Cabot

Chartered in 1781, this Washington County town took its name from a family of early settlers and quickly became known for its hill farms and cooperative spirit. By the early twentieth century, Cabot's dairy farmers had banded together to form the Cabot Creamery Cooperative, which began producing cheddar cheese in 1919. That cooperative grew into one of Vermont's most recognizable brands, and its flagship plant still operates in the village today, drawing visitors from across New England who come to sample cheese and tour the facility.

With a population of roughly 1,200, Cabot remains a working agricultural community where the rhythms of the dairy season still set the pace. The rolling hills along Route 215 are dotted with active farms, and the Cabot village center retains its general store, library, and historical society. Residents gather each March for Town Meeting Day, where the open-floor format lets every voter speak directly to the budget, road maintenance, and school questions that shape daily life in this small but proudly self-governing town.