St. J History
Town of St Johnsbury, Vermont
The town was originally granted in 1760 as part of the New Hampshire Grants and named Bessborough. It was regranted by Vermont in 1786 as Dunmore, and settled the same year.
An early settler was Dr. Jonathan Arnold, a member of the Continental Congress and author of Rhode Island's act of secession from the United Kingdom in May of 1776. Arnold left Rhode Island in 1787 and, with six other families, built homes at what is now the town center.
By 1791, the village had grown to 143 inhabitants, and the first town meeting took place in Arnold's home that year, where the name St. Johnsbury was adopted. According to local lore, Vermont founder Ethan Allen himself proposed naming the town St. John in honor of his friend Jean de Crèvecœur, a French-born author and agriculturist and a friend of Benjamin Franklin (he was known in the United States as J. Hector St. John). According to this account, de Crèvecœur suggested instead the unusual St. Johnsbury to differentiate it from Saint John, New Brunswick.
Information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia VIA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johnsbury,_Vermont
Announcements
As a reminder to lot owners and/or their descendants about the Plantings and Decorations in the town owned cemeteries of Centervale (formerly St. Johnsbury Center Cemetery), Grove, the St. Johnsbury Burial Yard, and Ayer-Hawkins Cemeteries. 1. In ground plantings of annual flowers is permitted and must be kept immediately next to the monument base. 2. One moveable flower box or flower tub will be allowed on each lot, the size not to exceed three feet in length and one foot wide. These receptacles are to be made of durable material. Glass containers of any kind are not an acceptable container. 3. Artificial flowers are discouraged, however are allowed and must be removed by October There is no trash removal service. 4. The Cemetery Commission shall have the authority to remove all floral decorations, flags, shrubs, plants or herbage of any kind, which in the judgment of the Cemetery Commission have become unsightly, dangerous, diseased or detrimental, or which do not conform to the regulations outlined. 5. The Town shall not be liable for any floral arrangements, plants, or receptacles that have become lost, misplaced, stolen or broken. 6. The placing of shells, toys, metal designs, ornaments, chairs, settees and similar articles are not permitted, and if placed on the lot, the Cemetery Commission reserves the right to remove the same. Exceptions may be made after notification of the Commission. 7. Coat hangers or other wires in the ground or attached to memorials as potholders are not allowed. Your cooperation is appreciated in helping manage and preserve this important part of the town's history.
2025 Consumer Confidence Report
This report is a snapshot of the water quality the St. Johnsbury Water Filtration Plant and Public Works Dept. produced and delivered in 2025. Included are the details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards. We are committed to providing you with this information because informed customers are our best allies.
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2025 Water System Consumer Confidence Report
.
Rental Housing Forms & Housing Study
Long Term Rental Registration Vacant Building Registration 2025-2026 Rental Housing Improvement Grant Application Rental Housing Improvement Program FAQs St. Johnsbury Housing Needs & Assessment Study Do you have a complaint? The Town of St. Johnsbury has a formal process to receive and address complaints. Please click on the link below to access our complaint form. Town of St. Johnsbury Complaint Form
