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Located
east and south of the City of Burlington, South Burlington
has long been known for its fine neighborhoods, excellent
school system, and general affluence. One of the commercial
centers of Chittenden County, South Burlington’s hotels,
restaurants, shopping centers, and businesses are easily
accessed from Williston Road, Shelburne Road, and the
Interstate. Public transportation is available, connecting
with Burlington International Airport on the northeast
side of town.
Established as the town of South Burlington in 1865 through
an act of Legislature, rural origins prompted the city’s
separation from Burlington for tax reasons. Objecting
to the payment of an additional tax for the purpose of
extending Burlington’s water intake further into Lake
Champlain, rural residents, who relied on driven wells
to provide water, refused to pay for a system that would
afford no benefit.
Agriculture sustained South Burlington well into the mid-20th
Century. As late as the mid-1950s, traffic regularly stopped
for Fred C. Fiske’s cows being driven across Williston
Road from the farm, now the site of the Sheraton Hotel,
to pasture on land upon which Staples Plaza is located.
Cows and horses grazed on pastures along Kennedy Drive
and Dorset Street during the mid-1970s.
The period between incorporation and 1930 saw slow residential
growth, with few houses built. During the late 1930s,
the first residential development was initiated by Arthur
Elsom, planner of Mayfair Parkway. Although the advent
of World War 2 slowed Elsom’s project, it was restarted
immediately after the end of the war.
After the war, farmers discovered that subdividing their
land to provide building sites and acreage for returning
GIs was more profitable. Construction boomed, increasing
the population 111% between 1950 and 1960. Then, as now,
the majority of residents enjoyed incomes above the median.
Community spirit flourished during that period, and still
continues.Charming neighborhoods provide diverse housing
opportunities. Surrounded by homes built on land that
was once part of their acreage, farmhouses show the marriage
of form and function necessary in their day.
New neighborhoods with large Victorian style and contemporary
homes are creating another building boom in the city.
Through this diversity of style, there is still unity.
This fundamental unity among the inhabitants of South
Burlington’s various neighborhoods is visible to the casual
observer. Enthusiastic support for schools is evident
in the attendance of school and sports activities. In
addition to amenities provided by the Parks & Recreation
Department, fitness centers, golf courses, skating rinks,
tennis and swim clubs abound. Construction of a number
of recreation paths to connect portions of the city was
begun several years ago, and several are now completed.
Residents and visitors enjoy conveniently located shopping
areas, with locally-owned enterprises operating alongside
regional and nationally known stores.
A city with a lot to offer, South Burlington has maintained
its independence, yet provides the unity and security
so many seek when establishing a home or business. Like
most of Chittenden County, South Burlington is unique.
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