Hidden History of Franklin County, Vermont

Book excerpt: Tucked between the Canadian border and Lake Champlain, Franklin County was one of colonial America's earliest economic, military and cultural byways. From Native American occupation to America's early wars and bootlegging, many of the region's stories remain untold. Revolutionary War heroics in Swanton included skirmishes over Simon Metcalf's prized sawmill. Tory families settled in the border town of Highgate right after the war, mistakenly believing they were in Canada. Lake Champlain and the small rivers of the county were a key resource for the once-thriving ice harvesting industry. From the development of the first poor farms to the "Back to the Land" movement, the region has experienced fascinating social and economic change. Join local historian and author Jason Barney as he unveils the area's forgotten past.