Jamaica

Chartered in 1780, Jamaica sits along the West River in Windham County, surrounded by the steep, forested hills that characterize this part of southern Vermont. The town's name is believed to derive from a Native American word, though the exact etymology has been debated by historians. Jamaica was the home of Daniel Webster's second wife, Caroline LeRoy, and the statesman visited the town on several occasions.

Jamaica has about 920 residents and a well-preserved village center that includes a classic white church, a town hall, and a handful of homes dating to the early nineteenth century. Jamaica State Park, located along the West River, is a popular destination for camping, hiking, and whitewater paddling during the annual fall dam release. Ball Mountain Dam, upstream of the park, controls flooding on the West River.

The town is governed by a selectboard with major decisions made at annual town meeting. Jamaica's blend of natural beauty, historical character, and active civic life makes it a representative example of what Vermont's small towns do best.