Book with mountain views.
Facebook/Rudyard Kipling In Dummerston you’ll find Naulakha, also known as the Rudyard Kipling House. It was here that Kipling wrote many books, including the Jungle Book. The best part? You can rent out the whole house nightly!
- Fore!!!
Flickr/Peter Brown The Jungle Book wasn’t the only thing that Rudyard Kipling invented in Dummerston. Snow golf was invented here! The greens are called “whites” and the balls are colored so you can see them.
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
Flickr/Garret Voight Vermont issued the first stamp. Philatelists (people who study and collect stamps) credit Brattleboro with producing America’s first postage stamp in 1846.
- Check, please!
Flickr/Daniel Lobo Ludlow hails the first recipient of a Social Security check. Check number 00-000-001, was issued to Ida May Fuller in the amount of $22.54 and dated January 31, 1940.
For more cool facts, check out these 25 shocking things you had no idea happened in Vermont!
Flickr/Bjørn Bulthuis
The first rope tow for skiers in the United States was installed in Woodstock in 1934 by Bob and Betty Royce, proprietors of the White Cupboard Inn.
Flickr/Travis Wise
In 1798, Matthew Lyon, a Vermont congressman, won re-election while serving time in jail in Vergennes. Lyon was sentenced to four months in 16 ft X 12 ft jail cell, however, he still managed to win the election to the Sixth Congress by nearly doubling the votes of his closest adversary: 4,576 to 2,444.
Flickr/ann-dabney
President Calvin Coolidge was sworn into office while home visiting his parents in Plymouth Notch. His father, a notary public, used a family bible to administer the oath of office to his son, swearing him in as President of the United States.
Flickr/Stanley Zimney
The crew for the movie Funny Farm dyed the trees in Townshend to look as if it was mid-autumn which ended up killing every tree except one.
Flickr/Donnie Nunley
Confederate soldiers raided St. Albans, marking the northernmost land action of the Civil War.
Facebook/Rudyard Kipling
In Dummerston you’ll find Naulakha, also known as the Rudyard Kipling House. It was here that Kipling wrote many books, including the Jungle Book. The best part? You can rent out the whole house nightly!
Flickr/Peter Brown
The Jungle Book wasn’t the only thing that Rudyard Kipling invented in Dummerston. Snow golf was invented here! The greens are called “whites” and the balls are colored so you can see them.
Flickr/Garret Voight
Vermont issued the first stamp. Philatelists (people who study and collect stamps) credit Brattleboro with producing America’s first postage stamp in 1846.
Flickr/Daniel Lobo
Ludlow hails the first recipient of a Social Security check. Check number 00-000-001, was issued to Ida May Fuller in the amount of $22.54 and dated January 31, 1940.
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