USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Hartford > Pictorial history of the town of Hartford, Vermont, 1761-1963 > Part 11
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Houses across the highway from the river did not escape un- harmed. Porches were undermined, barns collapsed, and some of the houses were damaged beyond repair. One of the residences completely ruined by the flood was the home of V. W. Wilkinson and Guy A. Place.
Reading in the news that West Hartford had lost its library a group of citizens in Hartford, Connecticut, organized a fund rais- ing campaign to furnish the stricken village with another library. A committee was organized by them and contacted authorities in Hartford, Vermont, to arrange for such a gift. Several citizens were selected to represent this town and operated officially under the title of "The Hartford to Hartford Committee."
The land formerly occupied by the damaged residence of Wil- kinson and Place was selected as the ideal location for the new library. Arrangements were soon made and Wilkinson and Place deeded the land to the Hartford to Hartford Committee on Novem- ber 24, 1928.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
The library was built shortly afterwards and a marker was placed beside the building on which this message is inscribed :
MEMORIAL LIBRARY Given by The People of Hartford, Conn. after the Flood November 1927
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION POST OFFICE
The village of White River Junction did not exist as a separate community until the railroads were built in 1849. Under Zachary Taylor's administration Col. Samuel Nutt, a Democrat, received the appointment as the first postmaster in the village in 1850. The post office was kept in Col. Nutt's home. This residence was orig- inally located near the railroad crossing on South Main street. To be more centrally located, Col. Nutt had the residence moved to a lot next to the Junction House on Main street. Shortly after this move the first railroad depot was erected and the post office facili- ties were transferred to this building. In 1854 Col. Nutt sold the Junction House, which he owned, together with his residence, and other property to Isaac B. Culver of Jersey City, New Jersey. Col. Nutt lived at his farm on Nutt meadow and still conducted the post office activities in the railroad station. In 1859 Luther Grover, another Democrat, received the appointment and succeeded Col. Nutt as postmaster.
When the administration changed in 1861, George Lyman, a Republican, became postmaster. The depot burned in 1862 but all the papers and equipment belonging to the post office were saved. A new depot was erected shortly afterwards and the post office was assigned space in the new building.
Meanwhile the old Col. Nutt residence changed hands again when Isaac B. Culver sold the home to George Gates in 1866.
George Lyman, the postmaster, died while still holding the office and Miss Louise Lyman was acting postmistress from July 11, 1879 until September 1, 1879. At this time Noah B. Safford received the appointment.
Mr. Safford died in 1886 and Herbert L. Dutton became acting postmaster. While Herbert Dutton was a postal clerk he issued the
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
POST OFFICE BUILDING IN WHITE RIVER
first postal note ever made out in the Town of Hartford. The date of this transaction was Monday, September 2, 1883.
While Noah B. Safford was postmaster the depot was torn down and the post office was given a place in a shed outside of the depot. The post office was conducted in this shed for ten years. Sanford H. Potter succeeded Noah B. Safford as postmaster taking office on April 31st, 1886.
In 1890 Mae Gates had the old Gates' residence moved to the vacant lot adjacent to the Methodist Church and built the Gates' Block now in the central part of the village. The post office was then moved into this new building. In the Gates' Block the post office occupied office space at the end of the building next to the Junction House.
At the time of the move Alexander Davis was postmaster. He held this office from 1890 until 1894. Charles A. Fitzpatrick was the next postmaster, serving from 1894 until 1898.
David A. Perrin then held the office for sixteen years, serving from 1898 until 1914. The postmaster who followed Mr. Perrin was Maurice J. Walsh.
Roscoe Wilmot, for many years the Town Treasurer, held the
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
office of postmaster for five months in 1921. The appointment then went to Carl W. Cameron, who held the office through March of 1935. Mr. Cameron was succeeded by Daniel P. Healey who retired in 1950, Charles A. O'Brien served until 1956 and Ernest B. Car- penter became acting postmaster until August 1958 when Harold B. Wright, the present postmaster, received the appointment.
