Berkshire, Vermont, New England USA
About Berkshire, Vermont
Franklin County
Chartered: June 22, 1781 (Vermont Charter)
Area: 26,841 Acres = 41.94 Square Miles [ Size Rank: 98* ]
Coordinates (Geographic Center): N 44° 58′ W 72°46′
Altitude: 750 feet ASL
Population (US Census, 2010): 1,692 [ Population Rank: 115* ]
Population Density (persons per square mile): 40.3 [ Density Rank: 126* ]
Full Census Info: Town County State
*Area, Population and Density rankings refer to Berkshire’s relative position among Vermont’s 255 civic entities (9 cities, 242 towns, 4 gores and grants). Complete rankings are here.
Berkshire was one of six towns (the others being Enosburgh, Montgomery, Richford, Wyllis [now Jay] and Westfield) authorized by the legislature in the spring of 1780. Vermont was desperately looking for ways to raise money to supply her troops (the Continental Congress was disinclined to help) and the grant fees paid by those seeking land was a simple source of funds.
The petition requesting the charter flowed with admiration: “Whereas we have long been Spectators of the Struggles you have had in establishing and defending a New State on our Frontiers and being convinced of the Justice of your Cause as well as captivated with your Magnanimity and Heroism…”
How could the legislature refuse? The first man named in both the petition and the subsequent charter was William Goodrich of Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Massachussetts, a Captain in the militia which had marched to Lexington in 1775. Commissioned as a Major in 1777, his brigade was part of the Berkshire Company which helped win the Battle of Bennington. Many of the other grantees were his neighbors and most fought under him at Bennington. It is for their Massachusetts home that Berkshire is named.
Activities & Points of Interest
Goings-on in and near Berkshire
Calendar of Events provided by the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing.
Misissquoi Valley Rail Trail
A 26-mile all-season recreation path which largely parallels Route 105 and the Missisquoi River between Richford and St. Albans. The packed gravel surface is suitable for walking or biking (wide tires are recommended) and XC skiing in winter. Closed to motorized vehicles except in winter. Easy access to refreshments at several points. As of the Fall of 2002, the trail is complete for its entire length, with the replacement of the collapsed segment of the former rail bridge at Sheldon Junction.
Contact Info
Emergency Services (Statewide): 911
Hospital: Northwestern Medical Center (St. Albans) 802-524-5911
Town Clerk: Virginia Messier 4454 Watertower Road Enosburg , VT 05450
802-933-2335
M T 8-5; W Th 8-4
Churches, Ministries, Charitables
Assemblies of God : Lighthouse AG (East Berkshire) 802-848-7722
Roman Catholic : Our Lady of Lourdes (East Berkshire)
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”).
Quebec, Canada
Berkshire
Businesses & Services
Rocheleau Appraisal
Fast Friendly Service for Northwestern Vermont
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).
Cable Comcast 800-266-2278
Electric Vermont Electric Co-op 800-832-2667
Telephone Fairpoint 866-984-2001
