City of Burlington
English settlers were not the first to be attracted to the area. In 1609, Samuel de Champlain and his men were the first Europeans to view what is now Burlington. Although the French established several small forts along the lake, they did not endure, opening the way for British settlement during the late 18th Century. Township proprietors held their first meeting in Salisbury, Connecticut in March of 1774, with Col. Thomas Chittenden as moderator, and Ira Allen as clerk. Ethan Allen and Remember Baker were among the proprietors.
After the war, Stephen Lawrence was the first to return with his family in 1783. A few logs lashed together as a makeshift wharf on the bay near the foot of King Street marked the beginning of commercial activity on the waterfront. The first store was established in 1789 and in the same year, Frederick Saxton built the first frame house at the head of Pearl Street. By 1791, three houses were situated near the foot of Battery Street. The first census counted 332 residents, allowing the opening of a post office in 1792. When Prince Edward, Queen Victoria's father, visited during the winter of 1793, only seven houses existed in the village.
The rise of the lumber industry and the use of ships for transport established the waterfront area as the early center of commerce. In 1797, Dr. John Pomeroy built the first brick house (still standing at 164 Battery Street) to be close to the people he treated. The structure held his offices as well as his residence, a practice common to professional men at that time. It is noteworthy that in 1797 both Essex and Hinesburg were larger than Burlington, and Charlotte had twice as many inhabitants.
By 1800, population had steadily increased, wharves were extended, and residences and businesses spread up the hillside. The first official survey map of the town was made in March 1836 by John H. Johnson, and the 1840 census showed 4,271 residents, a number that surpassed 7,500 by the end of the decade. In 1865, the town was incorporated as a city, and by 1870, the population had risen to 14,387. Burlingtonians of the era enjoyed "modern conveniences," such as natural gas for heating and lighting, a water works and sewer system, daily newspapers, and other amenities of comfortable living. Burlington's beauty, as well as a determined promotional campaign by Ira Allen, made it a natural location for the University of Vermont, chartered in 1791 by the state legislature. In time, other institutions of higher learning were also attracted to the Queen City and its environs. The founding and growth of Trinity College, Champlain College, Burlington College, and Community College of Vermont in Burlington, and nearby St. Michael's College profoundly shaped the character of Burlington.
Promotional material distributed by the Burlington Board of Trade in 1889 sounds similar to accounts recently published in Ladies' Home Journal and Conde´ Nast Travel, and reported on the Arts & Entertainment Channel's "Ten Best Cities" program that named Burlington as the top city in the United States in which to live. The 1889 account states: Burlington is the metropolis of Vermont, the capital of Chittenden County, and the trade center of Lake Champlain. It stands on the old seigniory of La Manaudiere, the property of Pierre Ramibault when the French began to settle on Lake Champlain. . . . No city or village in New England surpasses Burlington in beauty of location. . . . Burlington is fortunate not only in natural location and surroundings, but is kept inviting and healthy. Its streets are well-lined with shade trees, the water supply is pure and abundant, the police force prompt and efficient in enforcing the laws, and the fire department thoroughly organized, and supplemented by the fire alarm telegraph and telephone, furnish protection to property.
Besides businessmen and promoters, educators, doctors, ministers and statesmen also played their roles in shaping the city's culture. As a result, libraries, theater, an opera house, many churches, and social services have all combined to provide a quality of life Burlingtonians enjoy.
Burlington is a city formed of distinct neighborhoods, yet each has a charm that that may emphasize its distinction while it simultaneously provides a connection throughout the entire community. Architecture ranges from homes built by skilled carpenters who followed their own instincts, to those who used plans from books by A. J. Downing, to magnificent structures designed by architectural firms such as McKim, Mead & White. Whatever the source, the resulting buildings became an integral part of the community landscape, and many are still in use today.
The Hill Section once encompassed large estates that have subsequently been subdivided. A number of the original mansions still exist; some as private homes or apartment buildings, while others are used by the University of Vermont or Champlain College as dormitories, classrooms, or administrative offices. Subdivision occurred during different periods, styles of the homes reflecting the era of their construction. In the part of Burlington that lies between Pearl Street and the South End, and the University and Waterfront, the majority of streets were laid out and homes built before the advent of the automobile. On the east side of South Union Street near Edmunds Middle School, a relic of that era remains. A lone iron hitching post stands sentinel along the curb.
Traveling west on Main Street toward the waterfront, the magnificence of the Lake and distant Adirondacks enhance the New England flavor of Burlington. Once the business and commercial center of Burlington, the waterfront is once more regaining prominence. Original buildings, including the Pomeroy House, have been restored, and Union Station has undergone an extensive revitalization project. A commuter train from Charlotte and Shelburne now makes regular stops at the station. Once more an active waterfront, visitors and residents enjoy the shops, restaurants, cruises, walking tours, and other activities. Luxury condominiums offer incredible lake views and easy access to downtown. Additional housing and recreation opportunities for the waterfront are currently in the planning and implementation stages.
The automobile influenced street width in the New North End and South End. Growth in the South End burgeoned during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Red Rocks Park at the foot of Flynn and Home Avenues has long been a favorite destination, as is Queen City Park, just over the boundary line. Most of the development in the New North End occurred after World War II, when mortgages with reduced interest rates were made available to veterans. North Avenue, now a busy thoroughfare, was still a dirt road during the early 1930s. Colonials, raised ranches, and ranch-style homes are prevalent throughout both neighborhoods.
For more than 150 years, the Old North End has attracted a steady stream of immigrants. Between 1885 and 1940, the area surrounding Pomeroy Park was home to Burlington's Jewish Community; synagogues and Hebrew schools allowing the sustenance and preservation of a small-town Eastern European culture. The area has been an important part of the Burlington economy and is now undergoing revitalization, with renovation and restoration of homes and businesses.
Long the business center of Burlington, Church Street Marketplace has been said to be similar to that of Boston's Faneuil Hall. Excellent restaurants, quaint shops, and nationally known retailers furnish customers with a unique year-round dining and shopping experience. Area residents stroll down Church Street on warm summer evenings, greeting friends as they enjoy balmy weather. Thousands join the revelry each New Year's Eve as the city celebrates First Night.
Culture and the arts are high priority in Burlington. Both public and private schools are high quality. Although a small city, four institutions of higher learning call Burlington home; the University of Vermont, Champlain College, Community College of Vermont, and Burlington College. St. Michael's College is nearby. The Fletcher Free Library has an extensive collection and is connected to the inter-library loan system throughout the state. Big-name entertainers, road troupes of Broadway plays, and local theatrical and musical groups perform at the Flynn Theater and Memorial Auditorium. For those who love rock music, Burlington is the home of "Phish." It is not only Burlington's location that makes it special, the people, scenery, and events throughout history have molded this small city into the unique community it is today.