Mr. Wright, the present postmaster, is a direct descendant of Maj. David Wright, one of Hartford's early inhabitants. Maj. Wright and his wife, Hannah, first settled in Hartford in 1771.
Carrier service started in White River Junction in 1917 and William Ahern was one of the first carriers. After his retirement Mr. Ahern served the town as Selectman, an office to which he was elected in 1939 and reelected in 1942. He died June 15, 1943 while still in office.
The old Col. Nutt residence which was sold to George Gates and later moved by Mae Gates to the lot next to the Methodist Church was eventually sold to Miller Automobile Company. This building, White River Junction's first post office, has been remodelled and is now used by the Miller Automobile Company to house its parts department.
The present brick post office, directly opposite the hotel, was erected in 1934.
The oldest established post office in the Township was in White River Village (Hartford). The initial postmaster's appointment was received by Joseph Dorr in 1806. The following is a list of the postmasters serving the village and the term served by each :
Joseph Dorr
1806-1821
Derrick Stebbins
1821-1824
Andrew Tracy
1824-1827
Phineas Kimball
1827-1832
Oramel H. Nichols
1832-1841
Moses French
1841-1847
Oramel H. Nichols
1847-1850
Justin Brooks
1850-1875
Willis S. Brooks
1875-1881
Allen L. Pease
1881-1884
Nellie L. Brooks
1884-1915
William F. Braley
1915-1933
Mildred A. Dailey
1933-1960
Catherine Gibbs, acting
1960-1961
Catherine A. Dailey
1961-
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
KINGDOM HALL
KINGDOM HALL OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
The local congregation of the Jehovah's Witnesses met at the residence of Alfred Blake on the North Hartland road for the first time in 1934.
Seven years later, in 1941, the Claremont, New Hampshire, South Royalton, Springfield, and White River Junction, Vermont, con- gregations were formed from this group.
The White River congregation met after this reorganization in the Pease's Block in Hartford, Vermont.
The church on the North Hartland road was built on land pur- chased from Winsor Brown in 1961. With the exception of the foundation and chimney the entire building was built by members of the congregation.
The presiding minister, at the present time, is Mr. Norman Beauchene of Hanover, New Hampshire. Mr. Beauchene has served as pastor of the White River Junction congregation for the past seventeen years.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
UNION STREET AFTER HURRICANE
THE HURRICANE
On Wednesday, September 28, 1938, communities in this area suffered many thousands of dollars damage from a hurricane. Trees were uprooted in all the villages striking dwellings and cutting power and telephone lines.
The hurricane struck White River Junction and the immediate vicinity shortly after six o'clock in the evening. Ripping through the village streets the high winds toppled trees blocking the roads in all directions. Barnes Avenue, Gates Street, and Union Street were a mass of fallen timber.
The fire department responded to a fire near Teddy's Diner and another near the Texaco plant which were caused by broken power lines.
Much concern was caused by the rising water of the White River and people living on the river banks moved out during the evening. However, water got into only a few cellars, the crest remaining seven feet below the flood of 1927.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
The Lyric theatre billboard was blown over and several doors were broken in the Gates' Block and the Hotel Coolidge. The chim- neys on the Coolidge Garage and those on Cross-Abbott Company toppled over before the force of the gale.
In Hartford village electric service was off for two nights. There were fallen trees in many sections of the village.
Wilder lost many of its fine shade trees and several buildings were damaged.
Fire alarm circuits were broken all over town.
The village recovered quickly from this experience. Most of the services returned to normal by Sunday.
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CENTER
In 1935, in order to provide better care for the Veterans of Vermont and New Hampshire, the Veterans Administration made known its desire for a centralized site where a hospital might be erected to serve the two states. Several villages offered sites but the superior railroad and bus service made available to the Govern- ment by White River Junction influenced the Government's decision in favor of this village.
On December 2, 1935, a special town meeting was called at which time an appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars was approved to purchase land, the location to be selected by the Government.
