Clarendon is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,412 at the 2020 census. Clarendon spans U.S. Route 7 and is split by the highway, the Cold River and Mill River, Otter Creek, and the Green Mountains into the hamlets of Clarendon, West Clarendon, East Clarendon, Clarendon Springs, and North Clarendon.

History

The area that later formed the Town of Clarendon was settled by families from lower New England as early as 1762. It and the surrounding area was then part of Albany County, New York, but was later split off as Charlotte County until Vermont declared itself as a republic around 1777. Land claims by New Hampshire were eventually settled, and in 1791 Vermont became a state.

Clarendon now includes the following entries on the National Register of Historic Places:

  • Brown Covered Bridge – bridges the Cold River on Cold River Road in North Clarendon. NOTE: The Brown Covered Bridge is actually on the Upper Cold River Road in Shrewsbury and was damaged during the flooding from Hurricane Irene (added February 21, 1974)
  • Clarendon Congregational Church – Middle Rd. (added August 12, 1984)
  • Clarendon House – off VT 133 in Clarendon Springs (added June 17, 1976)
  • The Clarendon House hotel was a spa resort destination in the early 20th century
  • Cold River Bridge – VT 7B over the Cold R. (added December 14, 1991)
  • East Clarendon Railroad Station – VT 103 and East Rd. (added April 8, 1999)
  • The former East Clarendon Railroad Station is a restaurant today
  • Kingsley Covered Bridge – bridges the Mill River on East Street in East Clarendon (added March 12, 1974)

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Image:Clarendon Congregational Church, Clarendon, Vermont.jpg|Clarendon Congregational Church

Image:East Clarendon Railroad Station, East Clarendon, Vermont.jpg|Former East Clarendon Railroad Station

Image:Kingsley Covered Bridge, East Clarendon, Vermont.jpg|Kingsley Covered Bridge, East Clarendon

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Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.6&nbsp;square miles (81.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all land.

The Clarendon Gorge, accessible using the combined Appalachian Trail/Long Trail, is a popular local geographical feature. One must cross a suspension bridge to reach the waterfall and swimming holes as well as to connect with the Appalachian Trail National Scenic Trail.

Clarendon Gorge (Upper Falls):

  • Height: total drop
  • Water Source: Mill River
  • Trail Length: .01 mile
  • Trail Difficulty: Easy

Education

thumb|upright|Mill River Union High School

thumb|left|upright|Clarendon Elementary School

The students of Clarendon are served by two schools. Clarendon Elementary School for students in Pre-K through 6th grade and Mill River Union High School for students in grades 7–12. Prior to 2016, both schools were a part of the Rutland South Supervisory Union, but merged via Act 153 into the Mill River Unified Union School District. As of 2015, 46% of Clarendon students attended Clarendon Elementary School and 54% attended Mill River Union High School.

Demographics

As of the census

  • Charles V. Dyer, Chicago abolitionist
  • George F. Emmons, naval officer on voyage that explored the Antarctic
  • Theophilus Harrington, Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
  • George Tisdale Hodges, United States Representative
  • Silas H. Hodges, Commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office
  • Harrison J. Peck, newspaper editor and member of the Minnesota Senate
  • Increase Moseley, Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.
  • Abel Spencer, Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives

References