The birth to Bellows Falls in the 18th century was a response to the Connecticut River and land themselves. The narrow gorge offered a site for the 1785 bridge, the first built anywhere on the 410 mile long Connecticut River. The turbulent bend in the river motivated the 1791 formation of the first canal company in the U.S.; the company constructed a canal and six locks in 1802 to lift boats around the falls.

The arrival of railroads in 1850 turned the village into a regional rail hub. Part of the obsolete canal was converted to direct water into a complex of mills that made Bellows Falls one of the nation's largest paper manufacturers in the early 20th century.

The downtown shopping district that grew up in response to these events still has some of the look of the 19th century and the feel of the mid 20th. Bounded by hills and the river, the historic downtown Square reminds many visitors of a European village. A portion of the historic canal adds to that flavor.

Today, the downtown still features locally owned restaurants, shops, and antique and art galleries, including a time-warp hardware store where the old wood floors creak underfoot. Even first-time visitors to Bellows Falls say it feels like they've come home.

Nearby residential neighborhoods are rich in Victorian era architecture. A brand new visitors' center known as the Waypoint, located near the canal, embodies the town's railroad history with a building that actually looks like a train. The Waypoint is part of the Connecticut River Scenic Byway, and contains exhibits and information about the region.

Special events in and around the Bellows Falls (Rockingham) community include:

Each June -Roots on The River /Fred Eaglesmith Weekend music festival, www.flyingunderradar.com

July 4 -Saxtons River Small-town Americana, parade, food and fireworks

Each July - Tour de Rockingham Family oriented bicycle rally.

July & Aug.- Third Friday Art Walk Evening stroll among art galleries and bookshops; enjoy refreshments and entertainment on Friday nights. For more events go to www.bellowsfalls.org

For more information contact: Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce, 802-463-4280, www.gfrcc.org