Starksboro

Chartered in 1780, Starksboro occupies the western slopes of the Green Mountains in Addison County, with terrain that rises sharply from the Champlain Valley into the higher elevations of the Lincoln Range. The town was named for General John Stark, the Revolutionary War hero whose rallying cry — "Live free or die" — became New Hampshire's motto. Early settlers cleared farms on the hillsides, though much of the steeper ground has since returned to forest.

Starksboro's population of about 1,798 is spread across a landscape of small farms, wooded ridges, and scattered settlements. The town is home to a portion of the Green Mountain National Forest, and the surrounding hills offer excellent habitat for wildlife. The community supports a local elementary school and has worked to maintain its rural character. Town meeting each March is where Starksboro's residents come together to manage the budget, elect officers, and make the decisions that keep this hill town running.