Manchester always has been an important commercial center for the region, lying at the crossroads of north-south and east-west travel routes. The Stone Valley Scenic Byway begins in downtown Manchester at the intersection of Routes 7A, 11, and 30. This intersection also marks the point where two of Manchester's historic areas converge: the Main Street and Bonnet Street Historic Districts. The Town also has designated historic districts further east (Manchester Depot), south (Manchester Village), and north (North Main Street). A wide variety of residential, commercial... more
VISIT FARMS. LEARN HISTORY. RELAX IN NATURE. HAVE FUN!
Passing near the western border of Vermont, the Stone Valley Byway (Route 30) extends from
Manchester in Bennington County to Poultney in Rutland County. It extends along the shoreline
of beautiful lakes, traverses verdant pastures, and provides accessibility to outdoor recreation
and historic village centers. The marble and slate quarries and mills that were scattered about
the hillsides and along the highway shaped much of the development in the area and remain
important today, either as active economic assets or as important historic and recreational sites.
The Byway is also known as the Seth Warner Memorial Highway. On the night of July 4, 1777,
when Ticonderoga was evacuated, the main body of the American army took the road leading
through Hubbardton and Castleton, north of the Byway. The rearguard at Castleton was placed
under the command of Warner, who was attacked by General Simon Frazer and compelled to
retreat after a severe engagement.
