Burlington history

Foundation and First Records

The history of Burlington began with an official document rather than immediate settlement. The city was established on June 7, 1763, based on a charter signed by Benning Wentworth, the Governor of the Province of New Hampshire. It is believed that the settlement was named in honor of the Burling family, prominent landowners of that time.

Actual development of the land commenced later, in the 1770s. A key figure in the city's early history was Ira Allen, brother of the famous Ethan Allen. He conducted a topographical survey of the area and actively promoted the settlement's development by building the first sawmill and shipyard here.

Key Factors of Formation

Burlington's transformation from a forest outpost into the region's economic hub was driven by a unique combination of geography and enterprise:

• Strategic Location: The city is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. This provided a direct water route for trade with Canada to the north and, later, with the Hudson Valley to the south.
• Timber Industry: The surrounding forests were rich in valuable timber. Log driving and the lumber trade became the foundation of the early economy.
• Shipping: Burlington quickly became an important port. A landmark event was the launch of the steamboat "Vermont" in 1808 — one of the first commercial steam vessels in the world.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, Burlington stood out from other Vermont settlements due to its commitment to enlightenment. As early as 1791, the year Vermont joined the USA, the University of Vermont was founded here. This event secured the city's status not only as a trading hub but also as the intellectual center of the state.

Economically, the city flourished due to its role as a transit point. Goods arriving by water were distributed from here throughout the region, contributing to the growth of the merchant class and the development of urban infrastructure as early as the beginning of the 19th century.

Major Milestones in Burlington's History

• 1763: Governor of the Province of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth, signs the charter establishing the town.
• 1773: Start of actual settlement of the territory and construction of the first sawmill on the Winooski River by the Allen family.
• 1791: Founding of the University of Vermont, which became the fifth college established in New England.
• 1808: Launch of the steamboat "Vermont" on Lake Champlain, marking the beginning of the era of commercial steam navigation.
• 1812–1814: During the War of 1812, the city serves as a strategic military post and troop station.
• 1823: Opening of the Champlain Canal, connecting the lake to the Hudson River and opening a direct trade route to New York.
• 1850: Completion of the railroad connecting Burlington with Boston and the Atlantic coast.
• 1865: Burlington officially receives city status, merging the settlement with surrounding territories.
• 1870s: The city becomes the third-largest lumber trade center in the United States.
• 1906: Launch of the electric tram system, significantly improving transport accessibility between districts.
• 1960s: A period of large-scale urban reconstruction, during which old industrial zones began giving way to new projects.
• 1981: Election of Bernie Sanders as mayor, marking the beginning of an era of progressive municipal governance.
• 1985: Opening of the famous pedestrian Church Street Marketplace, which became the main tourist and commercial artery.
• 1990s: Revitalization of the Lake Champlain waterfront, transforming a former industrial zone into a popular park and recreation area.

Stages of Development and Their Significance

The history of Burlington is a journey from a lumber port to a modern center of education and technology. Key development milestones shaped its current architectural appearance and economic profile.

• Opening of the Champlain Canal (1823)

  Connecting Lake Champlain with the Hudson River opened a direct water route to New York. This event transformed Burlington from a local settlement into a major trading port, through which goods flowed from Canada to the USA, laying the city's financial foundation.

• Railroad Boom (1850s)

  The arrival of the railroad linked the city to Boston and the Atlantic coast. This stimulated the development of the textile industry and wood processing, making Burlington the third-largest lumber trading center in the country by the late 19th century.

• Unification and Incorporation (1865)

  Officially obtaining City status allowed for the creation of a centralized management system. This launched large-scale infrastructure projects: construction of the city water supply system, sewage system, and street paving, which significantly improved the quality of life.

• Urban Reconstruction (1960s)

  Under federal urban renewal programs, old neighborhoods (specifically the historic "Little Italy" district) were demolished to make way for shopping centers and parking lots. This event had a dual significance: it modernized the center but sparked a powerful public movement for the preservation of historical heritage, which strongly influences city policy today.

• Opening of Church Street Marketplace (1981)

  The decision to close the main shopping street to cars and turn it into a pedestrian zone was a turning point. While the centers of many American cities were in decline, Burlington created a vibrant public space that attracted tourists and small businesses, becoming the heart of city life.

• Waterfront Revitalization (1990s)

  For a long time, the lake shore was occupied by industrial warehouses, railway tracks, and oil storage facilities. The cleanup and beautification program returned water access to residents, transforming the industrial zone into a park and recreational territory, which gave a powerful impulse to tourism development.

