43 Interesting and Unique Fun Facts about Vermont

43 Interesting and Unique Fun Facts about Vermont, Vermont ranks as the 49th most populous and the 45th most extensive state among the 50 states in the United States. Situated in the New England region of the northeastern United States, Vermont boasts a rich historical background. It officially became the 14th state to join the union on March 4, 1791.

Geographical Location and Borders

Bordered by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York, Vermont’s strategic location in New England grants it access to diverse landscapes and cultural influences. With its serene landscapes and vibrant history, Vermont, also known as the “Green Mountain State,” comprises 14 counties.

State Capital and Abbreviation

The state capital of Vermont is Montpelier. Known for its charming small-town vibes and historical significance, Montpelier stands as a testament to Vermont’s unique identity. The state is commonly abbreviated as VT.

Interesting and Unique Fun Facts about Vermont Facts

1. Vermont’s Independence: Pre-Statehood

Vermont’s history boasts a remarkable period where it existed as an independent nation for 14 years before joining the United States as the 14th state. Originating in 1777 due to land disputes, this independence empowered locals to create their currency, implement anti-slavery laws, and establish postal services, marking a distinctive era in Vermont’s history.

2. Birthplace of Snow Golf: Dummerston’s Creative Legacy

Dummerston takes pride in being the birthplace of snow golf, credited to the imaginative prowess of Rudyard Kipling. Renowned as the author of “The Jungle Book,” Kipling invented this sport at his residence, infusing creativity into Vermont’s sporting heritage.

3. Vermont’s Cow Population: A Dairy Haven

Vermont stands out for having the highest ratio of dairy cows to human population in the United States. At one point, the state housed more cows than people, reflecting its deep-rooted agricultural heritage and prominence in dairy farming.

4. Mountains of Intrigue: Unusual Peaks
While Vermont boasts several renowned peaks with conventional names, it also hosts mountains bearing ominous titles. Among these peculiarly named ranges are Terrible Mountain, Devils Gap, and Vulture Mountain, adding an intriguing layer to the state’s topography and folklore.

5. Late Arrival of Walmart
Vermont stood as the final frontier for Walmart, welcoming its first store in 1996. Despite this late entry, the retail giant has since expanded its presence within the state by establishing several more branches.

6. Musical Challenge: Moonlight’s State Song Snub
In a curious turn of events during the late 1990s, the song “Moonlight” faced rejection as Vermont’s official state song due to its perceived difficulty for locals to sing along.

7. Historic Road Trip Origin: Burlington’s Automotive Legacy

Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson, a resident of Burlington, embarked on an iconic journey, becoming the first person to drive an automobile across the U.S. in 1903. Prompted by a $50 bar bet challenging his ability to reach New York City in under 90 days, Jackson, accompanied by a 22-year-old bicycle racer and mechanic, undertook this historic feat in a 20-horsepower Winton touring car named “Vermont.” Despite encountering numerous challenges during the 64-day journey, including car part failures and flat tires, they persevered, overcoming adversities and ultimately triumphing in their remarkable expedition.

8. Vermont’s Maple Syrup Mastery

Renowned as the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States, Vermont contributes a staggering 35 percent of the nation’s total supply. Embracing a rich tradition, locals actively engage in syrup production, with some producing it at home while others play pivotal roles as major producers. Fascinatingly, it takes approximately 40 gallons of maple sap collected from maple trees during the early spring to produce a single gallon of maple syrup. This seasonal extraction process occurs as the sap flows and is collected in buckets, highlighting Vermont’s significant role in the syrup industry.

Vermont surpasses all other states in maple syrup production, with New York following as the second-largest producer.

9. Lake Champlain’s Mysterious Resident

Lake Champlain harbors a captivating legend of Champ, an elusive and friendly lake monster. This mythical creature has piqued the curiosity of many, drawing attention from the Discovery Channel, which conducted an extensive investigation into the intriguing claim.

10. Innovative Snowflake Photography

Vermonters exhibit an innovative spirit, exemplified by Wilson Bentley, a farmer credited with revolutionizing snowflake photography. Bentley’s pioneering techniques enabled the precise capture of snowflake images, emphasizing the uniqueness of each flake. His inventive approach enhanced photographic accuracy, showcasing the unparalleled beauty of nature’s delicate creations.

