Hardwick, Vermont

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Hardwick, Vermont

North Main Street, Hardwick Vermont

Hardwick is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,174 at the 2000 census.

Hardwick, Vermont is "the Gateway to Vermont's magical Northeast Kingdom". This area has been named “one of the 1,000 places to see before you die”.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Notable residents
5 External links

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 100.7 km² (38.9 mi²). 99.8 km² (38.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (0.93%) is water.

The town of Hardwick is a commercial center for the region's farming population. Hardwick is famous for majestic scenery and is within ten miles of 45 lakes and ponds.

The Lamoille River runs through Hardwick and offers great fly fishing spots. The Lamoille is also a popular place to launch your kayak or canoe. Hardwick boasts Mackville Beach, many parks, excellent hunting, fishing, a variety of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 3,174 people, 1,216 households, and 854 families residing in the town. The population density was 31.8/km² (82.4/mi²). There were 1,407 housing units at an average density of 14.1/km² (36.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.89% White, 0.06% African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.41% of the population.

There were 1,216 households out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the town the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,636, and the median income for a family was $39,278. Males had a median income of $27,188 versus $21,732 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,813. About 10.5% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Since the late 19th century, Hardwick has served as an industrial center. Hardwick was once known as the "Granite Center of the World." Buildings around the country made with Hardwick granite include: Pennsylvania State Capitol, Chicago City Hall, US Post Office Building in Washington, DC, and many other city halls in America.

During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington ordered the construction of "the Bayley-Hazen Military Road". The road provided access to the interior of Vermont, and aided in the development and settlement of Hardwick and East Hardwick.

[edit] Notable residents

Dorman Bridoman Eaton, lawyer and author of the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883.
Lee E. Emerson, 69th Governor of the State of Vermont, was born here
Jim Fixx, the original nationally known guru of jogging in the 1970s, nearly destroyed this exercise for Americans of the time when he died near Hardwick of a sudden heart attack in 1984, just after a run. A monument stands to his memory in Hardwick Memorial Park.
David H. Nichols, Colorado Lieutenant Governor, Mexican-War Veteran, Hardwick, VT native.