20 Trivial Facts About Vermont

Coming to visit us in Vermont? Never been here before? Or think you know it all since you know about Ben & Jerry’s, Bernie Sanders, and cheese? 

Here’s 20 neat facts about Vermont you may not have known:

• A century ago 80 percent of the state was deforested by the lumber industry. Today, more than 78% of the state is covered by trees. 
• Although it’s the only New England state that doesn’t touch the ocean, two big fossil finds were made in Vermont, including an ancient Beluga whale.
• Vermont was one of the few U.S. states to be a republic prior to its admission to the union.
• In addition to “The Green Mountain State,” Vermont is also called the “14th Star State” because it was the first added after the original 13 colonies. (We also have a great local beer called 14th Star).
• 55% of the state’s roads are still dirt roads.
• The 45th parallel is just a few miles from the Phineas Swann. You can stand on it and be exactly halfway between the equator and the North Pole. 
• The most northern military engagement of the Civil War occurred in St. Albans, Vermont. 
• Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) was born and grew up in Vermont.
• Vermont is the only state to never have produced an NBA player.
• Vermont & New Hampshire are on separate tectonic plates, and 200 million years ago were hundreds of miles apart. Likewise, New York State is on a separate tectonic plate. 
• The town of Elmore still has and uses a one-room schoolhouse.
• Vermont was the first state to abolish slavery & legalize same-sex unions.
• Retiring Vermont U.S. Senator Pat Leahy has cameos in all of the modern Batman movies.
• Billboards are illegal in Vermont, and have been so since 1968. You will not see one on your drive to the Phineas Swann.
• Vermont has one cow for every three people. 
• None of the Hallmark holiday movies set in Vermont are actually filmed in Vermont.
• Vermont looks like a tiny state, but it’s actually the second-largest New England state, behind Maine. 
• In population, Vermont is the second-smallest state in the nation, behind only Wyoming.
• Until 1996, Vermont was the only state without a Walmart.
• Not surprisingly, there are no skyscrapers in Vermont. The tallest building is only 11 stories.