23-610: The Brandon State School , also known historically as the Brandon Training School and the Vermont State School for Feeble Minded Children , was a psychiatric facility for the care and treatment of children in Brandon, Vermont . Founded in 1915, it was Vermont's first state-funded residential facility for the care of the mentally handicapped. It was closed in 1993, a consequence of changing policies in
46-465: Is a town in Rutland County , Vermont , United States . As of the 2020 census , the population was 4,129. On October 20, 1761, the town of Neshobe was chartered to Capt. Josiah Powers. In October 1784, the name of the town was changed to Brandon by an act of the legislature. Brandon is a study in early American architecture and Vermont history. When the first settlers came to the area in
69-463: Is home to renowned folk artist Warren Kimble and over 50 other local artists. There is also a mix of local wineries, folk artists, fabric artists, computer artists, workers in traditional decorative arts, watercolor, jewellery, pottery, glass, sculpture, print makers, a historic barn refurbished into a functioning opera house, and photographers. Brandon is home to Neshobe Elementary school (Pre-K to 6) and Otter Valley Union High School (7–12). Before
92-549: Is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km ), or 0.12%, is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 3,917 people, 1,572 households, and 1,097 families residing in the town. The population density was 97.6 people per square mile (37.7/km ). There were 1,710 housing units at an average density of 42.6 per square mile (16.5/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 98.85% White , 0.10% Black or African American , 0.18% Native American , 0.15% Asian , and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.20% of
115-538: Is located at 43°47′53″N 73°5′11″W / 43.79806°N 73.08639°W / 43.79806; -73.08639 (43.798056, 73.086389). According to the United States Census Bureau , the CDP has a total area of 7.4 km (2.9 sq mi), all land. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,684 people, 718 households, and 463 families residing in the CDP. The population density
138-562: The Howe scale, as well as Brandon paints, wood products and marble. During its century of rapid growth, Brandon Village evolved a unique village plan. The historic Crown Point military road came through Brandon to connect Lake Champlain to the Atlantic coast. In the ensuing decades, government and individuals developed commercial streets at the core which radiated out from the greens lined with residences leading to farms, mines and quarries in
161-515: The Union High School was constructed, local students attended Brandon High School. Brandon High School was built in 1916 but the school had been in operation since the 19th century. Brandon High School closed in 1961 when Otter Valley Union High School opened. The time that Brandon High School closed was during a wave of consolidation that swept rural areas during the second half of the 20th century. There have since been efforts to convert
184-420: The age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.86. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under
207-459: The age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $ 34,609, and the median income for a family was $ 44,514. Males had a median income of $ 28,382 versus $ 22,159 for females. The per capita income for
230-403: The average family size was 2.91. In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males. The median income for a household in the town
253-698: The electric motor, was born and lived in Brandon. As the early industries began to decline, dairying, stock breeding and tourism became increasingly important and ensured the economic survival of Brandon in the 20th century. The establishment of the Brandon Training School in 1915 was a significant event, providing many employment opportunities for area residents. At its height, the Training School served over 600 Vermont residents. Changes in policy and social service practices led to closing
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#1732794070940276-508: The estate of Henry Watson, located west of U.S. Route 7 about one mile northwest of Brandon village . In 1917 the state authorized the construction of a dormitory, along with an administration building and a service building, and developed plans for additional facilities. By the late 1930s, the school, renamed the Brandon State School in 1929, had four dormitories, classroom buildings, and other support facilities. The school
299-578: The facility in November 1993. The campus, now called Park Village, is used for a variety of purposes including residential, industrial, and institutional uses. Brandon's historic downtown , with its entire core of 243 buildings, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town of Brandon has a total area of 40.2 square miles (104 km ), of which 40.1 square miles (104 km )
322-410: The mid-1770s, they established the village of Neshobe. The area was rich in natural resources with excellent farmland along the rivers and abundant supplies of timber and minerals. The town flourished during the 1800s with several industries relying on the key resources of waterpower, iron ore and marble. The coming of the railroad in 1849 enabled the manufacture and shipping of iron-based products such as
345-460: The old school building into apartments or condominiums . Beginning in the spring of 2017, a project named "Segment 6" was initiated, promising "improved streetscape, new traffic pattern, buried wires, better parking, beautiful parks, modern and safe downtown sidewalks, benches, decorative streetlights, and a 21st century underbelly." Brandon (CDP), Vermont Brandon is an unincorporated village and census-designated place (CDP) in
368-409: The population. There were 1,572 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and
391-616: The town of Brandon , Rutland County, Vermont , United States. As of the 2020 census , the population was 1,727. Most of the village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Brandon Village Historic District . In 1976, approximately 300 acres (120 ha) along U.S. Route 7 in Brandon and its vicinity were listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places . The district includes nearly 250 buildings significant for their history and their architecture. Brandon
414-502: The town. Pearl and Park streets were laid out to be suitable for militia training, resulting in broad, tree-shaded streets with deep front yards. Statesman Stephen A. Douglas was born in Brandon, and his birthplace is now the Brandon Museum as well as the town's Visitor Center. Douglas returned in 1860 to inform a crowd that Brandon was a good place to be born and leave. Thomas Davenport , proclaimed by some to have invented
437-492: The treatment and care of such individuals. The surviving buildings of the property, now converted to other uses, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The school was established as the Vermont State School for Feeble Minded Children by an act of the state legislature in 1912, and was formally opened in 1915 on this campus, which then consisted of 300 acres (120 ha) purchased from
460-402: Was $ 35,810, and the median income for a family was $ 42,455. Males had a median income of $ 27,949 versus $ 22,576 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 20,516. About 7.3% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over. Proclaimed by the governor as the "Art and Soul" of Vermont, Brandon
483-431: Was 228.1 people/km (591 people/sq mi). There were 781 housing units at an average density of 105.8 units/km (274 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.46% White , 0.06% Black or African American , 0.24% Native American , 0.12% Asian , and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.18% of the population. There were 718 households, out of which 28.8% had children under
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#1732794070940506-548: Was a positive force for change for the patients at Brandon Training School. Under his leadership, the Training School began to place more and more residents into community housing. The school was permanently closed in 1993. The school's campus, many of its buildings handsome Colonial Revival structures designed by Burlington architect Frank Lyman Austin, have since been repurposed into apartments and commercial facilities. [REDACTED] Media related to Brandon State School at Wikimedia Commons Brandon, Vermont Brandon
529-489: Was again renamed, to the Brandon Training School, in 1956. In the late 1960s and 1970s, federal requirements forced the school to increase employee/student ratios, and resulted in a gradual shift in treatment of mentally handicapped youth to smaller group home settings scattered across the state. Raymond Mulcahy, who was the Superintendent during this time period, was a strong advocate for de-institutionalization and
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