Vermont Inn at Saxtons River | Bed and Breakfast Restaurant in Southern Vermont

AAA three diamond awarded accommodations

History

The "Saxtons River Hotel" was erected in 1817 by Captain Jonathan Barron, and completed by Colonel Carter Whitcomb.

During various years, a hall in this building was occupied by the Masonic Fraternity of the town, and it was here, on June 23, 1828, that the last meeting of the order was held previous to the suspension of meetings for 30 years, caused by the anti-masonic wave that swept across the country.

The hotel has seen many a lively social assembly, and it was the rendezvous of the Rockingham Company of the Twelfth Vermont Regiment in 1861.

In September of 1856, Abel K. Wilder became the owner and proprietor of the hotel, and it remained in the hands of the family until the location was purchased by the builders of the present structure in 1903.

It was written of the Hotel: "The travelling public are perfectly familiar with it. There is no fuss and feathers of extra style. Comfort and quiet are sought. It is the type of the old- fashioned, comfortable village hotel."

Known in 1903, as the Hotel Kimball, the "new" establishment was owned by the Saxtons River Hotel Company", which was composed of all local residents. The Vermont Academy, established in 1876, and located behind the Inn, built the Alumni Hall dormitory in 1921. Female students, who had been living at the Inn moved onto campus.

The Inn has always been the "center" of town at Saxtons River, which was first settled in 1783. The town attracted many because of the presence of three waterfalls, then the principal source of power for industry. At one time, the village boasted a foundry, a grist mill, textile mill, sawmill, wheelwright shop, soapstone plant, sandpaper shop, two hotels and two churches.		In 1896, the first telephone office and exchange was housed upstairs over the store which subsequently became the Fuller Hardware Company. 1900 saw the stage line from Bellows Falls given up and the Bellows Falls and Saxtons River Street Railway was opened. Barber Park, located midway between the two villages, became a mecca for old and young who traveled there in summer in open trolleys.
Over the years, various owners have improved the structure, and today, as in the 19th century, the Inn is a haven for those who seek quiet country elegance, good food, and relaxation.