After it was chartered in 1763, Williston attracted settlers from southern New England and grew because of the rich farmland and abundant forests. Vermont's first governor, Thomas Chittenden, settled here, and other families soon followed. The arrival of the railroad in 1849 brought new industries and prosperity. The Civil War and westward migration drew men and families away and impacted the town's growth. During the first half of the 20th century, Williston was a small, rural town with an agricultural base. When the interstate highway opened and IBM established a major facility in nearby Essex, increased development brought about the need for modern municipal services. Today, Williston, with a well-preserved historic village, is a thriving commercial and residential town in the middle of Vermont's most populous county.