Hi John,
a couple of suggestions:

is it a listed property or a for sale by owner? if it is listed, the realtor should provide a 7 page disclosure form filled out by the seller. you also might do the following prior to going under contract if the property is not listed:

-- go to the town listers and look up the recent property transfer amounts (public knowledge due to transfer tax). probe the lister for more information
-- find out when they bought it, and look up the warranty deed, maybe go a couple owners back. if there was a rebuild, you will find zoning and building permits in the card catalogs along with the deeds. while you're in the land records try to find a survey if the current owners did not provide one.
-- talk to town zoning, get an aerial printout and see if there is any known development that will adversely affect your new prospective dwelling
-- talk to the neighbors, they would like to meet you anyways.
-- get a good inspector. call me if you want some names.

Cheers,
Ben Thomas, REALTOR
c21jack, montpelier
279-3738

John, You could try the local newspapers archive and see what they might have - for the event/crime part. A building inspector will be able to evaluate the condition of the building and possibly identify any significant events from the past. I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me for additional ideas. Gayle Oberg Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Esate, Stowe Vermont.