M O N T P E L I E R ,   V E R M O N T

Monday, October 4, 2004

Community: #7

City Manager's Office: 39 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm (eastern)

Phone: (802) 223-9502

Link: City Website

Population: 8,035 (2000 US Census)

Gender: 45.7% male, 54.3% female

Race: 96.6% White, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% African American, 2.0% Other

Median Income: $51,818

Rating:

(5 max)

Located in downtown Montpelier, the State House is truly the centerpiece of Montpelier. This particular State House is Vermont's third. Built in 1859 and costing $150,000, the building took two and a half years to complete and reflects the Renaissance Revival style that was popular at the time.

Only $150,000 to construct this incredible building? That makes me laugh (or cry). Today you can't buy a halfway decent house for $150,000 in Portland, Oregon. It's interesting how inflation has degraded the value of the dollar over time. Back in 1859 I wonder how much a gumball cost? A penny would probably buy you a bunch of them, assuming they had gumballs back then. Did they even have pennies back then?

Many people were milling about in and around the grounds of the State House, all enjoying the beautiful, sunny day. I think if I were homeless this would be a great place to hangout. Well technically I "am" homeless come to think about it. So I decide to lay down on the grass, stretched out, and hangout hobo-style for a while. Too bad I don't have a can of beans, a pack of wieners, and a roaring campfire. In any event, it's good to be homeless, at least on this day.