The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-20
Grand Isle County.

IT Mis- County is situated in the extreme north west
Of the State of Vermont, and with the excep
ton of the north line of the town of Alburgh it is entirely
surrounded by the waters of Lake Champan. 1t con-
sists of five towns viz. Alburgh point setting into
the Lake from the NORTH with population in 1890 of
614 Isle La Motto Island southwest Of Albugh,
population 5O4 North Hero southeast of Aburgh con-
ssts of one large island and several smaller Ones with
population of 637 Grand Isle, SOUTH occupies the
northern half of the island of Grand Ise with several adj
iacent smaller islands; with population Of 746; South
Hero occupies the south half of Grand Isle, with
small islands, and has population of 620.
The surface of the County is generally rolling with no
mountains no large streams, and few swamps.
The basis of the soil Champain clay, modified some
what in places by drift and the decomposition of the
DERIVING rock which, with the exception of Isle La Motto
and small part of the shore of Grand Isle, Utica
slate. In the exceptions named the rock is Chazy and
Trenton limestone. The clay soil prevails over large
portion of the north part of the County, and is nearly
level free from stone and is excellent for grass, wheat
oats, etc., and when properly underdrained, produces
good crops of corn beans, etc. The slaty hills and
ridges and the more billy portions where the clay is
more less mixed with the drift the soil is excellent for
fruit potatoes peas, BEANS clover and all garden crops
The adaptaby of the soil of Grand Isle County for va
GUS farm products may be shown by the following facts
From the first settlement down to about 1885 the pnc
pal money crop wheat large crops Of both winter and
spring varieties being raised From that date to about
1865 the main reliance for money merno sheep and
wool nearly every farm was stocked to its full capac-
ity with Sheep and they remarkably vigorous and
healthy This County never visited by the diseases
which proved so destructive to ocks in other parts of
the County At present the industries of the people are
more diversified than at any previous time. Hay is
largely sold from farms well adapted to that product
oats BEANS potatoes, and onions staple crops
majority of FARMS and many are engaged in dairying
with good success The production Of fruit, especially
of winter varieties of apples, is attracting considerable
attention. and it will soon if it does not now, stand at
the head of our money crops. Within few years
era large farms in various parts Of the County have been
devoted mainly to the raising of fine horses with fair
prospect OF success.
The first settlers of Grand Isle County were mainly
from the older New England colonies of English Stock
and they made their first settlement about the year 1888
Later there has been considerable influx of Canadians,
and there are few Of other nationaes among the in
habitants
There are no Mines factories or manufactures of any
extent. Each town has small village or corners,
where the churches posoce store, and various shops
are located.
Within few years the attractions of our beautiful
lake have become known to pleasure seekers from other
States as we'll our own, and each year brings more
and more of them here to spend few weeks in summer
enjoy the good fishing and cool bracng air. Many have
boughta choice bit of shore, point or tiny island
and built thereon their summer cottages more or less
costly and elaborate their fancy dictates
They are gladly welcomed by the people. Even some
times the thrifty islanders make the mnistering to the
wants of the strangers their best paying crop.
This is sometimes called the County of Bridges.
Besides the two long bridges of the Central Vermont
R. which connect Aburgh with the main land on tn
east and west, there three fine draw bridges acros
arms Of the Lake, from Isle La Motto to Alburgh,
burgh to North Hero, and from North Hero to Crane
Isle each nearly half mile long, and built at tn
joint expense OF the State and the towns South Her
is connected with the main land by the sand bar bridge
causeway nearly three miles long, and another fine sing