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Posted in Vermont Attractions, Small Towns April 06, 2017 by Kristin Grimes

The Ruins In The Middle Of This Vermont Town Are Hauntingly Beautiful

Middlebury is full of fantastic arts, architecture and education, and the bustling downtown has a little something for everyone to enjoy. Right through the middle of town you’ll find a powerful river and waterfall, as well as ruins that are both historic and unusual. Sure, you’ll find various ruins throughout Vermont, but certainly not many in such a magnificent downtown setting!

Otter Creek is one of the largest rivers in Vermont and is roughly 112 miles long.

One of the most incredible features of the creek is the waterfall in the middle of downtown of Middlebury.

Many people stop and admire the falls as well as Battell Bridge, which is a gorgeous stone structure with three magnificent arches.

But the ruins next to the bridge is equally beautiful and shouldn’t be overlooked.

These are the ruins of an abandoned turbine power station which sit next to the falls.

The southernmost foundation and two low floors was saved from demolition after the great fire of 1891 burned much of the town center.

This is part of the old hydro power sluice which was damaged in the Great Flood of 1927.

This mechanism is an ice glazed, wrought iron control wheel for a sluice gate circa 1830s which is alongside the falls of the to aid in harnessing water power.

Local legends say this was once a safe-house on the Underground Railroad.

The area at the base of the falls was once known as "Frog Hollow" and housed several stone mill buildings.

The creek bed is eroding many of the nearby structures, so plan a trip to see these ruins yourself before nature reclaims them.

If abandoned places intrigues you, enjoy this road trip to Vermont’s most abandoned places.

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Kristin Grimes

Kristin Grimes lives in Vermont, is a freelance writer and busy MOM (Manager of Madness) and WIFE (Washing, Ironing, Feeding, Etc.)