Seniors Visit The Granite Center

Yes, senior travelers, that’s Barre, Vermont, the self-proclaimed “Granite Center of the World”. Barre Gray granite is sought after worldwide for its fine grain, even texture, and superior weather resistance.

Many sculpture artists prefer it for outdoor sculpture. In 1936 the granite quarry in Barre carved out a 35-ton cross from one section of stone in the quarry. Barre is called The Rock Of Ages.

Initially established with the discovery of vast granite deposits at Millstone Hill soon after the War of 1812, the granite industry and the city itself saw a boom with the arrival of the railroad.

 Seniors Visit A Vast Granite Deposit

The fame of this vast deposit of granite, which some geologists say is 4 miles long, 2 miles wide and 10 miles deep, soon spread to Europe and Canada. Large numbers of people migrated to Barre and the population increased from 2,060 in 1880, to 10,000 in 1894. By the turn of the century, Barre was noted as the state’s most diverse municipality.

On November 6, 1780, the land was granted to William Williams and 64 others. Originally called Wildersburgh, it included what is today both the town and city of Barre.

It was first settled in 1788 by John Goldsbury and Samuel Rodgers, together with their families. But dissatisfied with the name Wildersburgh, citizens renamed the town after Isaac Barré, a champion of the American Colonies. In 1895, 4.0 square miles within the town was set off and incorporated as the separate city.

Seniors Enjoy The Parks And Historic District

While in Barre, senior visitors can enjoy the Allis State Park, Waterbury Center State Park, Little River State Park, and Seyon Ranch State Park. The local parks include the Vermont City Park and Currier Park.

Senior visitors  can also spend time investigating the Barre Downtown Historic District. The Vermont Granite Museum of Barre provides absorbing insights into the history of this area. History buffs should also visit the Vermont Historical Society Museum and State Capitol.

Local celebrations include Granite Festival and Homecoming Days. Senior visitors enjoy walking through Hope Cemetery taking in all the granite sculptures.

Cliff diving is popular, but be sure you know what you are doing before you leap off! Alfred Hitchcock’s movie The Trouble With Harry premiered at the Paramount Theater in Barre on September 27, 1955.

So set your GPS for Barre, Vermont and enjoy the famous Granite quarry that put the city on the map years ago. -jeb