Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-08-24
THROUGH The NOTCH
A Charming Vermont Scene of
Mountains, Lakes and Forests

Did you know that right here in
Essex county was one of natures
beauty spots as picturesque as any
in New England? Well, there is,
and all lovers of scenic beauty should
place this section of Vermont in
their itinerary for summer recrea-
ton.
A trip through the Notch gives a
variety of scenery that one will have
to travel many miles to duplicate.
AS you approach the Notch from Is
land Pond, on the right rises the
precipitous side of Mt. Bluff like an
immense cliff almost perpendicular,
making lone think of the palisades
on the Hudson. The mountain on
the left while not as steep has a
cliff-like formation that makes the
Notch seem like deep canon. From
the Notch the highway passes
through a forest fastness almost
primeval. Immense tracts of timber
land where thousands of acres of
forest-clad hills areseen on every side.
Set like diamonds in a verdure of
forest fastness glimmer the lakes
passed on this trips.
AS the highway approaches Nor
ton the land broadens and rich farm
ing lands are the homes of many
prosperous farmers. Norton is on
the border and the village is really
two villages, Norton and Stanhope,
with the international boundary line
passing between them. This rural,
peaceful scene with its charming
setting is broken by the tramp of
Canadian soldiers as they patrol the
bridge on the boundary line and re.
minds one of the great European
war now in progress, and mars this
pastoral scene with thoughts of the
fearful carnage of the battlefield.
From Norton to Averill Lake is a
short trip through fertile lands but
recently wrested from the forest.
Lakeside Inn is pretty hostelry in
viting in its restfulness and charm
ing scenery.
The return trip is equally delight
full and the mountain scenery far
more clearly defined and of greater
extent. Mount Bluff and Bald
Mountain rise like two sentinels
guarding this treasure of natural
beauty.
The highways are excellent and
the new road recently completed
through the unorganized townships
opens up this section for summer
travel. The building of this road
was commenced three years ago by
j. S. Sweeney, supervisor of the un-
organized towns and cores in Essex
county, and speaks in high terms of
Mr.. Sweeney's enterprise and good
business judgment. This highway is
built through the forest and for
miles there is no settlement. The
road passes over the Summit, 1900
feet above sea level, the highest
point of land between Portland and
and Montreal, over which the high.
way and Grand Trunk railway pass.
The highway is well constructed fol
a new road and kept in good condi.
tion and is the gateway for automo.
bile travel to Norton, Averill lakes,
Canaan and the province of Quebec
The land around Norton and Aver.
i'll is rich and grows fine crops. A
specimen of herdsgrass grown by
Mr.. Marsh, the merchant at Norton
and exhibited in his store, measured
five and one-half feet with large and
well filled heads and strong stalks.
Whenever opportunity offers take
a trip to Averill lakes and you will
be delighted, and like the Queen Of
Sheba will exclaim, 'The half has
never been told"