One of Vermont’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar

Vermont towns paint the picture of being peaceful, pastoral wonderlands filled with nature. But one quirky town in Vermont doesn’t quite fit that frame, instead offering an artistically-minded, plucky, former quarry town with many things to do and see. Rutland has a bit of everything, but everyone seems to skip over it.

Where Is Rutland and Why Is It So Unique?

Located in central Vermont, Rutland’s population exploded in the 1830s when marble deposits were found in the area. As one of the largest exporters of marble in the world at the time, the town became connected to railroads and its size only grew — but always with a focus on industry. The third-largest town in Vermont (although that isn’t saying much with less than 20,000 residents), the area soon gained a reputation in the '80s for being "Rutvegas." This was due to the presence of nightlife and more commercialized businesses in the area, which stood in striking contrast to the more quaint, tiny Vermont towns nearby.

Today, the Las Vegas comparison certainly doesn’t seem to fit, but there’s no doubt that the town feels different than its storybook-like neighbor towns. The grime of industry still exists, but the area hosts a community college, and Vermont State College is less than thirty minutes away by car. This means that youthful energy has very much infiltrated the town, creating an interesting mix between an industrial past and a creative present, where festivals and events are at the core of the well-connected town. 

What It’s Like to Visit This Underrated Town in Vermont

Rutland has its past written all over its landmarks, with marble embedded in the streets, in the buildings, and in sculptures around town. Much of the architecture near the center of town, especially Merchant’s Row, still looks like something out of the 1800s. But, as mentioned, when younger generations came in, they put their mark on the town as well. The historic Paramount Theater has been restored, in addition to other buildings, and the industrial look of the city has been made prettier, softer in a way. 

But, the majority of change has come due to being named-dropped in one of the most unlikely places imaginable: the comic book world. Yes, Rutland may be a name that many have heard before from the pages of either a DC or Marvel comic book. The reason for this can be credited back to two things: Halloween and friendship. To be more specific, Rutland is known for festivals, and in the '70s, the journalist Tom Fagan had his friends attend the Halloween Parade with him. These friends enjoyed themselves immensely, and just so happened to be comic book writers for DC and Marvel. Today, Rutland is in these comics alongside the writer’s names. In addition to the Halloween festival, there’s also a rodeo, the Vermont State Fair, and the year-round farmers market!

Why It’s Still Flying Under the Radar

This unusual town in Vermont has the problem of being, well, from Vermont. Towns in Vermont have a very specific type of stereotype attached to them. They’re quaint, small, charming, overflowing with nature, pristine, and seem like something out of a storybook. Rutland is… not that. It’s still a charming town with lots of beauty; there’s no mistake about that. But tourists who come in are looking for the idyllic Vermont experience, so they likely won’t choose Rutland. Rutland is the place that has everything anyone might need, but it’s not the place people want to go, and sometimes even New England locals feel that way. 

Of course, not choosing Rutland because you want a stereotypical Vermont experience would be a mistake. This gritty, creative town with an active community is steeped in history and has a calendar packed with activities. Plus, for DC and Marvel fans, the Halloween festival is the place to be in order to fulfill any inward fangirl/boy dreams!