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History of St Albans, Vermont, USA

Name: St Albans, Vermont, USA
Address: St Albans, Vermont, USA

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ABOUT THE PLACE

About St Albans

St Albans, Vermont, USA - St Albans, Vermont, USA - 1890s w. D. Chandler, Photographer St. Albans, Vt.

St. Albans is a city in northwestern Vermont, situated in Franklin County. It's a bustling city with a historic downtown area. St. Albans Bay on Lake Champlain offers opportunities for boating and water activities, making it a popular destination for recreation.

St. Albans was so called in honor of Alban, a Roman Christian, and the first martyr in Britain.
How New England Towns Received Their Names
The Day
New London, Connecticut
October 21, 1914

The area was part of the French seigniory of La Douville from 1664 to 1763. The town was chartered in 1763 and organized in 1788. St. Albans village, set off and incorporated in 1859, became a city in 1897. Its location near the Canadian border made it popular with smugglers, who used it as a base between 1807 and 1812. The town was also a station on the Underground Railroad. It was the site of the St. Albans Raid, the northernmost engagement of the American Civil War, when on October 19, 1864, a small force of Confederate soldiers looted the town’s banks. In 1866 the Fenians, an Irish nationalist secret society, pledged to invade Canada and made St. Albans their headquarters prior to an abortive raid across the border. Maple sugar production is the major industry; tourists visit the city for the annual Maple Festival in April. Dairying and ice cream making also are important. britannica.com

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VINTAGE ST ALBANS

St Albans Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

St Albans, Vermont, USA

1890s
w. D. Chandler, Photographer
St. Albans, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Main Street, St. Albans, Vermont

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Main Street

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Custom House and Post Office, 1907

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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City Hall, St. Albans, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Kingman Street, 1908

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St Albans, Vermont, USA

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High School

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Bank Street

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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R.R. Station

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Champlain Country Club

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Central Vermont R.R. Yards looking North from Weldon St.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Boat Landing, St. Albans Bay, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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St. Albans, Vt., Church St. Court House on right

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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First Congregational Church and Chapel

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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St Albans, Vt. Central Vermont R.R. Station

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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St. Lukes Episcopal Church

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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The Hosptial

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Woods Island

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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The American House, St. Albans, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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High Street, Looking North

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Rocky Point

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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The Tavern, St. Albans, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Main Street from Lake Street, St. Albans, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Lake Champlain at St. Albans Bay, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Main Street from Taylor Park

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Bathing Beach at State Park, St. Albans Bay, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Bellows Free Academy

St Albans, Vermont, USA

Green Mountain Pure Vermont Maple Syrup
Packed by Green Mountain Packing Co., Inc., St. Albans, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Main Street, looking South

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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St. Mary's Church & Rectory

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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The Armory, St. Albans, Vt., 1931

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Arrowhead Lake and Dam between St. Albans and Burlington, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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St Mary's School

also showing Villa Barlow Convent and Hospital

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Post Office and Custom House

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Kerbs Memorial Hospital

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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National Carbon Co.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Residence of Ex. Gov. E. C. Smith

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Air View of St. Albans, Vt.

St Albans, Vermont, USA

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Blue Lion - Ye Old English Grill, 71-73 North Main Street

GENEALOGY SHOP

Genealogy Gifts & Finds

Discover gifts inspired by St Albans, plus books and genealogy resources for exploring your family history.

FEATURED GIFTS

Gifts Inspired by ST ALBANS

VERMONT Ancestors Genealogy Mug - Maple Syrup, Skiing and Craft Breweries - Vermont Roots Gift

Vermont ancestry explains a lot. 🍁 Celebrate your Green Mountain roots with a playful mix of skiing, pure maple syrup, sugar on snow, Vermont creemees, craft breweries, covered bridges and mountain scenery, all wrapped up in a vintage-inspired tribute to the place your ancestors called home.

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VERMONT Long Trail Mug – Vintage Postcard - Hiking & Adventure Coffee Cup

Carry a piece of Vermont with every sip! The Long Trail Vermont Mug features vintage postcard art and the charming slogan “Following Footprints of the Past on the Long Trail!” Perfect for hikers, history buffs, and coffee lovers alike, this high-quality ceramic mug is dishwasher & microwave safe. Ideal for sipping coffee while planning your next trek, reminiscing about past hikes, or cozy mornings with maps spread out, it’s a heartfelt nod to adventure, nature, and the trails that connect us. Bring warmth, story, and a touch of Vermont to your kitchen or campsite!

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VERMONT Long Trail Aluminum Bookmark - Following in the Footsteps of Hikers Before Me

Mark your place in style with this durable aluminum bookmark featuring a vintage postcard image of Vermont’s legendary Long Trail. Adorned with the inspiring slogan "Following in the Footsteps of Those Who Hiked Before Me!", it’s the perfect keepsake for outdoor enthusiasts, history lovers, and Long Trail hikers. Lightweight yet sturdy, this bookmark makes a great gift for bookworms and adventurers alike. Whether you're reading trail guides or your favorite novel, let this bookmark keep the spirit of the Long Trail alive!

