Ferrisburgh: A Neighborly Town
by Laurie Caswell Burke
A new resident of Ferrisburgh commented recently that before they had even moved into their newly built home, neighbors began stopping by to welcome them. This is truly the spirit that characterizes this small geographically spread out town of 2,400. It's difficult to locate a town Center as Ferrisburgh has at least three distinct areas-North Ferrisburgh, more commonly referred to as "the Hollow"; Ferrisburgh which stretches along Route 7; and West Ferrisburgh, where Basin Harbor Resort is located. It is perhaps the only town in Vermont where one has to travel through another city(Vergennes) to reach part of the town.
Situated between Charlotte and Vergennes, residents of
this bedroom community appreciate the rural landscape and don't
mind traveling to neighboring towns for groceries and other amenities.
A strong sense of pride weaves a common bond through this
friendly community where old-timers like Heman Higbee,who was
the oldest fire-fighter on the Ferrisburgh Fire department at
95, or Roland Robinson, an ardent abolitionist who donated his
home to the Rokeby museum, are often reminisced. Clement Hurd,
author of famous children's story Goodnight Moon is rumored to
have once lived in Ferrisburgh.
Ferrisburgh residents love to talk about the town's history,
and the wonderful collection of people who have made Ferrisburgh
home. "Ferrisburgh seems to be a really special community
for people throughout their lives", says Ferrisburgh resident
Charlie Langworthy, adding that townspeople add a richness through
the retelling of the town's history and folklore . There is an
active HistoricalSociety of town-folk including several people
from neighboring towns who meet monthly on the first Tuesday.
Two fine museums located in Ferrisburgh provide fascinating historical
journeys for visitors and residents.
The Rokeby Museum offers a wonderful look at what was once
Vermont's Underground Railroad which passed through Ferrisburgh.
The museum was originally the old Robinson homestead and visitors
can see the "slave room" among other Civil War relics.
Roland Robinson had slaves secreted in this room during the
day and at night they were taken to other stations, and then on
to Canada. Robinson's son kept many of these memories alive and
wrote many stories that have become famous lore of Vermont's past.
The first settlers arrived in 1769 where the first settlement
emerged by the first falls of the Great Otter Creek. Many of
the first settlers came by boat and were quick to recognize the
excellent sheltered harbor now known as Basin Harbor. The first
industry was a sawmill and later a grist mill. The town was named
after the surveyors, Benjamin and David Ferris, who divided the
town into lots among the roughly 65 landowners.
Ferrisburgh is home to two well known state parks, Button
Bay State Park located in West Ferrisburgh, and Kingsland Bay
State Park located farther north on the lake, both offering camping,
swimming and picnicing. Basin Harbor Club has been passed down
generations of the Beach family, originally built on the Beach
family farm. Today it is a first class family resort offering
cabins throughout the property, a wide array of activities, an
airstrip and the Red Mill Restaurant.
Ferrisburgh's town beach is located next to Kingsland Bay
State Park. Otter Creek a predominant waterway is a navigable
river by boat to the mouth of Lake Champlain. Little Otter Creek
and Lewis Creek, also located in Ferrisburgh, offer great fishing,
canoeing and duck-hunting.
One of Ferrisburgh's well known businesses, Dakin Farms,
is located prominently on Route 7, and is world famous for its
high quality Vermont products. Originally started by the two
Dakin spinster sisters, it was a dairy farm with a small gift
shop. Sam Cutting bought the farm and the gift shop continued
to grow.
The Ferrisburgh Artisans Guild, located on Route 7, is one
of the newest and most exciting projects happening in Ferrisburgh
today and has great promise of offering a gathering place for
residents and visitors from around the areato partake in its array
of activities. Originally conceived by Ferrisburgh resident
Debbie Allen and daughter Heidi and other fellow artists, the
Guild offers a nice facility to show their works. Over 100 juried
artists display their work with future plans to include working
resident artists-potter, blacksmith,wood-working and boat-building,
and educational programs. The property has 11 restored buildings,
including the "Old Hollow Covered Bridge" which is believed
to be the second oldest in the State, and the original North Ferrisburg
Railroad Station. In mid-September, The Starry Night Cafe opens
offering eclectic lunches and dinners every day except Tuesday,
a Vermont Country fare all prepared by a world class Chef from
San Francisco. The Artisans Guild is truly a blend of art and
community.
For people with school age kids, Ferrisburgh Central School
is the heart of the community. Approximately 220 children attend
k-6 there. Students then continue on to Vergennes Union for middle
and high school.
Ferrisburgh continues to have rich agricultural land with
a large populous of Dutch farmers who are devoted to farming the
land. Because of its clay soil and five acre zoning as well as
a commitment to maintain the rural nature of the town, it stands
a solid chance of remaining a rural community. It is evident that
residents like it the way it is. " It feels as if you are
back in time, old-fashioned, simple and rural-that's exactly why
we love living here", Debbie Allen sums up what many residents
feel about living in Ferrisburgh.