Brattleboro, VT Summer Camps

About Brattleboro, VT

Brattleboro , originally Brattleborough , is a town in Windham County , Vermont , United States , located in the southeast corner of the state, along the state line with New Hampshire . The population was 12,046 at the 2010 census . It is situated along the Connecticut River , at the mouth of the West River . Brattleboro is the oldest town in the state, and noted for its vibrant arts community, as well as the renowned Brattleboro Retreat , a psychiatric hospital and convalescent center.

History of Brattleboro, VT

History Abenaki Land Once known as "Wantastiquet", the area where Brattleboro lies is at the confluence of the West River and the Connecticut River. The West River was called Wantastiquet in the Abenaki language, a word meaning "river which leads to the west", and is marked by Mount Wantastiquet at its mouth and the Wantastiquet Ponds at its source. The Abenaki would transit this area annually between Missisquoi near what is now Northfield, Massachusetts . The band of Abenaki who frequented this area were called Sokoki , which means "people who go their own way" or "people of the lonely way". The Abenaki vigorously defended their land, which they called " Ndakinna ," against European settlement in the 17th and 18th centuries . Because the Abenaki had sided with the French in the mid-1700s, most of them were driven north into Quebec , opening the way for British settlements in the area. Frontier fort Bird's-eye view in 1905 To defend the Massachusetts Bay Colony against Chief Gray Lock and others during Dummer's War, the Massachusetts General Court voted on December 27, 1723 to build a blockhouse and stockade at what would become Brattleboro. Lieutenant-governor William Dummer signed the measure, and construction of Fort Dummer began on February 3, 1724. It was completed before summer. On October 11 of that year, the French attacked the fort and killed some soldiers.

Brattleboro, VT City Statistics: