When Danville Hosted the Legislature: A Hill Town’s Moment in 1805
Joshua Smith
December 04, 2025
In the early years of the 19th century, when most of Caledonia County’s towns were still more forest than farmland, the small hill village of Danville, Vermont, briefly stood at the center of the state’s political life. For one remarkable session in 1805, the Vermont General Assembly convened in Danville’s meetinghouse—transforming a quiet farming community into the seat of state government.
Danville had been chartered in 1786, and by 1805 it was a tidy crossroads village with barely twenty homes, a few shops, and a sturdy meetinghouse on the green. Yet that fall, the sound of wagon wheels and the clatter of horse hooves filled the muddy streets as lawmakers, clerks, and curious onlookers poured into town. For several weeks, this modest settlement of farmers and tradesmen became the nerve center of Vermont.
The meetinghouse, which still stands today, was the pride of the community. Built for both worship and civic gatherings, it featured box pews, a high pulpit, and a broad gallery. It was heated only by the body warmth of its occupants, and the legislators—used to the comforts of Montpelier and Windsor—wrapped themselves in cloaks against the chill. But the setting suited Vermont’s character: practical, plain, and independent.
Records from the period suggest that taverns and boarding houses did brisk business that month. With only one inn, many delegates found lodging with local families. Danville’s residents reportedly offered warm meals, stabling for horses, and even spare blankets. For many townspeople, it was the first time they’d met lawmakers in person—a reminder that the state’s early government was as close to its citizens as the next farmhouse down the road.
Among the delegates were representatives from across Vermont’s young counties, debating issues of taxation, land claims, and education. Though few of their resolutions were grand, their presence was symbolic. It showed that even a small and remote town could rise to the occasion when called upon.
Danville’s role as Caledonia County’s first shire town added to its prestige. The North Star newspaper, founded shortly after the legislative session, became one of the first weeklies in northern Vermont. Through its pages, news of the legislature’s work spread far beyond the village green. For a short time, Danville was not just a waypoint—it was a voice in the state’s democratic experiment.
By mid-century, railroads and trade shifted political life toward larger towns. St. Johnsbury grew rapidly, and Danville returned to a quieter rhythm. But the village’s layout—green, church, and courthouse-style meetinghouse—still tells the story of that autumn when Vermont’s government met on a hilltop.
Today, standing on the green with the church bell above and the mountains beyond, it’s easy to imagine that brief flurry of activity. A place where townsfolk opened their homes to legislators, where laws were read aloud by lantern light, and where a community of farmers played host to the affairs of a state.
Sources
Danville Historical Society, About Danville, Vermont.
Christopher Agnew, An Introduction to the History of Danville, Vermont, 1786–1986.
Vermont History Explorer, “Mom, There’s a Legislator in Our Kitchen!”
Caledonia County History and Genealogy Records (Vermont RootsWeb Archive).
Danville had been chartered in 1786, and by 1805 it was a tidy crossroads village with barely twenty homes, a few shops, and a sturdy meetinghouse on the green. Yet that fall, the sound of wagon wheels and the clatter of horse hooves filled the muddy streets as lawmakers, clerks, and curious onlookers poured into town. For several weeks, this modest settlement of farmers and tradesmen became the nerve center of Vermont.
The meetinghouse, which still stands today, was the pride of the community. Built for both worship and civic gatherings, it featured box pews, a high pulpit, and a broad gallery. It was heated only by the body warmth of its occupants, and the legislators—used to the comforts of Montpelier and Windsor—wrapped themselves in cloaks against the chill. But the setting suited Vermont’s character: practical, plain, and independent.
Records from the period suggest that taverns and boarding houses did brisk business that month. With only one inn, many delegates found lodging with local families. Danville’s residents reportedly offered warm meals, stabling for horses, and even spare blankets. For many townspeople, it was the first time they’d met lawmakers in person—a reminder that the state’s early government was as close to its citizens as the next farmhouse down the road.
Among the delegates were representatives from across Vermont’s young counties, debating issues of taxation, land claims, and education. Though few of their resolutions were grand, their presence was symbolic. It showed that even a small and remote town could rise to the occasion when called upon.
Danville’s role as Caledonia County’s first shire town added to its prestige. The North Star newspaper, founded shortly after the legislative session, became one of the first weeklies in northern Vermont. Through its pages, news of the legislature’s work spread far beyond the village green. For a short time, Danville was not just a waypoint—it was a voice in the state’s democratic experiment.
By mid-century, railroads and trade shifted political life toward larger towns. St. Johnsbury grew rapidly, and Danville returned to a quieter rhythm. But the village’s layout—green, church, and courthouse-style meetinghouse—still tells the story of that autumn when Vermont’s government met on a hilltop.
Today, standing on the green with the church bell above and the mountains beyond, it’s easy to imagine that brief flurry of activity. A place where townsfolk opened their homes to legislators, where laws were read aloud by lantern light, and where a community of farmers played host to the affairs of a state.
Sources
Danville Historical Society, About Danville, Vermont.
Christopher Agnew, An Introduction to the History of Danville, Vermont, 1786–1986.
Vermont History Explorer, “Mom, There’s a Legislator in Our Kitchen!”
Caledonia County History and Genealogy Records (Vermont RootsWeb Archive).
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