• Transition to the "Knowledge Economy" (Late 20th – Early 21st Century)

  With the decline of traditional manufacturing, the main drivers of the economy became the University of Vermont (UVM) and the Medical Center. The development of these institutions turned the city into a regional hub for medicine, education, and green technologies.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Burlington is a harmonious blend of New England historical heritage and the lively atmosphere of a university town. The urban landscape clearly demonstrates the history of the region's development: from industrial zones at the water's edge to the brick commercial center and majestic mansions on the hill. Here, the past is carefully preserved, skillfully integrating it into modern urban trends.

Historical Styles and Eras

The city's development was formed in several waves, each reflecting the economic successes of its time:

• Federal Style and Greek Revival (1800–1850s). In the early period, when the city was just becoming an important port, strict and symmetrical architecture prevailed. Brick buildings of that time, symbolizing order and democratic ideals, can be seen in the oldest buildings of the University of Vermont and around the town square.
• Victorian Eclecticism (1860–1900s). The era of the lumber industry boom brought wealth to the city, which was embodied in luxurious private residences. The "Hill Section" became an open-air museum where houses in Italianate, Second Empire, and Queen Anne styles coexist, adorned with complex decor, turrets, and spacious verandas.
• Richardsonian Romanesque. In the late 19th century, local red sandstone was often used for public buildings. This monumental style with massive arches and rough stonework lends a special, slightly austere but solemn character to the university campus and libraries.

Landmark Buildings and Attractions

To feel the architectural rhythm of Burlington, it is worth paying attention to key objects that have become the city's calling cards:

• Church Street Marketplace. A unique ensemble of 19th-century commercial architecture. Four blocks of brick buildings in Italianate and Art Deco styles were combined into a pedestrian zone, considered one of the most successful examples of city center revitalization in the USA.
• Billings Library. A true architectural gem designed by the famous architect H.H. Richardson. The building impresses with its powerful sandstone walls and dramatic arches, serving as a benchmark of the Romanesque style.
• City Hall. Built in 1928, this Colonial Revival style building with a red brick facade and white pilasters serves as the dominant feature of the business center.
• Follett House. An elegant mansion from 1840, built for tycoon Timothy Follett. This is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival, with its facade facing Lake Champlain, symbolizing the city's inseparable link with water trade routes.

The modern stage of the city's architectural development is characterized by the adaptive reuse of old buildings. Former warehouses and industrial facilities on the waterfront have today been transformed into public spaces and offices, preserving the industrial aesthetic in a new context.

Historical Figures and Founders

• Ira Allen
  Founder of the University of Vermont, politician, and surveyor
  Considered one of the key figures in the history of the city and state. Ira Allen not only donated land and funds for the founding of the University of Vermont (UVM) in 1791 but also actively promoted the economic development of the region by building dams and sawmills.
• Ethan Allen
  Leader of the "Green Mountain Boys" militia, hero of the Revolutionary War
  Although he spent most of his life in other parts of Vermont, the famous revolutionary lived his final years in Burlington. He is buried in the city's Green Mount Cemetery, where a majestic Tuscan column monument stands in his honor.

Politics and Society

• Bernie Sanders
  Politician, US Senator, former Mayor of Burlington
  Served as mayor of the city from 1981 to 1989. His tenure radically changed Burlington's political landscape and urban environment, including the creation of affordable housing and the development of public spaces, such as the Lake Champlain waterfront.
• Grace Coolidge
  First Lady of the United States (1923–1929), educator
  Born in Burlington and graduated from the University of Vermont. As the wife of the 30th US President Calvin Coolidge, she remained one of the most popular First Ladies in the country's history, known for her openness and work with the hearing impaired.
• Howard Dean
  Politician, former Governor of Vermont
  Started his political career in Burlington, working as a doctor and community activist. His activities contributed to strengthening Vermont's reputation as a progressive state with a developed healthcare system.

Culture, Science, and Entrepreneurship

• John Dewey
  Philosopher, psychologist, and education reformer
  Born in Burlington and a graduate of the local university. Dewey became one of the leading figures of American pragmatism and had a huge influence on pedagogy worldwide, promoting ideas of democratic education.
• Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield
  Entrepreneurs, philanthropists
  Founders of the world-famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s. They opened their first shop in 1978 in a renovated gas station building in downtown Burlington, making the city the birthplace of socially responsible business.
• Trey Anastasio
  Musician, composer, guitarist
  Leader of the cult rock band Phish, which was formed in Burlington during his university studies in 1983. The band became an integral part of the city's cultural code and the US music scene.