Swanton, Vermont
Franklin county. This township is situated on the east side of Lake Champlain, opposite to North Hero and Alburgh. It is 50 miles N.W. from Montpelier, 28 N. from Burlington, and is bounded by St. Albans on the south, and Highgate on the north. Population, 1830, 2,158. Swanton was first settled by the whites in 1787. At that time the St. Francois Indians had about fifty cabins here and large plantations of corn.
Missisque river passes through Swanton, and fertilizes a considerable portion of its territory. This river is navigable for lake vessels to Swanton falls, six miles from its mouth. These falls descend twenty feet, and, with other smaller streams, give Swanton a water power of great value.
Bog iron ore is found in this town, and an abundance of beautiful marble. This marble is of various colors, and large quantities of it are wrought into all desired patterns, polished, and transported.
The surface and soil of the town is favorable to agricultural pursuits, with the exception of a part bordering the lake, which is low, wet and cold; and which is the favorite abode, in summer, of wild geese, ducks, and other water fowls.
The village of Swanton is pleasantly located, and is the site of a number of manufactories, and of an increasing trade from the interior country, and to New York and Canada.
Swanton may boast of the purity of its air and water, and of a Walter Scott, who died in 1815, aged 110 years.
