In the town of Londonderry, Vermont, an old wooden building known for the past half century as the Mill tavern is to be torn down in the coming weeks. The house at 2242 North Main Street has long been in disrepair: its sagging roof has damaged the load-bearing frame, and it can no longer be repaired.
According to the local historical society, the demolition will close a chapter in the town's history that spanned more than 180 years. Over that time, the riverside site mirrored all of Londonderry's evolution: from the water-powered industry of the mid-nineteenth century and the roadside culture of the automobile age to the golden age of skiing in southern Vermont.
The building once housed a machine shop, then became a gathering place for skiers and a venue for rock concerts. It was also where the modern snowboarding industry took shape: the tavern is connected to the early history of Burton Snowboards. The historical society credits Ed Brown, who owned the establishment for many years, for his contributions.
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