The Vermont Legislature chartered the Green Mountain Turnpike on this day in 1799. It was the third turnpike in Vermont, and ran from Clarendon to Bellows Falls.

Turnpikes were chartered to individuals by the state Legislature. The individual parties would construct the road and were allowed toll gates to collect money from travelers.

The Green Mountain Turnpike had tolls in Rockingham, Cavendish, Ludlow and Shrewsbury.

It was usually agreed upon that charter holders could recoup expenses and generate an income over a reasonable period of time, after which the road would become the property of the state.

Historic image courtesy Chester Historical Society