Development and Growth

The construction of Route 128 in 1793, following a petition from residents in Essex and Fairfax, marked a significant development for Westford¹. In 1795, a sawmill was established near the town center, where the main post road crossed the Browns River. This sawmill, along with a forge and grist mill, provided employment and encouraged further settlement¹.

In 1809, a temporary Congregational Church was erected on a flat site at the western end of the common¹. The Browns River, winding through the village and flowing north, added to the town’s picturesque landscapes, which remain a defining feature of Westford today¹.

Agricultural Roots

Westford has always been an agricultural town. In an 1881 gazetteer listing of 311 households, only 64 did not list farming as an occupation¹. Today, only one active dairy farm remains in the town¹. The town’s first school districts were established in 1797, and by the 1960s, the village school was serving nearly all the children in town¹. Only one of the old one-room schoolhouses still stands¹.

Community and Infrastructure

Westford’s library was founded in 1895-96, and the Baptist, Congregational, and Methodist churches were organized between 1798 and 1821¹. The lovely Brick Meeting House, built in 1822 as a Baptist Church, stands at one end of the Town Common and was renovated in the 1970s¹. The Common itself, two and one-half acres in size, was given to the town by the estate of Elizabeth Camp in 1819¹.

The Westford Market, located in the center of the village for almost 200 years, closed its doors in 2013. However, a new market, the Westford Country Store and Cafe, opened in 2020 on another property on the Common¹. Cambridge Road, surveyed in the late 1820s, connected Burlington to Derby and was first hard-surfaced in the 1940s¹. Improvements to Route 128 in 1989 further enhanced access to Westford¹.

Modern Developments

Electricity came to Westford in the spring of 1921, although electric lines were not installed in the more remote parts of town until 1935¹. Today, Westford continues to balance its rich historical heritage with modern developments. The town’s population has grown to 2,029, and it remains a community that values its historical roots while looking towards the future¹.

Conclusion

Westford, Vermont, is a town with a rich history that reflects the broader story of rural America. From its early days as a New Hampshire grant to its development as an agricultural hub, Westford has maintained its charm and community spirit. The town’s historical landmarks, such as the Brick Meeting House and the Browns River, continue to be cherished by residents and visitors alike. As Westford moves forward, it does so with a deep appreciation for its past and a hopeful outlook for its future.

¹: Westford Town History