Middletown Springs

Middletown came about when citizens in the far reaches of the surrounding towns  of Ira, Poultney, Wells and Tinmouth grew tired of negotiating difficult terrain to attend meetings and worship services in their respective communities. Its name was indeed appropriate, considering that it was located right in the center of the four original settlements in a valley enveloped by high ridge-lines. By 1791, Middletown had become a seat of commerce boasting four grist mills, three saw mills, three distilleries, clothiers, mechanics' shops, taverns and stores, as well as the many farms that dotted its fertile landscape. The town thrived until 1811 when heavy rains caused the Poultney River to wash out all but one of the mills. Industry waned until about 50 years later when Albert W. Gray began to manufacture revolutionary farm machinery of his own invention. AW Gray and Sons expanded as the demand for its innovative designs grew, with products shipped by rail out of nearby Poultney to places across the country as well as Europe and South America. With that expansion came the re-discovery of several freshwater springs in 1868, ushering in a new prosperity for Middletown – and the addition of ‘Springs’ to the town’s name in 1884. This was the era when mineral springs and spas were the fashion, and the Grays began to bottle and sell the waters, which were believed to have medicinal qualities by the native people who first inhabited the area. The Grays helped to finance construction of the Montvert Hotel in 1870 to attract high-society visitors seeking a cure for their ailments. The luxurious resort offered accommodations for 350 guests, with state-of-the-art conveniences like gas lighting and running water. It employed many local people and brought new business to the town, but was ultimately unprofitable and closed its doors around 1900. The building was too cumbrous to serve any other purpose, and was demolished a few years later.

Education

Pre-K to Grade 6: Middletown Springs Elementary School
Grades 7-12: School Choice (state average tuition paid for any private/independent school). Area schools include: Burr & Burton Academy; Long Trail School, Poultney High School, Mill River Union High School and others.

Local Attractions

Middletown Springs Historical Society Museum
Middletown Springs Public Library

Local Businesses

Grant’s Village Store
Sissy’s Kitchen
Rising Meadow Pottery
Clock Doctor
Green Mountain Timberframes

Government

Town Offices middletownsprings.vt.gov

Phone/Internet/Television

VTEL, state-of-the-art fiber optics vermontel.com
Comcast high speed digital xfinity.com

Houses of Worship

Middletown Spring Community Church
Saint Anne’s Catholic Church

Nearest Medical Facilities

Rutland Regional Medical Center

Proximity

Middletown Springs is a 30-minute drive to Rutland, 38 minutes to Manchester; The Middletown Springs area is a little over an hour to Saratoga Springs NY, and an hour and 47 minutes to Albany NY. The major metropolitan areas of New York, Boston and Montreal are reachable within four and a half hours.

Public Transportation

Airports:  Rutland and Burlington VT and Albany NY.
Train stations: Rutland and Albany, NY