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BOOKS & RESOURCES

Books & Genealogy Resources Related to ST ALBANS

It Happened in Vermont

The Little Local Vermont Cookbook: Recipes for Classic Dishes

The Vermont Country Store Cookbook: Recipes, History, and Lore from the Classic American General Store

American Cookery: The Historic Colonial Cookbook First Published in 1796

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LOCAL HISTORY

Discover St Albans: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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1791 - Population of St. Albans, Vermont - 256

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1800 - Population of St. Albans, Vermont - 901

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1810 - Population of St. Albans, Vermont - 1,609

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1820 - Population of St. Albans, Vermont - 1,636

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1830 - Population of St. Albans, Vermont - 2,395

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1839 - St. Albans

St. Albans, Vermont
Shire town of Franklin county. This town is bounded on the west by Champlain lake. It lies 46 miles N.W. from Montpelier, and 25 N. from Burlington. First settled about the year 1783. Population 1830, 2,395. The soil of this town is fertile, and under the management of good farmers, is rendered very productive. In 1837 there were 8,459 sheep in the town, and the exports of wool and other productions of the soil are large and valuable. The water communications by the lake to New York and Canada, render St. Albans a mart of considerable trade from the surrounding country. The first vessel from Lake Champlain, that arrived at New York, by the northern canal, was from, built and owned at St. Albans.

The Village of St. Albans is beautifully situated on elevated ground, and commands a fine prospect. It contains many handsome buildings, and is a busy place in the manufacture of various articles. It lies three miles from the lake, and twelve miles from the line of...

1840 - Population of St. Albans, Vermont - 2,702

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

1849 St. Albans

FRANKLIN Co. This is the shire town. The soil of St. Albans is fertile, and under the management of good farmers, is rendered very productive. The exports of wool, and other productions of the soil, are large and valuable.

The water communications by the lake to New York and Canada, render St. Albans a mart of considerable trade from the surrounding country. The first vessel from Lake Champlain that arrived at New York, by the northern canal was from, built, and owned at St. Albans.

The village of St. Albans is beautifully situated on elevated ground, and commands a fine prospect. It contains many handsome buildings, and is a busy place in the manufacture of various articles. It lies three miles from the lake, and fifteen from the line of Canada.

Boundaries. North by Swanton, east by Fairfield, south by Georgia, and west by Lake Champlain. a part of which separates it from North Hero.

First Settlers. J. Walder is supposed to have been the first civilized person who...

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1854 - St. Alban's

St. Alban's, a flourishing post-village and seat of justice of Franklin county, Vermont, on the Vermont Central railroad, about 3 miles E. from Lake Champlain, and 24 N. by E. from Burlington. The site is elevated, and in the centre is a handsome public square. Besides the county buildings, the village contains 3 or 4 churches, a bank, and 2 newspaper offices.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1864 - October 19 - Approx 25 Confederates make surprise attack on St Albans, Vermont

historyorb.com

1868 - Twenty-two hundred gallons of mineral water are shipped from St. Albans, Vt., weekly.

St Joseph Herald

Saint Joseph, Michigan

April 18, 1868

1891 - MANY BUILDINGS DESTROYED. FIRE DOES MUCH DAMAGE IN THE BUSINESS PART OF ST. ALBANS, VT.

St. Albans, Vt., Nov. 26. - A fire, which broke out about 12:30 o'clock this morning, proved to be the most disastrous that St. Albans has known for many years. The total loss is estimated at $150,000. The flames were first seen in a small barn rented by CHARLES BAILEY, a hackman, and situated in the rear of a store in Main Street. The wind was blowing from a northerly direction, and it drove the fire into STROUD'S livery barns. Owing to the stiff breeze the fire had its own way until the stables, eight business houses, WAUGH'S Opera House, and several law offices were wiped out.

Sparks fell into the latticed tower of the Congregational Church above the reach of water, and in a short time the church was a mass of ruins. The roof of the Weldon House caught fire once and several buildings were in like danger.

The principal losses and insurance, so far as can be learned, are as follows:
WAUGH'S Opera House, loss $20,000, insurance $9,000.
RICHARDSON, TWIGG & Co., dry goods, loss...

1893 - SHAKEN BY AN EARTHQUAKE

MILD SENSATION IN THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY REGION.
Considerable Alarm Felt in Montreal, Particularly in the Narrow Streets - Buildings Tremble and the Inmates Flee in Fright - Residents of Malone Greatly Excited - Reached Over Into New-Hampshire and Massachusetts.

BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 27.- A severe earthquake shock shook the buildings throughout the city at 11:53 o'clock this forenoon. The duration of the shock was about fifteen seconds. It was accompanied by a low rumbling noise. Telegrams and telephone messages from surrounding towns report the shock as having occurred simultaneously throughout Western Vermont. Eastern New-York, and most of the Providence of Quebec and a part of Ontario...

