“Don’t judge me …” says the ebiker who passed me today

 Mar 20, 2025

Riding towards Pittsford, I was climbing Corn Hill Road when my Varia beeped and then this woman passed me a on a bike as if I was almost standing still. She was on an eBike and she shouted to me as she went by, "Don't Judge me!" I did, since I couldn't help noticing that reflector triangle on her panier told me she does Randoneering.

  

Great view of the Green Mountains, including Pico and Killington along this road.

I wanted ride across Gorham Covered Bridge today by Otter Creek was still flooding

So I was treated to punchy climb up VT 3 to Proctor.

This is where it all started

The one time Marble Capital of the world

Proctor, Vermont is historically recognized as the self-styled "Marble Capital of the United States". Located in Rutland County, this town was explicitly carved out of the town of Rutland and chartered in 1886 to serve as the headquarters and company town for the Vermont Marble Company. Under the leadership of its first president, Redfield Proctor (who went on to become Vermont's Governor and a U.S. Senator), the company grew to become the largest marble corporation in the world by the early 20th century.

Paralleling this climb is a railroad spur that ran up to a Marble Quarry.

Former Clarendon and Proctor Rail Road grade crossing

Map showing the Clarendon and Proctor to the west of Otter Creek and the Rutland Railroad/Vermont Central on the east side.

Road bed looking east

another angle

Railroad bed close to Otter Creek

Wilson Castle, Vermont's only castle

This architectural masterpiece was built in the middle of the 19th Century in the heart of the Green Mountains. The Castle stands as a monument to the heritage of the past.

The Castle has been the home of five generations of the Wilson family. It’s design is a blend of European styles. Part of the estate is presently in the Wilson Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization, to preserve its longevity.

The façade of the Castle is set with English brick and marble, and is dominated by nineteen open proscenium arches and shadowed by a towering turret, parapet, and balcony.

The residence of the 115 acre estate has three floors spaciously divided into 32 rooms. The interior features are highlighted with 84 stained-glass windows and 13 fireplaces finished with imported tiles and bronze. The Castle’s furnishings include Far Eastern and European antiques and museum pieces, complemented by statuary, Chinese scrolls, and Oriental rugs. The various rooms with their distinctive features provide an elegant and richly gracious interior – perfect for the wedding of your dreams.

On the grounds are cattle barns, stables, the carriage house, and the glass house and plenty of space in the scenic Vermont countryside.

Marble railroad abutments 

where the Clarendon and Proctor ran before crossing under the main line and heading to Clarendon.

It continued along Otter Creek and then crossed over River Street to connect to the main line.

River Street abutment