Burke, Vermont, New England USA
About Burke, Vermont
Caledonia County
Chartered: February 26, 1782 (Vermont Charter)
Area: 21,661 Acres = 33.85 Square Miles [ Size Rank: 184* ]
Coordinates (Geographic Center): N 44° 35′ W 71°55′
Altitude: 900 feet ASL
Population (US Census, 2010): 1,753 [ Population Rank: 103* ]
Population Density (persons per square mile): 51.8 [ Density Rank: 94* ]
Full Census Info: Town County State
*Area, Population and Density rankings refer to Burke’s relative position among Vermont’s 255 civic entities (9 cities, 242 towns, 4 gores and grants). Complete rankings are here.
Writing for Hemenway’s Gazetteer, the Reverend Thomas Goodwillie gave incorrect explanations for the origins of several town names, Burke among them. The Reverend said Dr. Jonathan Arnold named the town for his son, Burke Arnold. Nothing could have been further from the truth: Dr. Arnold did receive charters for several towns in the area, but not for Burke, nor did he have a son by that name. There is a certain sound of logic to the statement, however, because Dr. Arnold did name Lyndon town for his son Josiah Lyndon, and Billymead (now Sutton) for another son, William, with the result that many subsequent histories have picked up the Burke story and repeated it.
While it cannot be proved, it is thought that the town really was named for Edmund Burke (1729-97) the great British statesman and orator, who was one of the foremost proponents of liberal treatment for the American colonies, and whose ideas on the subject were set forth in American Taxation and Conciliation with America. At the time the town was chartered, Edmund Burke had just helped to force Lord North’s resignation as prime minister because of his colonial policies and conduct of the war. It is possible that Vermont wanted to honor Burke’s support of the colonies.
Activities & Points of Interest
Goings-on in and near Burke
Calendar of Events provided by the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing.
Contact Info
Emergency Services (Statewide): 911
Hospital: Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (St. Johnsbury) 802-748-8141
Town Clerk: Priscilla Aldrich 212 School St West Burke, VT 05871
802-467-3717
M-F 8-4
Churches, Ministries, Charitables
United Church of Christ : United Church of Christ
United Methodist : West Burke UMC (West Burke) 802-467-3466
Schools
Caledonia North Supervisory Union 802-626-6100
Burke Town School 802-467-3385
Neighboring Towns
This is a basic geographic reference, intended to show relative location of adjacent towns. Directional accuracy is limited to 16 compass points. There isn’t even the slightest suggestion that one can necessarily travel directly from one town to the next (as in “You can’t get there from here”).
Burke
Utilities
Notes about utilities:
- One electric or phone company indicates that company serves the entire town. More than one of either indicates each serves different areas of town.
- A listed cable company MIGHT mean the entire town is covered, but not necessarily. More than one listed indicates each serves different areas of town.
- Unless your area is one served by Vermont’s only gas utility, your only option is bottled gas (any dealer).
Electric Lyndonville Electric Dept. 802-626-3366
Telephone Fairpoint 866-984-2001
