The marker and a monument stand in front of the Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace and Museum which was…read moreclosed when I was here, so here's the monument and marker. Prior to the crucial Lincoln-Douglas debates, Douglas had defeated Lincoln in the 1858 US Senate election in Illinois. Douglas became the leading proponent of popular sovereignty, which held that each territory should be allowed to decide whether to allow slavery within its borders, in order to deal with the contentious issue of extending slavery into the territories. He was one of the brokers of the "Compromise of 1850", which sought to avert a sectional crisis. Both pro- and anti-slavery activists rejected this approach to resolve the problem. Ultimately, Lincoln's strong support in the North led to his victory in the election. After the Battle of Fort Sumter, Douglas rallied support for the Union, but he died in June 1861 as the Civil War began. It reads, "The 'little giant' of national politics, born in Brandon in 1813, later moved to Middlebury to learn cabinet making. Returning to Brandon, he attended the Academy. Moving to Illinois in 1833, his career merged with the stream of American politics, reaching the height in his famous debates with Abraham Lincoln in 1858. Although Lincoln's opponent during the campaign, he supported the Union until his death in June, 1861." The marker was erected in 1957 by the Vermont Historic Sites Commission and it appears to have been updated recently as it is in excellent condition. Adjacent to the marker is a stone marker with a bas relief of Douglas and it reads, "Stephen A. Douglas. Teacher, Lawyer, Orator, Statesman. United States Senator from Illinois 1847 to 1861 Democratic candidate for President of the United States against Abraham Lincoln. Loyal supporter of Lincoln and the Union in the early days of the War of the Rebellion. Born at Brandon April 23 1813 in the cottage west of this site. Died in Chicago June 3 1861." [Review 18486 overall - 85 in Vermont - 2008 of 2022.]

On our trip to Vermont in July 2025, some 40 (!!) years since I was last in beautiful Vermont, my…read morehusband and I went on a covered bridge tour (that I created) for our short little trip. Shockingly, we managed to see 23 bridges in 3-1/2 days. That really is a lot, and considering how many times we got lost, yes, even with GPS (but largely withOUT it in mostly rural areas), we still managed to see that many bridges. Had our GPS been more available, we maybe could've pushed that number to 30 bridges, but I'm very happy with 23. :) The Warren Bridge, built in 1880 and placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, crosses the Mad River in Warren, VT. The very cute and tiny bridge looks too small to have a car driven over it, but it's not... we drove right through it !!

Vermont's most peaceful spot: stunning grounds, drive into forest for more history. Friendly staff…read moreshared Joseph Smith's upbringing story. Ideal for history, quiet reflection, nature's beauty.

I'm not an LDS member and I don't know a whole lot about their Church, but I was passing through…read moreand decided that I'd like to see the largest polished granite shaft in the world. So here it is, a total of 50 feet tall with the stone obelisk itself at 38.5 feet (one for each year of Smith's life). It is a beautiful facility and the stone itself is impressive. The center is quiet and peaceful and a lovely tribute to the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is also a full visitors' center here and a meeting house. Admission to the center and tours of the memorial site are free.

While not so historic as most bridges we've seen, this bridge was only constructed in 1969, but it…read moreis still a very popular and photographable bridge. It crosses the Ottauquechee River and offers some very attractive views through the lattice wood design. I like the fact that a walkway off to one side was constructed to accommodate pedestrians, so that car traffic could safely enter the bridge tunnel.

Our recent New England fall foliage organized guided tour included a brief stop here…read more It's a working bridge so be aware of vehicles passing back and forth. There's a pedestrian walkway also. We walked across to the other side and back. The covered bridge is very rustic looking. Originally from the late 1800's and rebuilt in the 1960's. Nice photo opportunity.

I had seen the other sculpture on the interstate but I made it a point to stop at this one because…read moreI love how the tails are curved around. Makes for a great shot.

We stumbled on this beautiful landmark getting gas. I felt so lucky to see something so cool and…read morebeautiful out in a distance! If you're ever in Vermont Google directions to see this in person. I don't think anyone would be disappointed.

Everyone had to be born somewhere so Rutland Vermont is the birthplace of the famous John Deere and…read morethere is a marker here to commemorate the spot. The marker reads, "John Deere was born February, 7th, 1804 the third son of William Rinold Deere and Sarah Yates Deere. It is presumed that Sarah gave birth to John at home; over William Deere's Rutland tailor shop located on the east side of Main St. across from the park. In 1805, the family moved to Middlebury, Vermont where at the age of 17, he learned the blacksmith trade as an apprentice. When hard times hit the region in the 1830s, Deere decided to leave his wife and family temporarily and venture west. In 1836 Deere moved to Grand Detour, Illinois where, in 1837 he built the world's first steel moldboard plow - "The Plow that Tamed The West"." The marker was erected in 2012 by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. The sign is in near mint condition. There is parking nearby at a convenience store. [Review 18466 overall - 65 in Vermont - 1988 of 2022.]

This Civil War monument is located in the main traffic island at the center of Brandon where Park…read moreStreet meets Franklin Street. Like other such monuments, it features a soldier in Union uniform of cap and boots with hands clasped on an upturned monument. At the bas, it simply says "1861-1865. Brandon. To her fallen soldiers." And the monument lists the many (too many) from the Brandon area who fought in the Civil War and did not return. No poems, no scripture, just a long list of names on all four sides with reliefs of crossed cannon and crossed swords. [Review 18485 overall - 84 in Vermont - 2007 of 2022.]

Saw this plaque on Main Street today and checked it out…read more Alden Partridge was a Superintendent at West Point (1815-1817) and was an authority on military education. He was one of the founding fathers of nearby Norwich University, America's first private military college. It's a simple plaque with a brief biography of Superintendent Partridge.