About The Area: Bordering Lake
Champlain on the west, and the Canadian Border to the north, this area is very
diverse in its makeup. It also has a fascinating history, spanning everything
from railroads to The Civil War. Yes, The Civil War! This is
very much "Home Town America" with much of its heritage is
French-Canadian due to its proximity to Canada.
St. Albans: Located approximately 25 miles from Burlington and 11 miles
from the Canadian Border, St. Albans
has been rated as one
of the best small towns in America in Norman Crampton's "The One Hundred
Best Small Towns in America"... A great place to live! St. Albans is
both a city and a town, with separate governments.
The
City of St. Albans? Shops, Galleries, Restaurants and a great variety of
Lodging Establishments make St. Albans a great place to visit! And, their
Annual Vermont Maple Festival is one of the most popular events in all of Vermont.
Check out the Schedule of Events!
In
years gone by, it was referred to as "Railroad City", employing
approximately 1500, including, in related industries such as locomotive and
railroad car manufacturers.
And
in the years before that, 1864 to be precise, the Saint Albans Raid took place.
On October 19, 1864, 25 Confederate Soldiers from Canada raided the Union Town
of St. Albans, robbed 3 banks and shot up the town, and, stealing horses, fled
back into Canada with a posse in pursuit. They later surrendered to Canadian
authorities, and a portion of the stolen money was returned. Sound like the Old
West? Nope, it all took place in St. Albans Vermont. Visit the Saint
Albans Historical Museum for more about St. Albans' history.
The Town enjoys miles of lakefront on Lake Champlain. Burton Island State
Park, accessible only by ferry or private boat, is a popular visitor destination during the warmer
months. It's also a great place for camping. You can take the ferry to Burton
Island from Kill
Kare State Park on St. Albans Bay.
If you're a history buff, visiting this area and the Lake Champlain Islands are
a must!
