If you’re looking for a historic town in VT that is a feast for the senses, look no further than Bellows Falls. This incorporated village in the town of Rockingham has some interesting firsts, incredible architecture and wonderful restaurants that offer fresh and delicious meals. Enjoy the many unique shops, walking tours, artisan open studios and even a farmers market that is indoors in the winter and outside during the warmer months. Let’s take a look at this lovely town that’s bursting with history!
Welcome to Bellows Falls - A friendly place to hang your hat.
There are many other historical spots such as the canal, bridges and spectacular neighborhoods that are listed as historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places.
The canal was dug by a British-owned company from 1791-1802. The original canal was 22 feet wide and four feet deep. It had 9 locks (a device used for raising and lowering boats over stretches of water) each 75 feet long and 20 feet wide. This allowed shipping to go around the Great Falls in the Connecticut River by being lifted 52 feet around the gorge. However, river traffic declined after railroads were built to the Connecticut Valley in 1849.
By 1858 the canal had become used almost exclusively for water power to run the paper mills which became established there.
