Castleton

One of the earliest settlements on Vermont's western side, Castleton was chartered in 1761 by New Hampshire Governor Benning Wentworth and saw its first permanent settlers arrive in 1769. The town played a direct role in the American Revolution: it was at Remington's Tavern in Castleton that Ethan Allen and Seth Warner planned the 1775 capture of Fort Ticonderoga. That tavern site is now marked, and the town's deep colonial roots are visible in a main street lined with Federal and Greek Revival architecture.

Castleton is also an educational center. Castleton University, founded in 1787 as the Rutland County Grammar School, is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in New England and remains a major employer and cultural anchor. With about 4,700 residents in Rutland County, the town balances its college-town character with a strong agricultural heritage. Lake Bomoseen, Vermont's largest lake entirely within its borders, lies partly in Castleton and draws seasonal visitors. Town governance follows the selectboard model, with annual Town Meeting giving every registered voter a direct say in municipal decisions.