West Townshend in Windham County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Taft Homestead Site

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 5, 2009

1. Taft Homestead Site Marker

Inscription. In 1799, Aaron Taft settled on a 100-acre farm on Taft Hill. His grandson, Alphonso, born here in 1810, served as Secretary of War and Attorney General under President Grant, and as Minister to Austria-Hungary and Russia. Alphonso’s son, William Howard Taft (1857 – 1930) became 27th President of the United States and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. William’s son, Robert A. Taft (1889 – 1953) was U.S. Senator from Ohio. Many other descendants became prominent in government service.

Erected 2001 by Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft, and the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1799.

Location. 43° 5.051′ N, 72° 42.689′ W. Marker is in West Townshend, Vermont, in Windham County. It is at the intersection of Vermont Route 30 and Windham Hill Road, on the right when traveling south on Vermont Route 30. Located next to the West Townshend Post Office. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Townshend VT 05359, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Vermont’s Connecticut River Valley,

in the Green Mountains,

and in Southern Vermont. It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clarina Howard Nichols (here, next to this marker); Scott Bridge (approx. 2.6 miles away); Simpsonville Stone Arch Bridge (approx. 3 miles away); Jamaica Veterans Monument (approx. 3.6 miles away); Founding Members of the Friends of the Wardsboro Library (approx. 4.9 miles away); Memorial Hall (approx. 4.9 miles away); Wardsboro Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.9 miles away); Wardsboro World Wars Memorial (approx. 5 miles away).

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 5, 2009

2. Taft Homestead Site Marker

Looking south. The Clarina Howard Nichols Marker is on the right.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 5, 2009

3. Taft Homestead Site Marker

Looking north. The Clarina Howard Nichols Marker is on the left. The white building with the flag is the West Townshend Post Office.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 4,247 times since then and 161 times this year. Last updated on June 16, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.