ST. ALBANS, Vt., Nov. 27. - An earthquake shock was felt in St. Albans a few minutes before noon. The movement of the earth was from south to north. The shock was of three to five second's duration. Buildings were shaken perceptibly, and the inmates rushed into the street in a number of...

1895 - Saint Albans

Saint Albans, a handsome post-town, capital of Franklin co., Vt., in St. Albans township, 3 miles E. of Lake Champlain, about 30 miles N. by E. of Burlington, 24 miles S.E. of Rouse's Point, and 59 miles N.N.W. of Montpelier. It is connected with all these places by the Central Vermont Railroad. It is pleasantly situated on an elevated plain, with a park of 4 acres in the centre, and contains a court-house, a high school, several churches, a first-class hotel, 2 national banks, a savings-bank, a rolling mill, and a large manufactory of locomotives and railroad cars, owned by the railroad company. One daily and 2 weekly newspapers are published here. Large quantities of butter are exported from this place, mostly to Boston. The township of St. Albans is bounded on the W. by Lake Champlain, and is diversified by high hills and picturesque scenery. Pop. of village, about 6000; of township, 7771.

Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1900 - FIRE ON DIAMOND ST.

House of James Lynch Badly Damaged This Morning.
Fire was discovered in the shed adjoining the house on Diamond st., owned by James Lynch, this morning at 7:30 o’clock. The fire had been burning some time before one of the neighbors saw the flames and gave the alarm from box 42.

The interior of the house was badly damaged by water and fire, and the roof was completely demolished. The loss will not be so heavy as would be imagined from the progress the fire had made before the alarm was given, and the high wind which was prevailing. The fire originated in the shed, but it is impossible to ascertain the cause. The family who occupy the lower tenement was away for over Sunday and had not returned, and their rooms down stairs were locked.

The upper tenement is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lozelle. Mrs. Lozelle was in the house, but knew nothing of the fire until after the alarm was given. The furniture, both upstairs and down, was saved, being carried out before the fire had...

1904 - Peculiar Accident

Ruby Seaver, little daughter of E. K. Seaver, of Morrisville, burned one arm badly in a peculiar manner recently. Suffering from a pain in the arm, she placed an electric bulb against the member under the bed clothing. So much heat generated from the lamp that her clothing caught fire and her arm was scorched considerably.

St. Albans Daily Messenger

St. Albans, Vermont

December 13, 1904

1906

Saint Albans, a city, capital of Franklin co., Vt., 2 1/ 2 miles E. of Lake Champlain, about 30 miles N. by E. of Burlington, on the Central Vermont R. It is pleasantly situated on an elevated plain, with a central park, and contains a court-house, the School of Notre Dame, foundries and machine-shops, railroad-car shops, and manufactories of overall, implements, etc. Large quantities of butter and cheese are exported from this place. Pop. in 1900, 6239.

Saint Albans, a township (town) of Franklin co., Vt. Pop. in 1900, 1715.

Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1908 - Badly Scalded by Steam.

C. R. Smith, of Messenger st., who is employed by the Central Vermont railway as an engineer, was badly scalded about the head and face Friday. While working under the engine, at Randolph, he opened the cylinder cock which allowed the steam to escape upon him. He was brought to his home, in this city and it is expected that he will soon recover from the effects of the accident.

St. Albans Daily Messenger

St. Albans, Vermont

June 25, 1908

1914 - Snow and Lightning - Peculiar Storm in This City - Severe South Wind Follows.

St. Albans and vicinity experienced a very peculiar and unusual storm Saturday afternoon about 4 o'clock.

About noon the mercury began to drop and at 4 o'clock a snow storm occured. The flakes were large and fell thick and fast, melting almost as they fell.

Then suddenly out of the blinding storm came flashes of lightning. It was a most beautiful sight, the great flashes appearing through millions of snow flakes. There were also loud crashes of thunder to make the storm more uncanny.

The snow soon disappeared, but a severe south wind prevailed all the evening.

St Albans Messenger

St Albans, Vermont

November 12, 1914

St Albans is the wettest city in Vermont, averaging 118 days of precipitation each year.

National Weather Service

St. Albans, Vermont has a lot to offer! Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around the area:

St. Albans Historical Museum: Dive into the rich history of the region at this museum. It features exhibits that showcase the development of St. Albans from its early days to the present.

Taylor Park: Take a leisurely stroll through this charming park. It's a great place to relax, have a picnic, or simply enjoy the greenery. In the winter, the park is transformed into a snowy wonderland.

Lake Champlain: St. Albans is located near Lake Champlain, providing opportunities for water activities. You can go fishing, boating, or just enjoy the scenic views of the lake.

BFA-St. Albans Performing Arts Center: Check out local talent at the performing arts center. They host a variety of events, from theater productions to musical performances.

Chow Bella: Treat your taste buds at this local gem. It's a popular spot for delicious Italian cuisine. The cozy atmosphere adds to the dining experience.

Hathaway Farm & Corn Maze: If you're visiting in the fall, don't miss the chance to...

GENEALOGY IN ST ALBANS

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Updated: 1/10/2025 1:06:25 PM

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