A 176-acre site was purchased containing lands belonging to five owners. Forty-three acres were secured from Mrs. Mira Shirley, 94 acres from Arthur Southwick, 20-25 acres from Green Mountain Studios, Inc., 10 acres from Alfred E. Watson, and 6 acres from Albert E. and Clarence L. Wood. The deeds were presented to the Government on June 25, 1936.
On April 6, 1937 the building contract was awarded to the Vir- ginia Engineering Company, Newport News, Virginia. Work started shortly afterwards, and the hospital, boiler plant and water tank were completed in September of 1938. The hospital was dedicated on October 16, 1938, and the first patient was admitted the following day.
A garage, warehouse, and a wing containing two wards was completed in 1939. Continuing the building program, a local con- tractor, Trumbull-Nelson Company, built a nurses' home and
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL BUILDING
attendant's quarters the same year. Quarters for the manager were built in 1942.
Following World War II twenty-six quonset huts were erected to provide space for the expanding veterans program. Thirteen of these huts were removed in 1958 after the completion of a new administration building.
By Act of Congress, approved March 29, 1956, 53.6 of the orig- inal 176 acres were returned to the Town of Hartford by a deed dated April 24, 1957.
Mr. George B. Kolk, first manager of the Center, retired in August of 1944 because of failing health. Col. L. C. Chapman was appointed manager and filled that position for one year. In 1945, Mr. Charles L. Jacobs assumed the manager's duties and the Center has operated under his direction for the past eighteen years.
From October 17, 1938 through December 31, 1962, a total of 68,626 patients have received treatment at this hospital.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
ROLL OF HONOR REVOLUTIONARY WAR
The following named soldiers, who served in the war of the Revolution, are buried in the cemeteries of Hartford :
Luther Bartholomew
Christian Street Cemetery
Samuel Bailey
Hartford Cemetery
Nathan Cobb
Hartford Cemetery
Joseph Fenno
Centerville Cemetery
Phineas Russ
Russtown Cemetery
Stephen Tilden
Centre of Town Cemetery
Elihu Woodward
Centre of Town Cemetery
Elijah Kibbie
Junction Cemetery
Roger Huntington
Russtown Cemetery
William Champlin
Quechee Cemetery
WAR OF 1812
List of Soldiers of the war of 1812, buried in Hartford:
Shelden Bartholomew
Christian Street Cemetery
Philip Sprague
Christian Street Cemetery
John Freeman
Hartford Cemetery
Ulysses Johnson
Russtown Cemetery
Solomon Lombard
Quechee Cemetery
James Tracy Josiah Tilden
Centre of Town Cemetery
Centre of Town Cemetery
Stephen Tilden
Centre of Town Cemetery
George Washburn
Junction Cemetery
Elijah Kibbie, 2nd
Junction Cemetery
Roger Huntington*
Russtown Cemetery
Alvah Ryder
Centre of Town Cemetery
Solomon Hazen
Christian Street Cemetery Christian Street Cemetery
*Who also served in the War of the Revolution.
MEXICAN WAR
In the War with Mexico:
Myron T. Strong Centre of Town Cemetery
WAR OF THE REBELLION
List of those who served in the War of the Rebellion:
William H. Allard, Co. C, 6th Vt.
Henry C. Alexander, 1st Vt. Battery
Albert L. Bartholomew, Co. F, 3rd Vt. George F. Bemis, Co. F, 3rd Vt. Elmer Bragg, 9th New Hampshire Vols. Franklin Boyd, Co. F, 3rd Vt.
Hartford Street Cemetery Quechee Cemetery
Christian Street Cemetery Buried on the Field Quechee Cemetery Buried on the Field
173
Seth Fuller*
HISTORY OF HARTFORD
George B. Brockway, Co. H, 16th Vt. John Cuthbert, Co. F, 3rd Vt. Charles C. Davis, Co. H, 11th Vt. William H. Downer, Co. F, 3rd Vt. Horace Dutton, Co. H, 11th Vt. Harry Durphy, Co. C, 6th Vt. Arthur M. French, Co. H, 11th Vt. Frank Gallagher, Co. F, 3rd Vt. Henry L. Jones, Co. C, 6th Vt. Thomas S. Hodson, Co. F, 3rd Vt. George Kibbie, Co. F, 3rd Vt. Edward Lyman, Co. F, 1st U.S.S. Frank Morrill, Co. F, 3rd Vt. Albourn Nash, Co. F, 52nd Mass. Robert Orr, Co. F, 3rd Vt. Edward Richards, Co. F, 3rd Vt.
