Proctor embraces its marble-rich history as a small town near Rutland
The Marble Bridge stretches across Otter Creek, anchoring Proctor’s village center and reminding residents of its marble-rich history. The community began as a bustling company town anchored by the Vermont Marble Company, and while it's since become a quiet town of less than 2,000 people, it maintains a sense of historic charm in its marble sidewalks, buildings and at the Vermont Marble Museum. “Proctor is a quaint little town. It’s a very family oriented community where you’ll see kids leaving their bikes in their front yards,” says William Spanos, a Realtor with KW Peak Property Group who grew up in the area. In addition to its small-town charm, Proctor offers abundant recreational opportunities in the north-south valley of Otter Creek, near the Green Mountains and less than 10 miles from shopping and dining in downtown Rutland.
Recreation ranges from kayaking and fishing to ice skating and skiing
Otter Creek passes through the center of town and is a destination for kayaking, canoeing and fishing near the Sutherland Falls. Residents can reach the river at several locations, including the Kingsley Access Area. It’s managed by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and features a small parking lot with stone steps leading down to the water. Beaver Pond is another popular spot for water recreation, and shaded nature trails wind along its eastern shore. Hikers and mountain bikers can head to the Carriage Trail, a dirt path spanning just over 5 miles between Proctor and Rutland.
The Carriage Trail is accessible via a trailhead near the Proctor Skating Rink, which serves as an ice-skating rink during the town’s snowy winters and a roller-skating rink in warmer weather. “When I was growing up, everyone would get together at the skating rink. They also just added a little play area for kids,” Spanos says. Summer brings residents to Olympus Pool, a small pond with swimming and paddleboarding opportunities. Golfers can play a round at the public Proctor-Pittsford Country Club, and proximity to the Green Mountains means skiers are less than 25 miles from Killington Resort.
Housing options include 19th-century homes with marble details
Proctor has a variety of housing styles and options. Most properties surround the village center, and many were built by the Vermont Marble Company throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “A lot of houses were built for the workers. You’ll see marble in many of them, either in the foundation or the French door thresholds,” Spanos says. New Englanders, Colonial Revivals and Victorian-style homes are the norm, and prices for single-family homes typically range from $200,000 to $380,000. Duplexes are also common and sell for $140,000 to $280,000. While most properties have quarter or half-acre lots, those further from the village center have up to several acres of land. The town’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Living in the Proctor School District, near Rutland Area Christian School
The Proctor School District consists of Proctor Elementary School, which receives a D-plus from Niche, and Proctor Junior/Senior High School, which earns a C-minus. The junior/senior high school has a low student-teacher ratio of 9-to-1, and high school students can earn college credit through Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses. “The school system is known for its prestigious sports programs, particularly basketball and soccer,” Spanos says. Nearby private school options include the B-plus-rated Rutland Area Christian School, serving prekindergarten through 12th grade.
A small village center and proximity to downtown Rutland
The town’s village center surrounds Otter Creek. It’s home to the Proctor Free Library and several houses of worship, including the striking marble structures of St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church and the Union Church of Proctor. Franklin’s is the only restaurant in Proctor, and the Italian-American eatery proudly displays photographs of the town’s history on its walls. While Franklin’s is best known for its homemade marinara sauce and prime rib special, it also serves as a local hangout with TVs, a pool table and a dart board.
Residents typically head to Rutland, less than 10 miles away, to run errands or grab a bite to eat. The Rutland Plaza features Market 32 and Walmart, while downtown Rutland offers a walkable business district with shops and restaurants. Locals can browse the shelves at Phoenix Books and sample craft beers at Hop ‘N Moose, a casual pub that doubles as a tasting room for Rutland Beer Works.
Events at Main Street Park and festivities at the Vermont State Fair
Main Street Park anchors the town’s village center. It has a gazebo and picnic tables for passive recreation, and the open green space is a destination for community events. The town’s annual fall festival features local vendors, family friendly activities and a fireman’s barbeque, while the summer concert series invites residents to spread out their picnic blankets and listen to live music in the park. Proctor is home to Wilson Castle, a 19th-century Victorian-style estate that’s now a haunted attraction with paranormal tours.
The Vermont State Fairgrounds are less than 10 miles from Proctor, and thousands of people travel to the fairgrounds each August for the Vermont State Fair. The festivities are organized by the Rutland County Agricultural Society and include farm shows, live music, carnival rides and more.
Highway access, Vermont commutes and proximity to Rutland Station
Residents typically rely on their cars to get around, and Vermont Route 3 is the town’s main thoroughfare. It provides access to nearby highways like U.S. Route 7, which connects residents to nearby cities such as Middlebury, about 30 miles away, and Burlington, around 65 miles from Proctor. The Marble Valley Regional Transit District offers a weekday bus service from Proctor to Rutland, where Amtrak’s Rutland Station provides daily train service between New York City and Burlington. For flights, Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport is less than 15 miles from Proctor and has three direct daily flights to Boston. Residents can also head 62 miles north to Burlington International Airport. The closest hospital is Rutland Regional Medical Center, which is less than 10 miles from Proctor and is the region’s top employer.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
