Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-02-05
BUILDING UP VERMONT


community building. We are advocating
civic centers for our cities and larger viii
iages. This is as it should be. Burling-
ton and every other city need more of the
inunity pep"
We do not realize the need of similar
movements for the upbuilding of rural
communities that have been losing in
dustries as well as inhabitants under the
inexorable rule of modern transportation
development and the consequent shifting
Of commercial ccnters. Nor do we fully
appreciate the meaning of new blood
from other States coming to us through
summer residents and tourists who are
certain sooner or later to become
residents through the irresistible drawing
power of Vermont's scenic beauties.
AS an illustration of the value of com.
munity spirit of non-resldents. of which
the number is rapidly increasing in
various sections Of Vermont, and especial
ly in Windham county, the colony on
Ames Hill deserves more than a passing
notice. Ames Hill, so called, from the
fact that several families by the name
OF Ames early settled there, is about half
dozen miles west of Brattleboro on the
old stage road leading to Wilmington and
Bennington and the settlement is near the
top Of the hill some 1000 feet above the
sea level.
The location is a most commanding one,
with survey of the Connecticut valley
and the slightly hills of Vermont, New
Hampshire and Massachusetts. in fact
affording one Of the most beautiful loca-
lions in the State. Here in the past de-
cade has gradually grown up delightful
colony of "city folk" who have, from
time to time, secured adjoining farms and
tracts on which they have improved the
buildings and in many cases built new
until to-day the summer community
numbers nearly 100 congenial people.
OF course these people identify them
ner that is pleasing and helpful in many
ways. They buy their supplies from the
merchants of Brattleboro while they
patronize their entertainments and in fact
contribute most beautifully to the ex-
chequers Of the business interests Of the
county. One element of their enjoy
ment is found in motoring about the
State, patronizing the hotels and summer
entertainments here and there provided
by residents of different towns
This particular colony of summer
visitors gradually sprang from an hum
BILE beginning when the late A. p Chlds
and his brother Major F. w. Childs of
Brattleboro purchased several years ago,
the old Ames farm, socalled of the late
Prof. William B. Clark Of John Hopkins
University at Baltimore. There they Of
fered accommodation to a few personal
friends who found the attractive sur
roundings with the purest of water and
air so beneficial as to inspire recon-
InenOHtlOnS 10 OtnerS VINO were, IN turn,
equally delighted with the surroundings
and the opportunity for social and health
full recreation.
These people come early and remain
late into the Autumn. thus receiving
several months benefit from the many
advantages which the Green Mountains
afford
This colony is composed of prominent
families who entertain a large number Of
friends, all OF whom are equally enthu-
siastic over the charms of Vermont hills
and valleys and especially it's pure water
and its wonderfully picturesque drives
That the townspeople appreciate these
visitors is shown in the many acts of
courtesy offered them and especially in
the matter Of affording an excellent road
from West Brattleboro to the top of the
mountain over which continuous traffic
is seen not only of the residents them
selves but Of scores of visitors
This summer colony not only affords a
large income to the village merchants
but their estates pay a sizab BILE proportion
of the taxes of the little town of Marl-
boro while their contributions to the
necessities of the late war have been
exceedingly helpful in carrying several
Of the towns lover the top" in their ef-
forts to fill their several allotments
Greensboros thriving summer colony
that has come to be veritable village
with it's church and its school and its
auditorium and lecture courses. attracting
college professors and other desirable
folk from all parts of the country is an
other illustration of what can be done
in Vermont.
What these little communities have
succeeded in accomplishing could be
duplicated in many sections of our state
with the right spirit of ncghborly interest
and helpfulness.
The Vermont department of publicity
which is under the control Of Secretary
of State Black and which is directly
supervised by Walter II, Crockett Of the
University Of Vermont, is doing a grand
work IN advertising the attractions of the
Green Mountain region. Why should not
our commonwealth start an organized
movement for the upbuilding of other
\ ...t. II