Leonard Rowland, Co. F, 3rd Vt.
Lucian A. Ryder, Co. F, 3rd Vt.
George H. Tambling, Co. G, 4th Vt.
Lorenzo C. Thurston, Co. H, 16th Vt.
James W. Thomas
Nelson Whitcomb, Co. F, 3rd Vt.
Willis Whitcomb, Co. F, 3rd Vt.
John Greenwood, Co. H, 11th Vt.
Edward Nash, 1st U.S.S.
Engeddie B. Udall Mahlon M. Young, Capt. 7th Vt.
Harvey Bartholomew, Co. B, 4th Vt.
William Hazen, Co. G, 16th Vt. Henry O. Washburn, Co. C, 6th Vt. Benjamin Howe, Capt. 5th New Hampshire Patrick Kavanaugh
Benjamin F. Eaton, Asst. Surg .- N.H.
Thomas Moran, 17th U.S. Inf.
Jasper H. Savage, Co. G, 16th Vt.
Hartford Cemetery Buried on the Field Hartford Cemetery Buried on the Field Hartford Cemetery Quechee Cemetery Hartford Cemetery Buried on the Field Quechee Cemetery Buried on the Field Buried on the Field Hartford Cemetery Buried on the Field Hartford Cemetery Buried on the Field Hartford Cemetery Buried on the Field Buried on the Field West Hartford Cemetery Hartford Cemetery Quechee Cemetery West Hartford Cemetery Buried on the Field Hartford Cemetery Buried on the Field Buried on the Field Buried on the Field West Hartford Cemetery West Hartford Cemetery Hartford Cemetery Hartford Cemetery Catholic Cemetery
Meriden Cemetery Hartford Cemetery Christian Street Cemetery
The list of the honored dead of the Town of Hartford and their place of burial was included in the program issued at the time of the dedication of the Soldiers Monument on Memorial Day, May 30th, 1893. This monument, erected by the Loyal Club, was originally placed at the highest point in the Hartford Cemetery. Recently the monument has been moved to the west end of the upper level in the cemetery.
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DEDICATED TO ALL VETERANS OF THE TOWN OF HARTFORD WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN ALL WARS
MEMORIAL AND HONOR ROLL ON GROUNDS OF MUNICIPAL BUILDING
A HONOR
ROLL 1918
9 WORLD WAR
HARTFORD VT.
LAFELLE. $. S
MAKER TIMOTHY
OBRIENWM J.
SAMUELS.FRED E.
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MECOWAN POCER
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PERRY STEPHEN K. PHELPS COMIN H.
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MCCOWEK.WH.F. MCKNICHT, S. L.
OCONNOR. JANE'S
PIERCE ALLEK Ç
JARCENTS.E
LAPAX, SEMUEL
MCMILLAN JOHN S
ONEILL.B.J.
PITKIN, ALLEN W.
SHATTUCK. CHAS. .. SMITH CFORCE W
LAYELL, CEO. D.
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O'NEILL, VINCENTT.
POPE, HENRY
WERINCER. H.B.
LECLAIR.S.P LEDOUX.W. J
UNEILL. W. J.
POWERS, WILLIS & PRESTON.C.R.
STACEY, JAMES X
LEONARD, FRED A. LIBBY CARL K
MILLER. WM. K.
STAPLES JAMES C WATERMAN. W.L.
MOCK. CARL J MOCK.L.L.
STEVENS.A.L WATKINS FRANK &
LITTLEFIELD. C.K.
