Serving Insurance in Shelburne, VT
History and Economy
Shelburne, Vermont is a suburb of Burlington, located 7 miles south of the city along the shores of Lake Champlain. It was chartered in 1763, and named in honor of the 2nd Earl of Shelburne. It covers 45.1 square miles, however 46% of that is water. Interestingly, it was chartered to be a larger town, but was forced to cede territory to the already established Burlington and Charlotte. The first settlers arrived in 1768, and it grew into a full-fledged town following the American Revolution.
With the Shelburne Falls and proximity to Lake Champlain, the area experienced a rapid expansion of business. A gristmill, fulling mill, and sawmill all took advantage of the falls. The Lake Champlain Transportation Company established itself in the harbor, launching a dozen steamboats into the lake. Today you can see one of these, the Ticonderoga on display at the Shelburne Museum. However, farming was the primary industry in the town. Today, while farming is still an important piece of the local economy, there are a diverse range of businesses including manufacturing, retail, restaurant, and hospitality.
Lake Champlain Region
The Lake Champlain region of Vermont is an area centered around Burlington, extending east to the mountains and up to the Lake Champlain Islands. This area consists of 2 of Vermont’s largest cities, the Burlington International Airport, a diverse range of industries, and some of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.
Lake Champlain is the 6th largest lake in the United States and was once briefly added to the list of Great Lakes. It is 120 miles long and 12 miles wide at its widest point. Its 587 miles of shoreline run through Vermont, New York, and Quebec. The lake played a vital role in the American Revolution and the War of 1812, as well as supporting commerce throughout the region. Today, it is one of the major tourist attractions in the region. Home of a 450 million year old fossil reef, local lore says there is a mysterious creature, Champ, living within its depths.
Tourism
One of Shelburne’s largest industries is in tourism. The town has a thriving restaurant and hospitality industry as well as several popular tourist attractions including:
- The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
- The Shelburne Museum
- Shelburne Farms
- Shelburne Vineyard
- Fiddlehead Brewery
Nearby, tourists will also find Ben & Jerry’s headquarters, Magic Hat Brewing, and other attractions. Throughout the area is historic New England charm. The town also hosts popular festivals, parades, races, and other events throughout the year, drawing people to the area.
Just east of Lake Champlain lay the mountain villages of Stowe and Waterbury. Here you will find the highest peak in Vermont, reaching nearly 4,400 feet. While the lake offers a wide variety of summer recreation, many tourists flock to the mountains here for world-class skiing and other winter sports, fall foliage, and summer hiking.
Shelburne, Vermont is a town with a long history of commerce, industry, and beauty. Today’s 7,000 residents continue the long held traditions, welcoming residents and tourist alike to enjoy all this unique area has to offer.