11. Billboard Ban: Preserving Natural Beauty
Vermont stands out as a billboard-free haven due to a state-wide ban enforced in 1968. Legislators took this step to safeguard the state’s picturesque landscapes, making road signs devoid of any commercial advertisements. This ban not only conserved Vermont’s natural allure but also significantly boosted tourism. Interestingly, Vermont was the second state after Hawaii in the 1920s to impose such a ban, followed by Maine in the 1980s and Alaska in 1998.

12. Controversial Resolutions: Bush and Cheney’s Arrest
In a surprising move in 2008, two Vermont towns, Marlboro and Brattleboro, passed resolutions aimed at the potential arrest of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. These resolutions empowered citizens to effect a citizen’s arrest if the leaders visited these towns, citing perceived violations of the constitution as the basis for their decision.

13. Snowboarding’s Origins: Jake Burton’s Innovation
Vermont holds a special place in the history of snowboarding, thanks to local Jake Burton, a former ski racer. Burton revolutionized the sport by designing and manufacturing specialized snowboards after his experience in snurfing, a precursor to snowboarding. Initially referred to as snurfing, this innovation transformed winter sports.

14. Skyline Free Zone: Absence of Skyscrapers
Vermont boasts short buildings, distinctly different from states flaunting towering skyscrapers. The state’s tallest building, Decker Towers, merely reaches 11 stories and stands at a modest 124 feet, reflecting Vermont’s architectural aesthetic.

15. Record-Breaking Astronomy Lesson
The Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records by hosting the largest outdoor astronomy lesson on August 10, 2018, attended by a staggering 1580 people. Notably, this planetarium is the sole public one in the state. Excitement buzzes for the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, promising a momentary blackout, particularly in St. Johnsbury.

16. Lake Champlain: From Sea to Lake
Lake Champlain, among the nation’s largest bodies of water, has a fascinating history—it was once a sea. This transformation occurred when the Ice Age glaciers receded, causing the land to rise above the seas, ultimately forming the Champlain Sea.

17. Presidential Roots: Birthplace of Presidents
Vermont proudly claims two U.S. Presidents as natives—Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President, from Fairfield, and Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, born in Plymouth. Both men ascended to the presidency from the vice presidency following the deaths of the incumbent presidents, marking Vermont’s significant place in American political history.

18. President Coolidge: Independence Day Birth
John Calvin Coolidge Jr., born in Vermont, holds the distinction of being the sole U.S. President born on Independence Day. Inaugurated as the 30th President, Coolidge’s swearing-in ceremony, conducted by his father—a notary public—occurred beneath the light of a kerosene lamp, using the family Bible, on July 4th, 1872.

19. Cadillac Parade: Honoring Henry M. Leland
A grand parade featuring 298 vintage and modern Cadillacs rolled through Barton, Vermont, on August 17, 2011, paying homage to Henry M. Leland, the visionary behind Cadillac’s founding in 1902. This spectacular event etched its name into the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting the largest gathering of Cadillac cars in a parade. Leland’s descendants, residing nearby, continue to preserve his legacy.

20. Ben & Jerry’s Origin: Vermont’s Pride
Vermont proudly boasts being the birthplace and headquarters of the renowned ice cream brand, Ben & Jerry’s. The company’s ties with local farmers benefit the community, as ice cream waste serves as fodder for the farmers’ livestock. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield kick-started this iconic venture after completing a modest $5 correspondence course in ice cream making. Their pioneering spirit led them to open their inaugural ice cream scoop shop with a $12,000 investment, converting a Burlington gas station into the cherished establishment.

21. Political Quirk: “Mad Matt” Lyon’s Jail Re-election
Vermont’s political scene witnessed an eccentric event when Matthew ‘Mad Matt’ Lyon learned of his re-election while incarcerated. Lyon’s outspoken nature landed him in jail for defamatory comments about the president, earning him both notoriety and another term in office.

22. Postal History: Birth of U.S. Postage Stamps
Brattleboro holds the honor of producing the first U.S. postage stamp in 1846, marking a significant milestone in postal history from Vermont’s soil.

23. Origin of Vermont’s Name
Vermont’s name traces back to the moment when French explorer Samuel de Champlain beheld the verdant mountains and uttered “vert” for “green” and “mont” for “mountain.” As the first European to explore the region, Champlain unwittingly bestowed the state’s name.

24. Record-Breaking Balance: Cally’s Feat
A remarkable achievement occurred in Charlotte, Vermont, on June 29, 2019, when Cally set the Guinness World Record for the longest duration balancing on a board—an astounding eight hours, two minutes, and two seconds. Hailing from a family of achievers, Cally followed in the footsteps of her sister, Tatum, the previous record holder.