MOORE ALFRED E.
STRAX LEOK E
WELSH THOMAS
LUCE, BURTON H.
MORRISON WM K
LUCE, WM. X
MUNSELL R. W
WHITE BERNARD J
MURPHY CHAS C
REEYE.ELLIS
WHILE HEROLD B
WHITE LEON
TAYLOR,KARL WRITE. THOMAS H
MALONEY. T.F.
THOMAS.K.M.
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MARLEY FRANK A. KAPSEY ARTHUR J MANN, WH. O NEWTON CYRUS 3
THOMAS WH. F.
MAXX EDWARD W
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TOWNSEND, HAR
WOOD. JOHN L
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PEASE. HOWARD E. PEAVEY, JAMES + PECOR, JOSEPH PERKINS.C.S. PERKINS, E. A. PERKINS.S. T. R. PERRY, HAROLD
DOPINYON. CARL E COLLINS, & A. RCMAXO. AM.KY RYAN. CHAS. E. STAN. M. C.
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LYMAX. ELIAS C. LYMAN, DEWEY
PALM. ALLEX K PARKER. A. J. PARKHURST, CM PATTERSON. C
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TAYLOR ROBERT C. WRITE, ENNEST
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STANLEY, H.P.
WKESTER FAUL B
RAMSDELL CE REED.FRANK H
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
On Memorial Day, May 30, 1963, special exercises were held on the lawn of the Municipal Building dedicating the new memorial honoring the veterans of all wars.
In 1898 when this country was involved in the war with Spain, Hartford furnished fifteen enlistments.
Honor Roll SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898
Beaudett, Fred W.
Hartford
Beaudett, Joseph F.
Hartford
Brown, Arthur E.
West Hartford
Coutermarsh, Henry W.
Hartford
Gienty, Daniel H.
White River Junction
Hodette, Joseph
White River Junction
Hough, George H.
White River Junction
LaPorte, Nelson J.
White River Junction
Oldenburg, John F.
Hartford
Roberts, Frank I.
Hartford
St. John, William
White River Junction
Sears, John J.
Wilder
Starr, William F.
White River Junction
Stone, John C.
White River Junction
Sullivan, Daniel P.
White River Junction
The honor roll of veterans of World War I standing on the grounds of the Municipal Building contains a total of 284 names. Of this total seven died in action or of disease while in the service.
Records from the Adjutant General's Office, State Veteran's Board, Montpelier, Vermont, indicates that Hartford furnished 745 enlisted men in World War II. This list is incomplete, containing only those who applied for Vermont State pay or bonus. This list does not include Commissioned Officers. There were twenty-four casualties.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
PORTION OF GREEN MOUNTAIN BOX AND LUMBER COMPANY
THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOX AND LUMBER COMPANY
The Green Mountain Box and Lumber Company was started by Frank M. Gilman in Tunbridge, Vermont, in 1941. Mr. Gilman moved the business to White River Junction in 1943, locating on land at the south end of the village between the Boston & Maine railroad yards and the Connecticut River. This site was at one time occupied by a box plant.
The buildings of the Green Mountain Box and Lumber Company were completely destroyed by fire Sunday, June 10, 1951. The fire, which started in the boiler room, mushroomed so rapidly as to threaten the south portion of the village. Local firemen, assisted by neighboring fire departments, managed to contain the blaze.
Construction of a new plant was commenced before the embers were cooled. The present plant is continually being modernized to keep abreast of technical improvements. The growth of the com- pany has been constant. Sales and purchases are made throughout the nation. At the present time, this firm is one of the largest manu- facturers and wholesale distributors of lumber and building sup- plies in the Northeast.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
GREEN MOUNTAIN STUDIO FIRE
GREEN MOUNTAIN STUDIO FIRE
At 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 21, 1946, a fire of undeter- mined origin completely gutted the building of The Green Mountain Studios, Inc., causing damage estimated at $40,000.
