The "smallest city in the U.S." was once in the running for the site of Vermont's new capitol building. Vergennes was created as a planned community in 1788 from land donated by Ferrisburgh, Panton and what was then part of New Haven. The brainchild of Ethan Allen, Vergennes bears the namesake of an obscure French count. It is perfectly rectangular, as is the city park, at the heart of town. Everything is within reach. Its downtown architecture is a reminder that Vergennes was once an economic force in Addison County. Otter Creek flows north from Rutland County and at Vergennes was the site of a shipbuilding effort that helped win the War of 1812. It spawned numerous enterprises that fueled the local economy just as the creek's hydro power fueled machinery. The city woke up to the value of its waterfront in the 1990s. Today, there is a junior fishing derby there in June and a pretty place to tie up a cabin cruiser from spring to fall. In late May, Vergennes holds one of the most popular Memorial Day celebrations in the state, with a rifle salute and sounding of taps known to bring a tear to the eye.
