Middlebury is full of fantastic arts, architecture and education, and the bustling downtown has a little something for everyone to enjoy. Right through the middle of town you’ll find a powerful river and waterfall, as well as ruins that are both historic and unusual. Sure, you’ll find various ruins throughout Vermont, but certainly not many in such a magnificent downtown setting!
Otter Creek is one of the largest rivers in Vermont and is roughly 112 miles long.
Flickr/Don Shall
One of the most incredible features of the creek is the waterfall in the middle of downtown of Middlebury.
Flickr/Don Shall
Many people stop and admire the falls as well as Battell Bridge, which is a gorgeous stone structure with three magnificent arches.
Flickr/Don Shall
But the ruins next to the bridge is equally beautiful and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Flickr/Don Shall
These are the ruins of an abandoned turbine power station which sit next to the falls.
Flickr/Don Shall
The southernmost foundation and two low floors was saved from demolition after the great fire of 1891 burned much of the town center.
Flickr/Don Shall
This is part of the old hydro power sluice which was damaged in the Great Flood of 1927.
Flickr/Don Shall
This mechanism is an ice glazed, wrought iron control wheel for a sluice gate circa 1830s which is alongside the falls of the to aid in harnessing water power.
Flickr/Don Shall
Local legends say this was once a safe-house on the Underground Railroad.
Flickr/Don Shall
The area at the base of the falls was once known as “Frog Hollow” and housed several stone mill buildings.
Flickr/Don Shall
The creek bed is eroding many of the nearby structures, so plan a trip to see these ruins yourself before nature reclaims them.
Flickr/Don Shall
If abandoned places intrigues you, enjoy this road trip to Vermont’s most abandoned places.
Flickr/Don Shall
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