City (pop., 2000: 8,035), capital of Vermont, U.S. Named for Montpellier , France, it commanded the main pass through the Green Mountains and was chartered in 1781 by proprietors from Massachusetts and western Vermont.
It became the state capital in 1805 and defeated attempts by other cities, including Burlington , to succeed it as capital. In addition to providing state government services, it bases its economy on financial services and the local ski industry. It is the site of a campus of Norwich University/Vermont College and was the birthplace of Adm. George Dewey .