Lakeside living and a college campus in Castleton
Countless small towns dot the mountains of western Vermont, but Castleton distinguishes itself with two key features: Lake Bomoseen — the largest freshwater lake in Vermont — and Vermont State University Castleton, which enrolls nearly 2,000 students. Some New England college towns take it easy when students head home for the summer, but the opposite is true for Castleton. “It’s a small community to begin with, so it’s hard to say for sure, but I’d say the population probably grows by 20 percent in the summer,” says Chris Fucci, president of real estate consulting firm Chris Fucci Associates. Residents of the lakeside community are 15 miles from Rutland, the closest city, and about 5 miles from the New York border.
Living life on the shores of Lake Bomoseen
Lake Bomoseen spills across 2,400 acres on the western side of town, with private residences lining its shore. Public access to the lake is available at Crystal Beach, a small park with picnic pavilions, a playground and a swimming area. Anglers and boaters can launch their watercraft from the Kehoe access area on Bomoseen’s western shore. The Bomoseen Golf Club, which is open to the public, features nine holes with lake views.
Northeast of the lake, the Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site marks the location of the only Revolutionary War battle fought on Vermont soil. Hiking trails at nearby Taconic Ramble State Park weave through fields, forests and a Zen garden accented by stone sculptures. Killington Resort, the largest ski area in the eastern United States, is about 30 miles away.
Home of Vermont State University’s Castleton campus
Most students start at Castleton Elementary School, which receives a Niche grade of C. For grades 7 through 12, they might transfer to C-plus-rated Fair Haven Union Middle & High School. However, Vermont’s Public High School Choice Act allows students to apply to any high school in the state. Vermont State University Castleton, a public liberal arts college, offers more than 100 academic programs, including graduate studies.
Homes on multiacre lots near Lake Bomoseen
Castleton’s densely forested streets are emerald tunnels in spring and shades of bronze in fall. Most properties are clustered around Vermont Route 30, which traces the lake’s eastern shore, and U.S. Route 4, the town’s other major highway. “There’s more inventory in Castleton than in some surrounding communities,” says Fucci, who’s been selling real estate in the Rutland area since 1972. Many homes occupy multiacre lots, and some feature lake access. Starter and ranch-style homes might cost $160,000 to $300,000, while larger raised ranch-style and Colonial builds fetch $350,000 to $600,000. Most lakeside properties go for $700,000 to $1.5 million.
Diners, pizzerias and The Blue Cat Bistro on Main Street
Several restaurants can be found near the university on Main Street. The Birdseye Diner serves specialty shakes, burgers, fried chicken, meatloaf and a 1950s vibe. Across the street, Third Place Pizzeria and Castleton Pizza Place & Deli sling specialty pies and calzones. With Italian-inspired dishes like wild mushroom ravioli and lemon chicken with linguini, The Blue Cat Bistro is a popular date-night option. Hot spots like the upscale Lake House Pub & Grille and roadside burger joint Roxies Fries welcome visitors in the summer months. Prunier’s Market, a small family-owned grocery store, features a deli and a bakery, and Shaw’s supermarket is about 3 miles away in Fair Haven.
Route 4 leads to the airport and health care services in Rutland
Route 4 cuts an east-west path through Castleton en route to the New York state border. Rutland Regional Health Center, the biggest community hospital in the state, is 15 miles east. Travelers catch Cape Air flights to Boston from Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport, but Burlington International Airport offers more options 65 miles away. Although the rural location makes this a car-dependent town, buses on the Marble Valley Regional Transit stop along Main Street en route to nearby Fair Haven. Additionally, Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express train makes daily stops in town as it shuttles passengers between Burlington and New York City’s Penn Station.
Castleton’s July 4th Celebration on Lake Bomoseen
Every year, Castleton celebrates Independence Day with a parade, live music, face painting and kids’ activities. The festivities conclude with a fireworks display over Lake Bomoseen. Celebrants can park at Crystal Beach and along Route 30, but space is limited.
