Silver Hollow is a city in central Addison County, Vermont, just west of Mount Ellen in the Green Mountains. Its population was 9,901 in 2020. A former industrial town, it became known for its arts community in the mid-1990s and is home to Arcana University, established there in 2024.1

History

Early settlement

Native Americans have inhabited the area for about 12,000 years. Abenaki and Mohawk people were active there at the time of the first encounters with French trappers. In 1638, the site was a French and Native American trading camp called Bouleau Gris, or Gray Birch. During the seventeenth century, French colonists claimed the territory as part of New France. With the expansion of trade, Bouleau Gris changed its name and was founded as Silver Hollow in 1698.1

Silver Hollow largely avoided direct involvement in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.1

Industry and decline

From the 1840s through the 1890s, the lumber mill on a tributary of the Beaver River provided a major source of income. The mill was upgraded in 1893, and Silver Hollow became known for the quality of its wood, making it a favorite of artisan woodworkers.1

The town's industrial heyday came in the mid-1940s. After World War II, the economy slowed, and by the 1960s the population had fallen from an industrial-era peak of 6,203 to fewer than 2,400.1

Tourism and the arts

In 1984, expansion at the nearby Sugarbush ski resort brought an influx of tourists and support personnel. In the mid-1990s, Silver Hollow experienced a renaissance as it was discovered by artists who appreciated the serenity and majestic vistas of the Green Mountains. Several artist communities were subsequently founded, with galleries and quirky restaurants forming much of the basis of South Street, the core of downtown.1

Geography

Silver Hollow lies just west of Mount Ellen, on a strip of land extending about three miles (4.8 km) from north to south. The city occupies the valley around Bobolink Field, along the local course of Downingsville Road. It is approximately 45 minutes from Burlington and just over two hours from Montreal, Canada.1 2

Its mountain setting places it roughly 600 feet (180 m) higher than Waitsfield.2

Population

Silver Hollow's population declined after its industrial peak, then recovered as tourism and the arts brought new activity.1

Period Population
Industrial peak, mid-1940s 6,203
By the 1960s Fewer than 2,400
2020 9,901

Climate

Silver Hollow has cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Its higher elevation makes temperatures about 2 °F (1.1 °C) cooler than in Waitsfield.2 3

Typical temperature, °F Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily high 25.6 28.2 35.7 49.1 62.0 70.3 75.2 73.7 66.8 53.0 42.0 31.3 51.1
Daily mean 16.9 18.9 26.4 39.0 51.3 59.8 64.4 62.9 55.6 43.7 33.7 23.6 41.4
Mean daily low 8.2 9.5 17.1 28.9 40.5 49.3 53.6 52.1 44.3 32.3 25.3 15.9 31.6

Economy and cultural life

Silver Hollow's arts community grew out of the town's recovery from industrial decline. Artists were drawn by the Green Mountain setting, while galleries and restaurants gave South Street a new role in the local economy. Tourism and the arts were already established parts of that recovery when Arcana University opened in 2024.1

The university brought a further source of economic activity and rising home prices when it opened in 2024.1

Artists, musicians, independent shops, and bed-and-breakfasts give Silver Hollow much of its character. Its arts scene and informal, eclectic culture have drawn comparisons with Santa Fe. The town has no big-box stores, and its mix of residents includes hippies, pagans, and people drawn to its less conventional way of life.2

Festivals and the supernatural community

Since Arcana University's arrival, seasonal celebrations at the quarter-years, including Imbolc, have become part of the town's calendar. They are community festivals rather than specifically Wiccan observances, providing occasions for music, gatherings, and local businesses to join in.2

Halloween weekend includes the Werewolf Pub Crawl. Participants dress as werewolves and other mythical creatures and visit the town's bars. The costumes are said to be especially convincing when the weekend falls within a few days of a full moon.2

Many locals know about magic and the university's unusual visitors. In public, they generally treat such things as another part of the town's festivities and eccentric character.2

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