Barre (city), Vermont

Barre, Vermont
City

Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): Granite Center of the World

Location in Washington County and the state of Vermont
Country United States
State Vermont
County Washington
Incorporated 1895
Government
 • Mayor Thom Lauzon (R)
Area
 • City 4.0 sq mi (10.4 km2)
 • Land 4.0 sq mi (10.4 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 609 ft (186 m)
Population (2014 est.)
 • City 8,837
 • Density 2,200/sq mi (850/km2)
 • Metro 59,626
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 05641
Area code(s) 802
FIPS code 50-03250[1]
GNIS feature ID 1456274[2]
Website www.barrecity.org

Barre /ˈbæri/ is a city in Washington County, Vermont, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 9,052.[3] Barre City is almost completely surrounded by Barre Town, which is a separate municipality.

Barre is often twinned with nearby Montpelier in local media and businesses. It is the main city in the Barre Micropolitan area which, at 59,564 residents, is the third largest in Vermont (after Burlington and Rutland). Barre itself is the largest city in Washington County, and is the fourth most populous city and tenth most populous municipality in Vermont.

Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Trouble With Harry premiered at the Paramount Theater in Barre on September 27, 1955.[4][5]

History

City Hall and park in c. 1910

On November 6, 1780, the land was granted to William Williams and 64 others. Originally called Wildersburgh, it included what is today both the town and city of Barre. It was first settled in 1788 by John Goldsbury and Samuel Rodgers, together with their families. But dissatisfied with the name Wildersburgh, citizens renamed the town after Isaac Barré, a champion of the American Colonies. In 1895, 4.0 square miles (10.4 km2) within the town was set off and incorporated as the separate city.

Granite industry

Sample of the Barre Granite from the E. L. Smith Quarry of the Rock of Ages Stone Company, Graniteville, Vermont

Barre is the self-proclaimed "Granite Center of the World". Initially established with the discovery of vast granite deposits at Millstone Hill soon after the War of 1812, the granite industry and the city itself saw a boom with the arrival of the railroad. The fame of this vast deposit of granite, which some geologists say is 4 miles (6.4 km) long, 2 miles (3.2 km) wide and 10 miles (16 km) deep, soon spread to Europe and Canada. Large numbers of people migrated to Barre from Italy, Scotland, Spain, Scandinavia, Greece, Lebanon, Canada, and a number of other countries. The population increased from 2,060 in 1880, to 6,790 in 1890, to 10,000 in 1894. By the turn of the century, Barre was noted as the state's most diverse municipality.

The Italian immigrants in particular brought a radical, largely anarchist labor movement to Barre. They were originally affiliated with the Socialist Labor Party before affiliating with the Industrial Workers of the World, and in 1916 and in 1929 the city elected a Socialist Party candidate as mayor of Barre. The old Socialist Labor Party Hall is still standing, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

"Barre Gray" granite is sought after worldwide for its fine grain, even texture, and superior weather resistance. Many sculpture artists prefer it for outdoor sculpture.[6] In 1936 the granite quarry in Barre carved out a 35-ton cross from one section of stone in the quarry.[7]

Hope Cemetery in Barre displays extensive examples of the sculptors' art.

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10.4 km2), all land. Barre is drained by the Stevens Branch River and Jail Branch River, tributaries of the Winooski River.

The city is served by Interstate 89, U.S. Route 302, Vermont Route 14 and Vermont Route 62. It is bordered by the town of Berlin to the west, but is otherwise surrounded by the separate town of Barre.

Climate data for Barre Montpelier Airport (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 25.7
(−3.5)		 29.7
(−1.3)		 38.3
(3.5)		 52.6
(11.4)		 65.1
(18.4)		 73.8
(23.2)		 78.0
(25.6)		 76.1
(24.5)		 68.1
(20.1)		 55.6
(13.1)		 43.1
(6.2)		 31.0
(−0.6)		 53.1
(11.7)
Average low °F (°C) 7.4
(−13.7)		 9.9
(−12.3)		 19.3
(−7.1)		 32.0
(0)		 42.3
(5.7)		 51.7
(10.9)		 56.0
(13.3)		 54.3
(12.4)		 46.5
(8.1)		 35.6
(2)		 27.3
(−2.6)		 14.8
(−9.6)		 33.1
(0.6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.17
(55.1)		 2.03
(51.6)		 2.38
(60.5)		 2.65
(67.3)		 3.37
(85.6)		 3.68
(93.5)		 3.80
(96.5)		 4.02
(102.1)		 3.26
(82.8)		 3.46
(87.9)		 3.12
(79.2)		 2.67
(67.8)		 36.61
(929.9)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 20.4
(51.8)		 15.9
(40.4)		 14.2
(36.1)		 4.6
(11.7)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 .8
(2)		 8.0
(20.3)		 18.1
(46)		 82
(208.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ .01 in) 12.8 11.3 11.5 12.5 12.8 12.7 12.1 12.1 10.6 11.9 14.0 14.3 148.6
Average snowy days (≥ .1 in) 10.8 8.4 6.6 3.1 0 0 0 0 0 .8 5.1 10.4 45.2
Source: NOAA [8]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18501,845—
18601,839−0.3%
18701,8822.3%
18802,0609.5%
18906,812230.7%
19008,44824.0%
191010,73427.1%
192010,008−6.8%
193011,30713.0%
194010,909−3.5%
195010,9220.1%
196010,387−4.9%
197010,209−1.7%
19809,824−3.8%
19909,482−3.5%
20009,291−2.0%
20109,052−2.6%
Est. 20148,837[9]−2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
[11]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 9,291 people, 4,220 households, and 2,253 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,309.4 people per square mile (892.4/km2). There were 4,477 housing units at an average density of 1,112.8 per square mile (430.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.40% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.

