Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-10-04
,icabihy and Importance of road across the Green

MOUNTAINS 10 Stowe nave attended 10 the duties oil
their appointment and respectfully report follows
On the morning of Sept. 20 we left the store at the
base of the mountain on the west side, and passed
over by what is called the Stowe road in company
with others on this side to the number of u, far
as to the first farm in Mansfield, at the foot Of the
mountain on the east side. On the WY at the sum
init party of 20 from Mansfield and Stowe met the
party first mentioned and joined company. 1t was
found that the oil road at the summit passed over
hill and on the east side down somewhat difficult
ravine TO obvate which on our return we passed
through the woods over an easy assent from Mans
field westerly under the conduct of Mr.. Ivory Luce
of Man held an experienced woodsman, to the notch
at the summit OF the mountain, and thence after part
ing with our new friends, to the place of beginning
this side, by the road at which we went up The
distance from house 10 house on either side of the
mountain we nscertaned TO be Al miles. The diff
cultes in the making the road found concentrated
in the notch at the summit OF the mountain, where
for the space of half mile the passage is obucted
by rocks and stone, and where road has never been
attempted and which would bring down the present |
road AT the summit of the mountain, full 300 feet low
er. If these difficulties were removed and the road |
made, for this half mile through the notch, the re-
naming distance might he considered accomplished /;
such is the facility Of the route and the readiness of
the towns on either side 10 engagein the improvement
1t may be remarked here, that the Importance of
passage al the point over the mountain has long been
felt and efforts repeatedly made to effect il. Forty
years since land tax was levied on the town of Mans
field and the first road made and temporarily travel
led. iweny-one years since second INK secured a
SECOND TOau NJ some points varying from Inc frst,
but in the main following it. This road good
road and travelled by pleasure carriages with ease,
but after few years fell into decav In both insian
ces the road went into dssc for the sole reason that
the town through which it passes is a wild, unsettled
mountain town and destitute Of inhabitants whose
duty it would be 10 support it as by law is provided
! and not from any objections TO the 70 d. any lack
of interest IN ii. This last road is freely used by
footmcn and would were few trees removed which
have fallen across it, be quite passablc on horseback
in summer or by teams dur ing slelehing. Were
new road made il would undoubtedly facilitate the
passage by an easy ascent up the hill on the east side
to the NOTCH point full three hundred feet lower than
| that where the road now passes, and down on this
side by n route varying but little if any from the
present path. As to the difficulties in The NOTCH they
consist entirely in the loose rocks and stone which
! nave fallen doNn from the mouninns either side,
and the distance through; and these consider
when compared with the importance of the road as
nothing In the first place the distance is not great,
it being not more than half mile; in the next place
the rocks and stone all Of ffiabe nature being
the species termed Mica Slate, splitting readily with
crow bar and crumblinn under hehammcr and form
ing when broken good basis for permanent road.
Again the passage for the whole distance abundant
~ wide, It beng six or eight rods, and stall another
advantage i found in the grade of this part of the
road, being nearly level aud the expense Of good
permanent road hrongllthe notch not 10 exceed one
thousand dollars; n srm which we are assured the
people # Burlington, If public opinion awake To
the subject of good roads as it ought TO be- would
readily raise for this object
The Committee would here mention the concmpla
ted road as pr sen'ing ample fed TO the curious
traveller. BY the road side at the summit is spa
cous cave large enough to shelter hundred or more
persons, and which is called in ouson to the con
tents of its cnverns in mid summer the Everlasting
Ice House. This cave is formed by the leaning of
immense fiat rock against the protecting cliff and so
poised as to create IN the stranger the feeling of its
security from lis apparent suspension, in the air. SO
concealed are lis bearings its base beneath In
q corner an unexporei opening remains 10 be searched
out. stone thrown in shews, IN lis fall, an extern
slve opening yond.
At the summit also the same spring dvi les its wa
tiers 50 ms To run either way; the one falling east
ward and desccn ling by Stowe river /, Waterbury
ard the Onion; and the other west ward by Brown :
river TO the L1moille. The norch itself i object
of great curiosity; eli her side the mountains rise
10 immense heights, covered to the summit with
wood, and in one place presenting prcclpltous cliff
of hare rock, overhanging the roadside.
The magnitude of the trees AT the summit attracted
our notice. rock maple which measured gried
eight feet tall spruce nine feet and a yellow lirch
nj that point measured twelve feet in circumference.
The ravlne on the east side, in high water, envcns
the scene by IFS waterfalls After crossing ie noun
tain the roue is beauifed by passing for two miles
between parallel sprs of the mountain, of great
height, leading towards Stowe.
In connection, II may be stated that from this road
the path leads off 10 Mansfield mountain, point
commanding a view of the whole extent of Lake
Champain on the west and of a corresponding tract
of country on the east, except as interrupted by dis
. tant mountains. This point lies three miles north OF
the notch il has been so nnch frcqnenet of a'e as
the erection of shelter rpon the top and there is
some prospect that this will be done the ensuing sum
mer.
Your committee would conclude their report BY
reference to the advantages accrung, should this road
be made, 10 the citizens of Burlington. To one stand
Ing on Mansfield mountain, and acquainted only with
our own side hitherto, the most striking and at,rac'
tive object is the large and benutif valley lying nj hi
feet, hundred miles more in circumference, inter
rupted by hill tops and spurs of mountains, u stud
ded already with villages and presenting erea, ex
tent of woodland yet to be reclaimed, and all evident
ly waiting only for an opening ~ the Mountain II
order to pour lis commerce and uavel INTO the lap o
{ Burlington. We were told by Mr.. Luce, Of Mans
field tina, this short roa of - miles would save
himself and neighbours in going TO Burlington, Inc
4 distance of sixteen miles each way, it being by thu
present road around by Waterbury 40 miles, and b,
|. the Notch, "a miles. Stowe lies in the midst of thu
4 valley. with population Of l500. II has four villa
ges Mr. Thompson in his Gazetteer, speaks Of i
as one of the best farming towns in the State liz
gives its distance from Burlington by the Notch n
s % miles, whereas by the road which they at prcscn
are obliged 10 travel, II is IS miles making differ
ence OF 20 miles travel in every trip 10 Burlington
e and operating TO great extent TO turn the nnlura
cours, IF trade from us Worcester, Elmore, Hard
wick, and parts of other towns, are similarly situated
, Besides trade your committee consider the facilities
i, of tiavel an object of socltude 10 our citizens Bur
N lingon is yearly becoming more and more the rcsor
of travel for pleasure well business, and n,ucl
!. would be profably expended in increasing the at
tractveness To travellers of the place by opening
10 them of interest Parties are not untrecuen'
h here on their way to the White Mountains, Sucl
If persons would undoubtedly visit Mansfield on lhei
~ way, if their attention directed to 1t, with tn
If of road open the country beyond lead
!, ing directly 10 the object Of their destination AM
Is without doubt the opening of this short road wou
r. be followed AT once by mail and stage route from
70 here TO Danvc. Much might be SAID on other points
ID particularly as 10 granite aud other articles, nov
n brought TO us from great distances, which by TN
road would be furnished near n. hands but we con
clude with the wish that the speedy and sue
llshm n Il