Vermont Nicknames | The Green Mountain State

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Vermont, the second-least populated state in the U.S. after Wyoming, boasts a rich history reflected in its many nicknames. While the "Green Mountain State" is the official slogan with colonial origins, the "Covered Bridge State" also has historical roots.

More contemporary monikers like the "State of American Craft Beer" have emerged in recent years. This article explores five notable Vermont nicknames, their origins, and related interesting facts. Keep reading to learn more!

5 Nicknames for Vermont

The Green Mountain State

You'll see and hear the "Green Mountain State" everywhere in Vermont. It's the official and most recognized nickname, even appearing on the state's green license plates.

The slogan comes from the state's prominent Green Mountains. The name "Vermont" itself is derived from the French "les monts verts." Additionally, the Vermont Republic, which existed from 1777 to 1791 before Vermont became a state, was commonly referred to as the "Green Mountain Republic."

A key group during this period was the Green Mountain Boys militia, founded by Ethan Allen. Their efforts to secure Vermont's independence from New York and New Hampshire helped solidify the "Green Mountain State" moniker.

The Marble State

It may sound unusual, but the "Marble State" is an easily understood nickname for Vermont, originating from the state's famous marble production. Rutland is known as the Marble City in Vermont due to its large marble-grinding plant. Marble is even one of the official state rocks.

At one time, the Vermont Marble Company was one of the largest marble producers in the world. Even today, the Danby Quarry is the largest underground marble quarry globally, extending a mile and a half below the surface.

Commercial marble mining in Vermont began in 1785 at the Norcross-West Quarry in Dorset. Vermont marble has been used in many notable buildings, including the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, and the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The State of American Craft Beer

Vermont is known as the "State of American Craft Beer" due to having the highest number of breweries per capita in the country, despite its small population.

Brewing in Vermont dates back to the colonial period, but strong beer and other alcohol were banned for a short period in the early 18th century. By the mid-1800s, Burlington emerged as the center of the Vermont beer scene, with the Burlington Brewery producing nearly 13,000 gallons per year by 1840.

Prohibition in the early 1900s halted the industry until Catamount Brewery opened in 1987 as the first post-prohibition brewery. After Catamount closed in 2000, Burlington's Vermont Pub and Brewery, which opened in 1988, became the oldest-operating craft brewery in the aptly-named the "State of American Craft Beer."

The Maple Syrup Capital of the U.S.

If you hear Vermont called the "Maple Syrup Capital of the U.S.," it's for good reason—maple syrup is everywhere in the state. Vermont is the top maple syrup producer in the U.S., which is sometimes nicknamed the "Maple State," producing 3.1 gallons in 2024, according to The Vermont Tourism Department.

Original Vermont settlers learned how to turn maple sap into syrup from the Native Americans already living in the region. However, it wasn't until after the Civil War that maple syrup became popular due to cane sugar becoming scarce. Even after cane sugar became more accessible again, maple syrup remained popular as a luxury sweetener and table accompaniment.

The Covered Bridge State

Vermont is also known as the "Covered Bridge State" as it has the highest concentration of covered bridges per square mile in the U.S. Covered bridges are key cultural landmarks in Vermont, reflecting the state's historical architecture.

At its peak in the 1800s, there were over 700 bridges; today, around 100 remain, with 90 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Great Eddy Covered Bridge in Waitsfield, built in 1833, is the oldest still in operation.

In Summary

Since gaining independence from New York and New Hampshire in the late 1700s, several nicknames have been assigned to Vermont over the years. The official nickname, "Green Mountain State," has historical roots from that era, revealing more than many might realize.

From the "Covered Bridge State" to the "Maple Syrup Capital of the U.S.," Vermont's nicknames reflect its culture and offerings. Hopefully, this article has introduced you to some new nicknames for Vermont and interesting facts about them.

This article was edited by Loredana Gogoescu.

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