Imagine that you were a member of a wealthy family living in one of the major East Coast cities, notably New York or Boston, in the late 1800s or early 1900s. It’s summertime, and living in the city is not easy. Hot, stifling days before air conditioning, horses in the street, sewer systems that lack modern wastewater treatment applications, smoke from factories… well, eventually the heat, the smells, the brick and concrete take their toll, and you dream of mountain air, fresh breezes, and beautiful vistas. You know that a relatively easy train trip away, central Vermont holds all you dream of, and with cost not an issue, your mind is made up. Off to the Upper Connecticut River Valley it is. That was a very real scenario for many wealthy city residents in that time period, a precursor to the tourist traffic our region still enjoys today.

Getting Here

Before the middle of the 19th century, traveling to the Upper Valley was somewhat difficult. Roads existed, but travel by horse and coach was somewhat arduous. Travel up the Connecticut River was possible, with traversing various spots necessary. Around 1850 however, rail lines reached the area, with White River Jct. a key rail center. Commerce and travel picked up dramatically with the rail service.

Still, getting over to Quechee and Woodstock required the use of horse and coach on questionable roads. For that reason, area business and community leaders developed plans for a fourteen-mile long railway running from WRJ to Woodstock. After several delays, the Woodstock Railroad saw the first train complete the trip in early fall, 1875.

Two important area people were movers behind the Woodstock Railroad: A. G. Dewey of Quechee’s Dewey’s Mills, and Frederick Billings, who also developed a state-of-the-art farm in Woodstock. Their friends and business associates – many of whom were wealthy business people from the cities – visited and realized the area was a wonderful vacation destination.

Staying Here

With increasing travel resulting from the railroads, area entrepreneurs knew visitors would need places to stay. As a result, inns popped up throughout the region. One of the first of these area inns was the Junction House of WRJ. It later became the Hotel Coolidge, which, after being rebuilt from a 1924 fire, still stands today.

At the other end of the Woodstock Railroad, in Woodstock, some lodging facilities pre-dated the railroad. Historic lodging facilities such as Barker’s Hotel and the Eagle Hotel hosted visitors well before the railroad arrived. With the arrival of the railroad, and the growing tourism interest, new, modern lodging facilities became necessary. In 1890, the venerable old Eagle Hotel (which once played host to President James Monroe), was torn down, and in its place rose the Woodstock Inn. The new inn featured over 100 rooms, and a few years later, a state-of-the-art stable was built for horses and carriages.

As mentioned, nationally respected business leaders who settled in the area, such a Frederick and brother Frank Billings, helped draw wealthy friends and associates to visit. For many, one visit was all that was needed to make our area a regular destination, especially in the refreshing summertime, when the big city was least attractive for comfortable living.

Recreation, Entertainment

In 1900, one did not take a quick trip to the Upper Valley from Boston or New York, as is possible today. No, the wealthy visitors then would come for several weeks, or even for the entire summer season. For extended stays such as that, entire families would arrive, along with many household goods and comforts, and even family servants.

Arriving, and setting up a household at a lodging facility such as the Woodstock Inn was just a part of the entire summer adventure for visitors. As today, leaders developed plans for a fourteen-mile long railway running from WRJ to Woodstock. After several delays, the Woodstock Railroad saw the first train complete the trip in early fall, 1875.

Two important area people were movers behind the Woodstock Railroad: A. G. Dewey of Quechee’s Dewey’s Mills, and Frederick Billings, who also developed a state-of-the-art farm in Woodstock. Their friends and business associates – many of whom were wealthy business people from the cities – visited and realized the area was a wonderful vacation destination.

Staying Here

With increasing travel resulting from the railroads, area entrepreneurs knew visitors would need places to stay. As a result, inns popped up throughout the region. One of the first of these area inns was the Junction House of WRJ. It later became the Hotel Coolidge, which, after being rebuilt from a 1924 fire, still stands today.

At the other end of the Woodstock Railroad, in Woodstock, some lodging facilities pre-dated the railroad. Historic lodging facilities such as Barker’s Hotel and the Eagle Hotel hosted visitors well before the railroad arrived. With the arrival of the railroad, and the growing tourism interest, new, modern lodging facilities became necessary. In 1890, the venerable old Eagle Hotel (which once played host to President James Monroe), was torn down, and in its place rose the Woodstock Inn. The new inn featured over 100 rooms, and a few years later, a state-of-the-art stable was built for horses and carriages.

As mentioned, nationally respected business leaders who settled in the area, such a Frederick and brother Frank Billings, helped draw wealthy friends and associates to visit. For many, one visit was all that was needed to make our area a regular destination, especially in the refreshing summertime, when the big city was least attractive for comfortable living.

Recreation, Entertainment

In 1900, one did not take a quick trip to the Upper Valley from Boston or New York, as is possible today. No, the wealthy visitors then would come for several weeks, or even for the entire summer season. For extended stays such as that, entire families would arrive, along with many household goods and comforts, and even family servants.

Arriving, and setting up a household at a lodging facility such as the Woodstock Inn was just a part of the entire summer adventure for visitors. As today, visitors sought out recreational opportunities, and many existed. Particularly popular were horseback riding and carriage rides on the area roads. Hiking the hills and forests, and picnicking also proved popular pursuits. Today, we are very accustomed to see bicyclists traveling the roads in Quechee and Woodstock. Many may be surprised to know that bicycling was very popular back then, too. The 1890s saw a boon in the popularity of bicycling, and many visiting this area brought their bikes to ride.

Golf was another recreational pursuit growing in popularity at that time. As a result, 1895 saw the opening of the Woodstock Country Club, the first public golf course in Vermont, much to the delight of summer vacationers in Woodstock. Mineral springs around Vermont were popular with summer visitors as well.

Wealthy visitors required more than daytime diversions, and as a result, restaurants opened to cater to their needs. In 1899, Woodstock saw the opening of a music hall, designed to attract the entertainment desires of visitors and residents alike.

Eventually, the Depression and the end of the Woodstock Railway in the 1930s changed, but did not end, vacation travel to Woodstock and Quechee. The opening of the highway system opened up the area to more than just the wealthy, a welcome development to middle class visitors.