We’re smart and quirky, and we certainly know a thing or two about DIY. Vermont may be on the map for things like maple syrup, artisan cheeses, craft beer and, of course, Bernie Sanders, but there is much more to the 802 than meets the eye. We’ve gathered some fascinating facts about VT that make us smile from ear to ear at how cool we really are, and we think you’ll agree. Be sure to add your favorite Vermont facts in the comments below!
- Ben & Jerry’s gives their ice cream waste to local farmers…
Flickr/mawashi28 The farmers use it to feed the hogs who love every flavor EXCEPT Mint Oreo.
- Until fairly recently, it was pretty hard to get a drivers license with your photo.
Flickr/State Farm You had to go to Montpelier if you wanted your picture on your license. The standard issued licenses were light green, flimsy and the ink rubbed off pretty easily. Does anyone have a picture of their old license? Everyone we know lovingly saved theirs… until it fell apart.
- Vermont was its own country for a while.
Flickr/Don Shall Vermont established its independence and between 1777 and 1791, when we became the 14th state. Vermont was truly independent, it even had its own coins and its own postal service!
- In fact….
Flickr/UConn Library MAGIC At one time or another, both New York and New Hampshire claimed Vermont as part of them.
- Vermont was the last state to get a Walmart.
Flickr/Mike Mozart It didn’t pop up until 1996 and now there are quite a few. We’re also the only state that doesn’t have a Target, but that will change in 2018. For more information about Target’s arrival click here.
- Snow golf was invented in Dummerston, along with a few other interesting things…
Flickr/Andy Cross Rudyard Kipling invented snow golf at his home in Dummerston, which is also the site of the first tennis court in VT as well as where he wrote his famous novel “The Jungle Book.”
For more information about this home (which you can even rent out!) click here.
- Happy Birthday Mr. President!
Flickr/Doug Kerr President Calvin Coolidge is the only president whose birthday is on July 4!
- Montpelier is the only state capital without a McDonalds.
Flickr/Mike Mozart Many people knew this one, but we’re pretty darn happy about it.
- In other Montpelier news, it’s the smallest state capital in the nation.
Flickr/Michel There are only 7,700 people living in the capital of the Green Mountain State. If you think that places like Juneau, Alaska would have less people, get this: Juneau is the 6th smallest… and has 30,796 people. That’s almost 4 times as many people!
- Vermont is the biggest producer of maple syrup in the country.
butforthesky.com Again, not a surprising fact really. But we’re darn proud of it!
- Give this guy a hand!
Flickr/Bryan Alexandar In 1886, the race for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Vermont included Ebenezer J. Ormsbee and Levi K. Fuller, and both of these men were one-armed amputees. Clearly they had a good sense of humor along with their political savvy, as their campaign slogan was “two good arms between the two of us.”
If you enjoy these fascinating facts about VT, let’s set the record straight on whether there are more cows in Vermont than people. Here are some interesting facts, but know that once upon a time, yes, there were more cows than people. But see what else we found!
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Flickr/mawashi28
The farmers use it to feed the hogs who love every flavor EXCEPT Mint Oreo.
Flickr/State Farm
You had to go to Montpelier if you wanted your picture on your license. The standard issued licenses were light green, flimsy and the ink rubbed off pretty easily. Does anyone have a picture of their old license? Everyone we know lovingly saved theirs… until it fell apart.
Flickr/Don Shall
Vermont established its independence and between 1777 and 1791, when we became the 14th state. Vermont was truly independent, it even had its own coins and its own postal service!
Flickr/UConn Library MAGIC
At one time or another, both New York and New Hampshire claimed Vermont as part of them.
Flickr/Mike Mozart
It didn’t pop up until 1996 and now there are quite a few. We’re also the only state that doesn’t have a Target, but that will change in 2018. For more information about Target’s arrival click here.
Flickr/Andy Cross
Rudyard Kipling invented snow golf at his home in Dummerston, which is also the site of the first tennis court in VT as well as where he wrote his famous novel “The Jungle Book.”
For more information about this home (which you can even rent out!) click here.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
President Calvin Coolidge is the only president whose birthday is on July 4!
Many people knew this one, but we’re pretty darn happy about it.
Flickr/Michel
There are only 7,700 people living in the capital of the Green Mountain State. If you think that places like Juneau, Alaska would have less people, get this: Juneau is the 6th smallest… and has 30,796 people. That’s almost 4 times as many people!
butforthesky.com
Again, not a surprising fact really. But we’re darn proud of it!
Flickr/Bryan Alexandar
In 1886, the race for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Vermont included Ebenezer J. Ormsbee and Levi K. Fuller, and both of these men were one-armed amputees. Clearly they had a good sense of humor along with their political savvy, as their campaign slogan was “two good arms between the two of us.”