Firemen, under the direction of Chief Fred A. Hutchinson, battled the stubborn blaze for two and one-half hours before bringing it under control. Valuable wood-working equipment was saved by Richard G. Miller, son of the owner, who entered the blazing building at considerable risk and also closed a fireproof door preventing the flames from reaching lacquer and other inflam- mable material of a highly explosive nature.
The following day, after the fire had been extinguished, firemen with wrecking bars tore down the charred walls of the building.
Herbert Miller, owner of the firm, did not rebuild but moved the business to an adjacent building where operation was resumed within a month. Later a low, flat-top storage building was built on the foundation of the old studio.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
WALT'S RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
RUINS OF TEDDY'S HOTEL
TEDDY'S HOTEL FIRE
Shortly after eleven o'clock on the night of March 6, 1949 the White River Junction fire department was called to fight a fire which completely gutted Teddy's Hotel on Main street. This hotel contained several business establishments and forty hotel rooms.
The building was erected in the 1880's and had been known at various times as the Smith-Bagley Block, The Waverly House, The American House, The Adams House, and Teddy's Hotel.
Immediately after World War II the entire second floor of the building was occupied by offices of the Veterans Administration. This space had been vacated by the Government a short time before the fire.
Businesses occupying space in the building at the time were a music store called The Record Album, Larry's Fruit Store, Fern's Barber Shop, and Teddy's Grill.
Shortly after the fire the ruins were cleared and a one-story building erected. The hotel business was abandoned and the new building is at present occupied by a restaurant and several business concerns.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
BIBLE INSTITUTE
THE BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH AND BIBLE INSTITUTE OF NEW ENGLAND
In 1956 a Bible class was started in the home of Fred Terino on Hazen street in White River Junction. The group who attended the class decided to form a church and rented the Gates' Library hall for its services. This group organized and incorporated as the Bible Baptist Church.
On February 18, 1958, shortly after his death, the beautiful home of Attorney Roland E. Stevens was sold by the estate to the Bible Baptist Church to be used as a place of worship and a par- sonage. This home was built by Ephraim Morris owner of the Hartford Woolen Company and became the property of Mr. Morris" daughter, Annie (Morris) Stevens, wife of Attorney Stevens.
At the time of the purchase of the Stevens' property the North- eastern Gospel Crusade voted into existence the Bible Institute of New England, a school for training Christian workers for the min- istry. The school operated the first year as an evening school with. a full curriculum and seven full-time students. (The present enroll-
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
ment is twenty-seven.) Students have come from Arizona, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and all the New England States.
The former fish hatchery buildings on the North Danville road in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, were purchased by the Northeastern Gospel Crusade, Inc., in October of 1962, and will be converted into a Bible Institute. The new institute is scheduled to be opened in September of 1963. The institute in Hartford will be closed. The church plans to conduct services in some other location in the Township. Tentatively, the Institute plans to sell the local buildings.
"OLD 494"
Hartford's Memorial Engine, "Old 494" was built in 1892. Al- though the engine made its last run in 1938, events that brought it to its eventual resting place in White River Junction started in 1933. Early that year a Club was formed in Boston whose principal
ENGINE AND CABOOSE ON MUNICIPAL GROUNDS
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
interest was railroading. News of the existence of the Club soon spread and membership increased rapidly. In 1935 the club was incorporated as "The Railroad Enthusiasts". Three years later The Railroad Enthusiasts obtained possession of "Old 494" and imme- diately groomed it for exhibition at the New York World's Fair of 1939. After the Fair the old engine was retired and stored at the Fitchburg and Lowell Yards.
Owning an engine presented quite a problem and in 1954 the Club decided to search for a permanent home for the old engine. They wanted to put it where it would have some significance. A United Press story telling of "Old 494" and the search for a home went out over the wires and appeared in the local paper "The Valley News." There were several requests for the engine but the Hartford Chamber of Commerce had moved first and at the annual meeting of "The Railroad Enthusiasts" in 1954 the Club voted to give the engine to White River Junction. At the Hartford Town Meeting of 1955 the people of Hartford approved of the project and in September of 1956 the engine arrived at the Boston & Maine Railroad Yards in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, where it was stored for the winter.