There were 4,220 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.0% were couples living together and joined in either marriage or civil union, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.6% were non-families. Of all households 39.2% were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 69, and 91.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,393, and the median income for a family was $42,660. Males had a median income of $33,175 versus $20,319 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,724. About 9.9% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The mayor of Barre is Thom Lauzon.[12] Barre City has a "weak mayor" form of government, and mayors serve two-year terms, with elections held in March. The city is divided into three wards, and each ward elects two members of the city council. Councilors serve staggered two-year terms, so one council seat from each ward is up for election every March.[13]

Barre City also elects a full-time city clerk and treasurer. The current Clerk and Treasurer is Carolyn S. Dawes.[14]

The city of Barre employs a full-time city manager. Steven Mackenzie, a former member of the city council, currently holds this position.[15]

Sports

Main article: Vermont Frost Heaves

A Premier Basketball League (PBL) team, the Vermont Frost Heaves, played its games in Barre at the Barre Auditorium and at the Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont. The team was originally owned by Sports Illustrated writer Alexander Wolff. A local group later assumed ownership and operated the Heaves until the team ceased operations in late 2010 and subjected its players to a dispersal draft.

The Vermont Mountaineers, a collegiate summer baseball team which belongs to the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games at nearby Montpelier Recreation Field.

Team Founded Sport League Stadium
Vermont Frost Heaves 2005 Basketball Premier Basketball League Barre Auditorium

Memorial Auditorium (Burlington)

Vermont Mountaineers 2003 Baseball New England Collegiate Baseball League Montpelier Recreational Field (Montpelier)

Notable people

The Barre World War 1 Memorial, "Youth Triumphant", by sculptor C. Paul Jennewein

Mayors of Barre

  • Emery L. Smith, 1895–1896
  • John W. Gordon, 1896–1900
  • Harvey Hersey, 1900–1901
  • Nelson D. Phelps, 1901–1902
  • Charles W. Melcher, 1902–1903
  • J. Henry Jackson, 1903–1904
  • William Barclay, 1904–1907
  • John Robins, 1907–1910
  • James Mutch, 1910–1912
  • Lucius H. Thurston, 1912–1913
  • William H. Ward, 1913–1915
  • Frank E. Langley, 1915–1916
  • Robert Gordon, 1916–1917
  • Eugene C. Glysson, 1917–1920
  • Frank E. Langley, 1920–1922
  • Waldron Shield, 1922–1926
  • Frank L. Small, 1926–1928
  • Nelson E. Lewis, 1928–1929
  • Fred W. Suitor, 1929–1931
  • Edwin Keast, 1931–1932
  • William W. LaPoint, 1932–1934
  • John A. Gordon, 1934–1939
  • Edwin F. Heininger, 1939–1944
  • Chauncey M. Willey, 1944–1954
  • Reginald T. Abare, 1954–1956
  • Cornelius O. Granai, 1956–1958
  • George N. Estivill, 1958–1964
  • Cornelius O. Granai, 1964–1966
  • Garth W. Blow, 1966–1968
  • Wilfred J. Fisher, 1968–1978
  • Vergilio L. Bonacorsi, 1978–1982
  • Robert S. Duncan, 1982–1984
  • Robert A. Bergeron, 1984–1990
  • Wilfred J. Fisher, 1990–1992
  • Harry S. Monti, 1992–1996
  • Paul A. Dupre, 1996–2000
  • Harry S. Monti, 2000–2004
  • Peter D. Anthony, 2004–2006
  • Thomas J. Lauzon, 2006–present[20]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ American Fact Finder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  4. ↑ Internet Movie Database entry, The Trouble with Harry, accessed May 14, 2011
  5. ↑ Newspaper article, Hitchcock Believes Film-Going Public Has Matured, Boston Globe, June 26, 1960
  6. ↑ Rich, Jack C., (1988) Materials and Methods of Sculpture, Dover Publications
  7. ↑ "Thirty-Five Ton Granite Cross from One Piece of Stone" Popular Mechanics, April 1936 article bottom of page 573
  8. ↑ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  9. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Vermont History Explorer". Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ City officials, Barre. Accessed 2008-02-05.
  13. ↑ Annual Report, City of Barre, Vermont, Fiscal Year July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006
  14. ↑ Contact information, Barre City Clerk, City of Barre web site, accessed May 15, 2011
  15. ↑ Board of Directors biography, Steven Mackenzie, Central Vermont Hospital web site, accessed May 15, 2011
  16. ↑ Newspaper article, Weeks Vermont's Choice, by Associated Press, published in the St. Petersburgh Independent, September 15, 1926
  17. ↑ Magazine article, Catastrophe: Vermont Vitality, Time magazine, December 12, 1927
  18. ↑ Web page, History of the 1927 Flood, University of Vermont, accessed May 14, 2011
  19. ↑ Newspaper article, Reading Woman Safe in Flooded Barre, Reading Eagle, November 7, 1927
  20. ↑ Annual report, City of Barre, Vermont, Fiscal Year July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barre (city), Vermont.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Barre.

Sites of interest

Coordinates: 44°11′41″N 72°30′23″W / 44.19464°N 72.5065°W / 44.19464; -72.5065

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