North Clarendon

Clarendon is a unique rural town with much of the oldest colonial history in Rutland County. Most of Clarendon’s historic buildings are neglected and slowly disappearing. In the past, North Clarendon was the population center, featuring a post office, a Grange, a school, chapel, an inn, and a tea house. With grants and community contributions, it is possible to turn North Clarendon into an interesting historic village district.

North Clarendon is an ideal candidate for the Agency of Community Development’s Village Centers program, and the agency is encouraging Clarendon to apply.  The Village Centers program supports the revitalization efforts of small and medium-sized historic centers. Village Center Designation brings benefits such as financial incentives, training, and technical assistance.

Stafford, Clarendon Springs and other town centers have benefited from obtaining Village Center Designation. The Agency of Community Development describes Stafford as, “The classic Vermont village of our imagination – the church with a steeple, the smell of a freshly mowed town green flanked by mature maples and stone walls; a babbling brook, a nearby historic general store, post office, and an assortment of authentic historic homes – exists today in Strafford, Vermont.”  

According the Village Designation eligibility requirements, any Vermont town, city  incorporated village chartered to function as a general purpose unit of local government is eligible for funding. The majority of projects gaining the designation are coordinated efforts between the municipalities, community groups and local or state non-profit organizations or small businesses.

The North Clarendon Chapel is eligible for the National Registry of Historic Places. Clarendon Heritage is working to obtain this recognition for chapel. Joining Clarendon’s Kingsley Bridge (1870) on the registry, will build momentum for the chapel restoration and revitalization of North Clarendon.

The Historical Society of Clarendon has scores of entries on its website, below is a selection of entries with maps and other information about North Clarendon history.