On April 29, 1957, the track was arranged and the old engine was moved to its location near the Municipal Building. Dedication exercises were held on July 27, 1957. The Hartford Historical So- ciety in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce also secured a caboose to add to the engine. This was in the process of being painted and renovated at the time of the dedication and was added to the engine a short time afterwards.
"Old 494" has become a big attraction. White River Junction owes its existence to the railroads and "Old 494" is a permanent symbol of the industry that created the village.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
PLANNING COMMISSION-TOWN OF HARTFORD
A Planning Commission was authorized by vote of the townspeople at the 1955 annual town meeting. On March 15 of that year the Selectmen announced the appointment of the members of the Commission as follows:
Henry F. Black, Chairman Marcus J. Pippin Frank Gilman J. Henry Beauregard
Regulations concerning a planning commission specify that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen or some other town official shall be one of the mem- bers of the group during his term of office. On the first commission Cyril Ryan, one of the Selectmen, acted in this capacity.
As an initial step a "Planning Program Outline-For the Town of Hartford, Vermont" was secured from the Northeast Planning Associates of Charlotte, Vermont.
To operate a planning program successfully it was necessary that the plan- ning commission obtain a "comprehensive plan". An appropriation of $12,000 for this purpose was approved by the voters at the town meeting of 1956. During the same year an application for State and/or Federal funds to match Town funds was submitted as part of the program. It was the under- standing at that time that not more than $4,000 was to be raised and spent in any one calendar year and any funds not expended prior to April 1, 1960, was to revert to the Town's general fund.
In May, 1957, the commission was advised that federal funds had been allocated for a matching program. It was not until August of that year that information was received to the effect that funds had actually been made available. Planning firms were then consulted and the firm of A. Carl Stelling Associates of West Hartford, Connecticut, was selected. The contract provided for the preparation of base maps of the town and the populated areas; for regional studies of surrounding towns; for traffic, land use, populations and economic studies; and particularly for the preparation of a comprehensive plan relative to possible zoning and sub-division regulations and other require- ments of a well-rounded planning program.
During the summer of 1958 a Zoning Commission was appointed with John Brockway, local attorney, as chairman. This group met at regular intervals with the Town Planning Commission for detailed study, modifications, and recommendations for the zoning regulations as prepared by the Consultants.
Judge Henry Black resigned as Chairman of the Planning Commission in December of 1958 and Frank M. Gilman was appointed to succeed him.
At a special meeting in July of 1959 the Planning Commission reviewed and accepted the completed work and plans of the Consultants. At another special meeting in December of that year the subject of an Urban Renewal Program for the Town of Hartford was discussed.
Three items were drafted and presented to the voters at the town meeting of 1960 for their consideration :
1. The acceptance of the comprehensive plan for the Town of Hartford.
2. The employment of a professional firm to make an application to the Federal Urban Renewal Agency for a study of the business section of the village of White River Junction for an Urban Renewal Program.
3. The presentation and acceptance of the zoning regulations.
All the above items were approved and an Urban Renewal Program was put into operation.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
Following the recommendations of the planning consultants, Fire Districts Number 1 and Number 2 were merged. The Dewey's Mills area was converted into a picnic and recreation area through the efforts of the Vermont Water Resources Board.
In January of 1961 Frank M. Gilman resigned as chairman and also as a member of the commission. Robert Blanchard, another member, was then appointed chairman and Raymond Dancoes was selected as the fourth member.
Many items have been brought before the planning commission for considera- tion such as modifications and changes to zoning regulations, plans for im- provements in the school system, and recommendations for highway changes.
The commission was actively responsible for securing the approval of a new post office for the area.
It is the aim of the commission to correct the towns present-day problems and to prevent their reoccurrence; to meet, by sound planning and prepara- tion, the changing needs of the near future; and, adhering to a comprehensive program of improvement, prepare for the anticipated needs of more distant days.
