Essex County

Essex County is an administrative county in northeastern Vermont, situated between Quebec and New Hampshire with mountainous terrain, numerous lakes, and dense forests throughout. Guildhall serves as the county seat and administrative center for local government operations.

The county was formed in 1792 from parts of Chittenden and Orange counties, with Guildhall becoming the administrative center in 1800. Transportation infrastructure, particularly railroads, became crucial to the region's growth during the 1800s.

The region remains tied to forestry work, with logging, paper mills, and furniture production shaping local livelihoods and community identity. These industries have left their mark on the landscape and continue to influence how people work and live here.

County government services and public records are centered in Guildhall, the main administrative hub for property, zoning, and tax matters. Most visitor services and information about the region can be accessed through the county seat's offices and local resources.

Island Pond became home to a major railroad junction that formed North America's first international rail connection in 1853. This link connected the isolated region to broader trade networks and brought unexpected growth to what had been a remote area.

Location: Vermont

Inception: 1800

Capital city: Guildhall

Shares border with: Coös County, Grafton County, Caledonia County, Orleans County, Coaticook

Website: https://essexvt.org

GPS coordinates: 44.72089,-71.74502

Latest update: December 20, 2025 15:19