25. Ethan Allen’s Legacy in Furniture
The renowned multinational furniture chain, Ethan Allen, derives its name from a prominent figure in Vermont’s history—an influential Revolutionary leader.

26. Indigenous Tribes: Abenaki and Mohican Legacy
Historically, Vermont has been home to two indigenous tribes—the Abenaki and Mohican tribes, dating back to 8500 BCE. Both tribes, speakers of the Algonquian language, occupied significant areas within Vermont before being displaced by the Iroquois.

27. Birth of the Vermont Republic
The Vermont Republic emerged following a revolt by the Green Mountain Boys, marking a significant chapter in the state’s history as an independent entity.

28. Vermont’s Happy Residents
In 2013, Vermonters earned the distinction of being ranked the fifth happiest people in the United States, reflecting the state’s overall contentment among its inhabitants.

29. Montpelier’s McDonald’s Deficiency
The capital city of Montpelier stands unique among state capitals as the sole one without a McDonald’s restaurant.

30. Montpelier’s Small Stature
Montpelier not only holds the title of the smallest state capital in the U.S., with a population of fewer than 10,000, but it also boasts the country’s second smallest city and the most diminutive capitol building.

31. Killington: “Beast of the East”
The ski resort at Killington earns the moniker “Beast of the East” due to its impressive attributes—a staggering 3,050 feet vertical drop, seven peaks, and the distinction of being the highest lift-serviced mountain in Vermont. The summit of Killington Peak reaches the state’s highest skiing elevation at 4,241 feet.

32. Vermont’s Pioneering Stance on Slavery
Vermont, the first state admitted to the Union after the original thirteen colonies, made history by outlawing adult slavery within its state constitution in 1777 while it operated as an independent state. This significant step marked Vermont as a pioneer in the abolition of slavery.

33. Alexander Twilight: Trailblazing Academic Achievement
Alexander Twilight etched his name in history as the first African American to attain a U.S. college degree, marking a significant milestone in educational achievement.

34. Vermont in New England’s Quorum
Among the cluster of New England states, Vermont proudly stands as one of the six, alongside Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, enriching the region’s cultural tapestry.

35. Atlantic Exclusion: Vermont’s Geographical Distinction
Vermont, while part of New England, stands apart as the sole state within the region lacking direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, setting it apart from its regional counterparts.

36. The Vast Marble Domain: Vermont Danby Quarry
Within Vermont’s landscapes lies the colossal Vermont Danby Quarry, recognized as the world’s largest underground marble quarry. Utilizing an entrance utilized for over a century, it boasts an extensive reserve of underground marble.

37. Lake Champlain’s Historical Evolution
Lake Champlain, an iconic body of water spanning miles along interstate borders, ranks as the sixth largest inland lake in the United States. This significant lake once constituted part of the Great Lakes, extending across national borders into Canada. Covering an area of 435 square miles, this lake’s borders touch Vermont, New York, and Quebec, serving as a pivotal ecosystem hub in the region’s natural landscape.

38. Cabot Creamery’s Giant Grilled Cheese Triumph
The Cabot Creamery of Vermont achieved culinary greatness by crafting the world’s largest grilled cheese sandwich. Festival attendees at the Second Annual Everglades Cheese Cracker Festival in Everglades City, Florida, were treated to a tantalizing sight on November 4, 2000—a colossal 320-pound grilled cheese measuring an impressive five feet by 10.5 feet by two and a half inches post-cooking. Despite missing out on official recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records due to a lack of verification, a captivating picture of this mammoth sandwich resides within the GBWR archives.

39. Covered Bridge Haven
Vermont boasts an impressive collection of over one hundred covered bridges, earning it the distinction of having the highest concentration of covered bridges per square mile among all U.S. states, showcasing the state’s historical and architectural charm.

40. Vermont’s Walmart Journey
Until 1996, Vermont notably stood as the sole state without a Walmart, marking a unique distinction in the retail landscape of the nation.

41. Gigantic S’more Extravaganza
Camp Meade in Middlesex, Vermont, played host to a delightful event on December 29, 2018, where attendees relished in the creation of the largest unofficial s’more ever made. Spanning 32 square feet, this sweet treat surpassed the official record of 25 square feet, yet missed Guinness World Records recognition due to verification constraints. Nonetheless, the joyous occasion was a delectable success for all who indulged in this colossal dessert.

