From Historical Rutland: an illustrated history of Rutland, Vermont, from the granting of the charter in 1761 to 1911 by Rev. F. E. Davison, Rutland, Vt.: P.H. Brehmer, 1911, page 52:
Centennial Celebration
In the month of October, 1870, Rutland observed its centennial with appropriate ceremonies. The celebration continued from the second to the fifth of the month, and included addresses, historical papers, poems, toasts, an exhibition of relics, etc. The opening service took place at the Congregational Church Sunday evening, October 2, with a sermon by Rev. Dr. John Todd, of Pittsfield, Mass, a native of Ruttland. The pavilion in which the dinner was served, and in which the Promenade Concert was held, stood on the lot at the foot of Washington Street, where the City Hall is now situated. It was 210 by 66 feet and capable of seating 3,000 persons. The tent inside and out was radiant with flags, bunting and gas lights.
The Opera house was beautifully decorated within and without, with flags, streamers, mottoes, flowers, and other ornaments. Extending across the street from the Opera house was a line of flags, in the center of which was a shield tablet with the inscription on one side, "Washington promulgated our prinnciples, Warren died in their defense–we intend to perpetuate them." On the reverse the inscription was, "The memories of the fathers are the inspiration of the sons." The old state house was ornamented with flags and labeled with a brief history of the building. The Herald building was decorated finely outside with a shield bearing the inscription, "The Rutland Herald, the oldest paper in Vermont–established December, 1794." An arch was erected on West Street, opposite the old state house, by the members of the Nickwackett Engine Company, trimmed with American, Turkish, Irish and state flags, and inscribed, "Nickwackett No.1 in honor of the old state house." Nearly every house and business place along the line of march of the procession showed some decoration.