The Town of Newbury, which includes the Village of Wells River, Vermont, is located at the junction of the Wells and Connecticut Rivers in north west Vermont. Newbury was once the head of navigation of the Connecticut River. In the 1800's (prior to the railroads) steamers from Connecticut reached here but could navigate no further due to the shallow waters of the Connecticut River north of Wells River. Steamboat navigation prospered for a short time in the mid 1800's, but the advent of the railroads ended the steamer business.
Today, Wells River is typical of many small towns in Vermont. It has a small but unique downtown and several thriving businesses. U.S. Route 5 runs through the center of town and interstate I-91, exit 17 is within 5 miles of the downtown area.
Just across the Connecticut River from Wells River is Woodsville, New Hampshire and U.S. Route 302 and NH Route 135.
