Drive across U.S. Route 2 in eastern Vermont and you’ll pass through a small town named Danville. Turn right in Danville on Brainerd Road, which will turn into Greenbanks Hollow Road, ending at the lost village of Greenbank’s Hollow. It’s a picturesque spot in Vermont: leafy dirt roads, farms on either side, the covered bridge at the crossroads, and the rush of the water at the bottom of the hill.
Entrance to the historic site – check the map and pick up a pamphlet to guide you through the numbered sites.
It’s hard to believe now, due to the small size of Danville and the quiet, rural road, but Greenbank’s Hollow was a bustling mill village in its day. The village grew around a woolen mill. Benjamin Greenback bought an existing mill in 1849, converted to a five story woolen mill that employed 45 people in the 1850s – the largest in the area. The company village included a post office, a store, a school, residences, a gristmill, and a sawmill. Sadly, in 1885 a fire destroyed much of the village, including the mill. Slowly the village residents left, businesses closed, and the school closed in 1912. {Summarized from the Danville Historical Society’s brief history page.}
Greenbanks Mill, South Danville, probably around 1885. Photo source: Danville Historical Society. Click for link.
The Division for Historic Preservation marker gives you a brief history of the site.
A covered bridge in the middle of Greenbank’s Hollow.
Remains of the mill across the river.
Looking from the covered bridge to the gristmill foundations.
All sites are identified with a green marker. The pamphlet (grab one at the main site entrance) will give you brief descriptions of each location.
The village is all foundations, and it’s a peaceful walk in a quiet Vermont spot.
The trail takes you through the trees for a few sites.
The historic site exists today thanks to the efforts of the Danville Historical Society who preserved the site as a public park. Can’t make it to Greenbank’s Hollow? Check out this virtual e-book tour.
Preservation in Pink 
Wow cool picture. It reminds me of the New Manchester Mill just outside Atlanta in Sweetwater Creek State Park–it too was five stories and was a textile manufacturer. It was burned by General Sherman during the Battle of Atlanta, and its workers, all women and children, were forcibly moved to Louisville, KY, where they were placed in an internment camp. Sherman reasoned that they, skilled workers, were as dangerous to the Unions as armed soldiers.
wow, what a story. workers as dangerous as soldiers?
Is this anywhere near Hanover, NH?
Merilee, Danville and Hanover are only 1 hour apart – up I-91 and west on Route 2.
Great! I’m headed to Hanover soon to visit my son at Dartmouth. I’ll go see this place!
Awesome! Check out the Great Corn Maze in Danville, too. I hear it’s fun! And drive through Peacham, VT for ridiculously scenic views. All in the same area. Have fun!!
A Corn Maze! Sounds great! Thanks for the suggestions! It will be my first ever trip to New England and I’m very excited :))
Oh wow! Have a blast. Wishing you good foliage weather. Let me know what you find. 😀
Will do!