Middletown Springs

In the 1800s, this small Rutland County town was known for its mineral springs, which drew visitors seeking the supposed health benefits of the iron- and sulfur-rich waters. Hotels sprang up to accommodate the trade, and for a time Middletown Springs had a modest reputation as a spa destination. That era passed, but the town's handsome green and surrounding historic buildings remain.

Chartered in 1784, Middletown Springs sits along the Poultney River in the western foothills. The town's population has held steady around 740 for years. The Middletown Springs Historical Society maintains a museum in the former mineral spring bottling house, preserving artifacts from the town's resort days.

Governance follows the traditional Vermont model: a selectboard handles day-to-day administration, and residents gather each March for town meeting to vote on budgets and local matters. In a town this size, the meeting is as much a social event as a civic one.