42. Vermont’s Verdant Landscape
Vermont’s picturesque terrain captivates visitors with its lush greenery, with trees covering an impressive 77 percent of the state. This abundance of natural beauty, encompassing mountains, lakes, and hiking trails, serves as a major draw for thousands of tourists.

43. Vermont’s Rural Essence
Vermont and Maine claim the titles of the nation’s most rural states, underscoring their countryside charm and rustic appeal within the United States.

Decoding Vermont’s Flag: Symbolism, Evolution, and Historical Context

Design and Symbolism	– The flag exhibits a dark blue field featuring the state’s coat of arms and motto. – Pine branches on both sides signify the victory at the 1812 Battle of Plattsburgh, a defense against a British invasion. – The shield showcases a lone pine tree in the middle, a brown cow, and three sheaves of wheat, symbolizing Vermont’s forests, dairy industry, and agriculture. – Above the shield is a stag’s head representing the state’s wildlife, while a flowing red ribbon bears the motto “Freedom and Unity” alongside the word “Vermont,” signifying the balance between personal freedom and community responsibility.
Adoption Date	The current flag was officially adopted by the Vermont legislature on June 1, 1923.
Technical Specifications	The flag’s proportions adhere to a ratio of 3:5, and the pine branches supporting the shield intersect at the bottom.
Historical Evolution	– In 1778, Ira Allen, a notable figure in Vermont’s history, designed the Great Seal, which became a part of the state’s coat of arms. – Before 1923, Vermont had different flag designs, but the legislature ultimately adopted the current flag that incorporates elements from Ira Allen’s seal.
Other Notable Flags	– Green Mountain Boys Flag: A green field with a blue canton containing 13 white stars symbolized the Green Mountain Boys’ fight for Vermont’s independence. – Second and Third State Flags: These flags evolved with changes in the US flag design, incorporating stars and stripes denoting statehood and alignment with national standards.

Vermont: Key Facts and Statistics

State Overview

• Abbreviation: VT
• Capital: Montpelier
• Largest City: Burlington
• Size: Total (Land + Water): 9,614 sq miles; Land Only: 9,250 sq miles
• Population: Approximately 647,064 (Estimate as of July 1, 2022, from United States Census Bureau)
• Statehood: March 4, 1791

State Ranking

• Population Rank: 49th
• Date of Formation Rank: 14th
• Area Rank: 45th
• Number of Counties: 14

Geography and Demographics

• Demonym: Vermonter
• Bordering States: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York
• Official Language: None
• Highest Point: Mount Mansfield (4,395 ft or 1340 m)
• Lowest Point: Lake Champlain (95 to 100 ft or 29 to 30 m)
• Length: 160 miles (260 km)
• Width: 80 miles (130 km)
• % Water: 4.1

Political Leadership

• Governor: Phil Scott (R)
• Lieutenant Governor: Molly Gray (D)
• Electoral Votes: 3

State Motto and Nickname

• State Motto: “Freedom and Unity”
• State Nickname: Green Mountain State

Notable Features

• Nobel Prize Winners: Donald J. Cram (Chemistry, 1987), Jody Williams (Peace, 1997)
• Famous People: Carlton Fisk (Baseball player), Gabriel Mann (Actor)
• U.S. Presidents Born in Vermont: Chester Alan Arthur, John Calvin Coolidge Jr.

State Symbols

• State Flag: [Flag of Vermont]
• State Coat of Arms: [Coat of Arms of Vermont.svg]
• State Amphibian: Northern Leopard Frog
• State Animal: Horse
• State Bird: Hermit thrush
• State Butterfly: Monarch Butterfly
• State Fish: Brook trout
• State Flower: Red Clover
• State Fruit: Apple
• State Gem: Grossular Garnet
• State Heritage Livestock: Randall Lineback Cattle
• State Insect: Honeybee
• State Marine Fossil: Beluga Whale Skeleton
• State Mineral: Talc
• State Reptile: Painted Turtle
• State Tree: Sugar Maple

Geographic Coordinates and Time Zone

• Longitude: 71° 28′ W to 73° 26′ W
• Latitude: 42° 44′ N to 45° 1′ N
• Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone

Contact Information and Codes

• Official Website: www.vermont.gov
• Area Codes: 802

Table last updated: November 27, 2023.

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