We’ve compiled a special collection of Vermont oddities, myths and legends about people, places and things around VT. If you think the weirdest experience you’ve had in Vermont is strolling down Church St., think again. Some of the articles below are sure to curl your toes. Also, when truth is stranger than fiction, there are quite a few skeletons hidden in Vermont’s closet.
- The Premature Burial in Vermont?
One man’s Insurance against premature burial in Vermont. Things are looking up…for someone who’s been dead for over 100 years. Discover Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, Vermont, final resting place of Timothy Clark Smith, whose 1893 crypt includes a window to help him escape in case he was buried alive.
- Curse of the Brunswick Springs
Ripley’s Believe it or Not called it the “Eighth Wonder of the World” in 1984. To Abenaki American Indians, it is a sacred spot with natural healing powers. Over the last two centuries, people with enterprising ideas have envisioned it as a place of business. Four hotel fires later, they were left to wonder: was it coincidence that led to their failure, or the curse of Brunswick Springs?
- Where is Ethan Allen Buried?
In life, Ethan Allen was a controversial Revolutionary War hero that history often describes as fiercely independent, a bit crude, brash and undoubtedly, daring. Allen was no military genius, rather an overbearing, loud-mouthed braggart. But where is this legendary figure now?
- A Farmer’s Work is Never Done – Even in Death…
at least that is what I like to joke about when I tell people about the old farmer who lived in my farmhouse several decades ago. I’m fond of telling people that he still roams the halls of the two and a half story farmhouse. During the early months of 2005, something happened that made me think, at least for a moment, that my joke wasn’t a joke after all. By Scott Wheeler.
- The Hope Cemetery, Barre, VT.
Hope Cemetery. This is the only cemetery where I have actually seen tourists go and take photos next to the monuments. Probably for good reason as this is one of the most fantastic displays of granite that you’ll ever see. Monuments such as the huge soccer ball, airplane, the trucker and perhaps the most unusual of all…two people side-by-side, holding hands in bed. Plus, life size statues and more. Take a look for yourself as a whole gallery of Hope Cemetery photos are now available.
- Devil Cats of Vermont
Some folks call them devil cats while others call them a beautiful creationof nature. Vermont history is full of accounts regarding mountain lions prowling the woods and forests of Vermont. Supposedly, the last Catamount was shot in the town of Barnard in 1181. The species was all but exterminated by the end of the 19th century. Yet, Catamount sightings persist, with the first recorded sighting near Craftsbury, VT in 1942. Since 1990, sightings have increased. Some believe that the state of Vermont knows of the Catamount’s existence and there is a conspiracy or cover up. According to the VT Department of Wildlife, there is no evidence supporting the existence of the legendary cat in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
- Legend of “Johnny Seesaw”
Johnny Seesaw’s was built in 1920 by Russian logger, Ivan Sesow. Sesow called his enterprise “The Wonderview Log Pavilion” and began the legend with his wild Saturday night dances, homemade moonshine and rumored sin cabins out back. If you didn’t know someone who had stayed here, you didn’t stay here.
- Slipperyskin – Bear, Bigfoot, or Indian?
In the 1700s the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont was (and still is to a certain degree) frontier country. It was inhabited by woodsmen, hunters, trappers, and fishermen extended families, mostly Wabanaki, but also a few sturdy others. It is told that it was also the haunt of Slipperyskin, a bear, which is supposed to have caused a general misery among the settlers. His name Slipperyskin was because he managed to elude every trap that was ever set for him. The Indians knew him and called him Wejuk or Wet Skin.
- Willoughby Lake Monster and other Oddities
Willoughby Lake is a scenic body of water located in the northern Vermont town of Westmore, nestled between two mountains, Mt. Hor and Mt. Pisgah. In earlier years, the region was a well known and popular destination with several large tourist hotels and much to see and do.
- Vermont’s Deep Frozen Folks
Vermonters are a frugal bunch and have been for many generations. In order to save energy during a long, cold Vermont winter, the truly ingenious old-time Vermont natives would find a way conserve food and heat….by freezing their old folks, for the duration of winter, and thawing them out in the spring time!
- The Town Named After A Cheapskate
Barton, Vermont is named for Colonel (later General) William Barton, best known for having captured the British commanding General Robert Prescott, at Prescott’s Rhode Island headquarters in 1777. Prescott’s capture lessened the pressure on American General George Washington’s forces in New Jersey. Barton, Vermont’s namesake, General William Barton, later spent fourteen years in jail in Vermont for refusing to pay a public fine, although people that knew him believed he could have easily paid for it.
- The Toughest Town in Vermont
The Boston Evening Transcript headline proclaimed the news on July 29, 1931: “Vermont’s Toughest Town Moves to Rid Itself of Gangsters.” Prohibition was at its height with two more years to go before its repeal by the Twenty-First Amendment. The newspaper reported that gangsters lolled on Depot Street in Lyndonville, VT, parked their rum running cars in plain sight and sometimes gave local teenagers high speed rides on their back road getaway routes.
- The Brookfield Floating Bridge
Brookfield is located just south of Williamstown, in Orange County, VT. It is the site of the famous Floating Bridge, buoyed by 380 barrels – the only floating bridge in Vermont. The 300-foot bridge spans Sunset Lake, which is too deep to support a pillared structure. In 1820, the bridge was made up of floating logs but the logs had to be replaced each year. Tarred barrels then became the solution for a number of years until modern times when they were replaced by plastic barrels filled with Styrofoam.
- A Dual Purpose Coffin
Lysander Barnes was a huge man. He towered six-foot plus in his stocking feet. “Lys” was somewhat of a carpenter. During the 1850′s, he was the “Mr. Fix It” of the north end of Stamford, VT. It suddenly dawned upon Lys one day that at some time he must depart this life, and realizing that he was of generous stature and knowing the inadequacy of the coffin vendors of the nearby city of North Adams, Mass., he set to work to “fix’ himself a sturdy box of native pine.
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