Serving on the Planning Commission at the present time are:
Rodney Akers, Chairman Francis Drown Raymond Dancoes John Rogenski
Byron Hathorn, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, is the Town official working with the group.
In July, 1963, the Planning Commission contracted the services of Hans Klunder Associates of Hanover, New Hampshire, to update the Town Com- prehensive Plan to 1963.
URBAN RENEWAL
The Federal Government first became interested in slum clearance and urban renewal as early as 1892 when Congress appropriated $20,000 for investigat- ing slum conditions in cities with a population of over 200,000.
Interest in living conditions was renewed in 1937 when Congress passed the United States Housing Act. This act assisted cities to build low-rent housing for low-income families.
The Housing Act of 1949 authorized the Federal Government to help cities remove slums and rebuild in accordance with sound planning. The program has been amended and broadened extensively since that date. It now offers communities an opportunity to clear blight areas, repair and modernize existing areas, and install necessary public improvements.
Realizing the need for the White River Central Business District to correct its present blight and crowded condition, the Town of Hartford decided to participate in the program. It organized the local Urban Renewal Agency on July 5, 1960, to provide a program to renew the Central Business District. The local Commissioners appointed by the Selectmen were:
Laurence F. Chase, Chairman Andre Rocheleau, Vice-Chairman Charles Powden, Secretary-Clerk Charles Fellows Everett H. Chase
184
HISTORY OF HARTFORD
Mr. John W. Brockway, local attorney, is Legal Council. The Executive Director for the agency is Albert A. Schaal of Quechee, Vermont.
A survey and planning application was submitted on October 15, 1961. This culminated in a contract with the United States Government on August 14, 1962, and on September 24 of that year General Neighborhood Renewal Plan Application Funds were received. The local office at 21 Gates street was opened October 15, 1962.
First priority in the renewal plan is the Gates Park Renewal Project. The survey and planning program for this area is expected to start September 1, 1963. The program will cover a period of approximately twelve months, after which the finished plan will be presented to the voters for their approval.
The new interstate highways, 89 and 91, which will cross within the town- ship gives Hartford a rare opportunity for future development. The citizens concerned with urban renewal and town planning predict a bright future for this area.
These enthusiastic individuals are building an attractive, progressive area which will interest visitors, invite trade, and promote the economic, civic, and personal welfare of every citizen in the township.
1960 CENSUS
Hartford
1,687
White River Junction
2,546
Wilder
1,322
Quechee
500
West Hartford
300
Township
6,355
185
HISTORY OF HARTFORD
6
9
9
LAYTON
NOV
G
Mapped edited and published by the Geological Survey
Content tp VSGS en UScaGs Original Data
---------
------- ---------
West Hartford
F
F
Wilder
RIVER
.......
ROAD CLASSIFICATION
AREA 24,050 ACRES 38 83 sq.miles
RIVER
S
E
E
Hartford
NHL
West Yabanin
0
-. WHITE RIVER
0
White LORD
LAT. 43' 38' 85º N LONG 72' ' 14* *
White River,
U
0
SHOWING
Quechee
Proposed locations of
Interstate Highways
89 ond (91
-00
8
R D
HARTLE
RIVER
H
OTTAL'QUECHEE
TVEK
ND RESKA VOIR ***
Dom
CHARTERED 1761
HARTLANE
THE TOWN OF HARTFORD VERMONT
COPYRIGHT 1963 by
ALBERT A. SCHAAL , QUECHEE, VERMONT
EDITION JUNE 1965 Right Printing Co., White River, Vt.
5
6
Reproduced by permission in Book "A Pictorial History of the Town of Hartford, Vt. by John ST CROIX 1963
186
1960 Population 6355
VERMONT VEN MANTSMI
POMFRETT
RESERVOIR
SCALE - Ons Inch equals approximately 12 miles
A
NOTEN
le Hortlong
CONTOUR WATERVAL 20 FEET
WOODSTOCK
3
4
10
NORWICH
3
-----
-----
-
ULEBANON
ITE
HARTLAND
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