Monpelier, VT

Montpelier has the distinction of being the smallest state capital in the United States, with a population of just over 8,000 people. It's a small town with big city amenities - a lively arts and music scene, great restaurants (largely due to the presence of the New England Culinary Institute), excellent schools, and an active community life - there are lots of opportunities to participate in local government, recreation, the faith and wisdom communities, and healthy lifestyles.

The City of Montpelier was originally chartered in 1781 as a grant to settlers from Massachusetts. The first settlement was established along the North Branch in 1787, during the time Vermont was an independent republic. Original grantors envisioned the main portion of the town growing on high ground around Montpelier Center, but the availability of transportation routes and mill sites attracted early settlement along the riverbanks. By the time statehood was achieved, and the settlement was organized as a town, Montpelier had a population of 113. The early years of the community saw rapid growth with an influx of settlers who built saw and grist mills, roads, schools, churches and inns. By 1805 the town had a population of 1200.

The City grew slowly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century during the period of intensive out-migration from the State to new lands in the West, or to industrial centers elsewhere in New England. Montpelier was already established as a government, market, service and industrial center in the region. When the automobile arrived, new state highways were routed to the City limits, and traffic then circulated through the original streets of the City.

The City has grown slowly since the mid-nineteenth century, but it has remained a center for government, commerce, industry and services. In recent years development has been influenced by expansion of the state government and associated services as well as by the financial services industry. The City remains a regional center for arts and entertainment.