Eight Generations of Rutland's History
18th Century Rutland (1770 - 1800)
 The
Township of Rutland was chartered in 1761 by Governor Benning Wentworth
of New Hampshire. The first name in the list of proprietors was
that of John Murray of Rutland, Massachusetts, who most probably
gave Rutland it's name. During the Revolution Murray was a Loyalist.
During a raid on Murray's home, a Patriot soldier put his sword
through the head in the portrait. The dark hole in the upper left
of the head is the result.
None of these proprietors ever settled in Rutland. Rather they sold
their rights to others such as James Mead who came to Rutland in
1769, built a house and returned with his family in 1770 to become
the first permanent settler. (continued)
The Quiet Years (1801-1830)
As the Revolutionary generation passed, a new generation of merchants,
craftsmen, lawyers and farmers replaced it. As a political change
from Federalism to Democratic-Republicanism occurred nationally,
so too there was a local change.
 The
west side of North Main Street was the locale for the first Episcopal
Church in Rutland and numerous stores and shops. These stores and
shops boosted a cash retail economy that would inevitably generate
a demand for banking services.
 In
1824 a Bank of Rutland was chartered as the fourth bank in Vermont.
In 1825 a building was erected on the south side of the town common
to house the bank. The Bank of Rutland's money became commonplace
in the community. (continued)
Marble and Railroads (1831-1860)
 Marble
quarrying on a large scale began in the late 1830s and in the 1840s.
In 1851 a Rutland artist, James Hope, painted at least three versions
of the West Rutland quarry of Sheldons, Morgan and Slason. This
quarry was one of the oldest, largest and most productive of the
Rutland marble quarries.
In the 1850s Rutland became the railroad center of Vermont. The
Rutland Railroad station, machine shop, round house and other facilities
were located to the west of the town center. Lines ran north and
south and west and southeast. The railroads arrived just in time
to aid in the growth of the marble industry. (continued)
Civil War and Industry (1861-1892)
  In
the Civil War, Rutland provided two
leaders of stature from the same family: Lt. Col. William W. Y.
Ripley, a leader of sharp shooters, and his brother, Gen. Edward
H. Ripley, who led the occupation of Richmond, Virginia. Numerous
other Rutland men, black and white, served with distinction.
In 1870 the post-war community celebrated Rutland's 100th
Anniversary of its first settlement. In 1870 Rutland was the
railroad crossroads of Vermont. It was also a developing industrial
community as well as the center of the world's largest marble business.(continued)
Urbanization (1893-1920)
 In
the 1890s Rutland became a cultural center for music, literature
and theater. Julia Ripley Dorr was instrumental in developing local
appreciation for the arts, especially among women. Her father had
built the Rutland Opera House and after a fire destroyed it he rebuilt
it. Julia composed an ode for the opening of the rebuilt Opera House.
She was personally acclaimed by New England's late 19th Century
writers of note, for both her poetry and prose. She was a strong
patron of the Rutland Free Library and arts and literature in Rutland
in general.
In 1913 George Chaffee built the Playhouse, another new theater
seating nearly 1,000 people. This theater opened in 1914. (continued)
20s, Depression and WWII (1921-1950)
 In
November 1927 floods hit Vermont and Rutland was no exception although
it did not suffer as much as some other communities. This photo
of the 1927 flood in Rutland shows the depth of the waters on Strongs
Avenue.
But water was not always a threat. In 1929 Rutland built a municipal
swimming pool on the western side of North Main Street. This
municipal facility became not only a notable public recreation site
but also a popular postcard view. In 1929 the community also opened
a new high school building on Library Avenue. (continued)
Post-war and Post-railroad Rutland (1951-1980)
 During
the 1950s the Chamber of Commerce and the local service clubs were
extremely active in improving the community. In the winter the Chamber
organized an annual Winter Carnival, replete with outdoor activities,
a parade and a winter Carnival Ball with Queen and Court. Joan Looker,
the 1955 queen, appeared on the Dave Garroway national TV show on
NBC to promote Rutland and Vermont. (continued)
Rutland Revitalized (1981-2010)
The present generation in Rutland is not without challenges but
it is in a revitalization mode. The community that was once the
railroad center of Vermont has seen the re-establishment of daily
passenger rail connection with New York City. Rail freight still
flows for specialized industries such as OMYA which has transformed
the marble industry from a building stone industry to one supplying
the world with calcium carbonate for its toothpastes, paper and
many other products. Meanwhile the automobile, which had such a
hand in the passing of railroad passenger service, and the truck,
which now carries the majority of freight, have continued to make
Rutland a destination community. (continued)
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