Local History: 1918 Pandemic

History of the 1918 Influenza in Addison County

The consequences of the 1918 influenza in Addison County were far greater than almost any other tragedy in the region’s history. Both the College and the Village of Middlebury were forced to alter their way of life as the pandemic swept through the area and consumed the lives of many cherished citizens. For over a month, Middlebury and the surrounding towns faced quarantine, closures and restricted movement. Follow the timeline below to get a feel for the Middlebury’s response to the 1918 Influenza.

September 27, 1918

60 cases of influenza found in Middlebury and the surrounding areas.
Charles Harold Thompson, a freshman at Middlebury College dies of pneumonia after contracting the influenza.
Nurses brought into the town from surrounding areas, trouble finding enough doctors and nurses to support the growing number of cases of influenza.

October 4, 1918

Headline as shown above.
All public meetings cancelled.
College under martial law; grounds under armed guard; students confined to campus; village streets patrolled to ensure that no students leave “the hill.”
Influenza overpowering village of Middlebury and entirety of Addison County.
Houses with influenza patients forced to display red “Influenza” sign.

October 11, 1918

4 pneumonia deaths in one night but epidemic seen to be receding.
Improvements seen at the college and in the village of Middlebury
Town of Orwell faces tragedy of losing both of the town’s physicians to the influenza; nearly impossible to get adequate care in the area due to these deaths.

October 18, 1918