St. Albans (town), Vermont
Encyclopedia
St. Albans is a town
in Franklin County
, Vermont
. The population was 6,392 at the 2010 census. The town completely surrounds the city of St. Albans
, which was separated from the town and incorporated in 1902. References to "St. Albans" prior to this date generally refer to the town center, which now belongs to the city. Located on the shore of Lake Champlain
, St. Albans features events honoring maple syrup
; the Vermont Maple Festival
is held in St. Albans each year.
"Champ
" was allegedly sighted and photographed near there also.
The creature in Lake Champlain was ostensibly given in 1609 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain
, the founder of Québec and the lake's namesake, who is supposed to have been the first white man to record spotting "Champ" as he was fighting the Iroquois on the bank of the lake. However, in actuality no such sighting was recorded, and it has since been traced back to a 1970 article. On October 19, 1864, St. Albans was the site of the St. Albans Raid
, the northernmost Confederate land action of the American Civil War
, which was basically, an enemy cavalry raid and bank robbery across the border from Quebec, Canada. Amelia Earhart
was said to have flown here May 22, 1934.
, the town has a total area of 60.6 square miles (156.8 km2), of which 37.6 square miles (97.3 km2) is land and 23.0 square miles (59.6 km2) (37.98%) is water.
, there were 5,086 people, 1,836 households and 1,404 families residing in the town. The population density
was 135.4 per square mile (52.3/km2). There were 2,257 housing units at an average density of 60.1 per square mile (23.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.95% White, 0.39% Black or African American
, 0.75% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.16% from other races
, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.
There were 1,836 households of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.6% were married couples
living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.01.
Age distribution was 27.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
The median household income
was $46,875, and the median family income was $53,147. Males had a median income of $34,698 versus $26,000 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,604. About 7.4% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Franklin County
Franklin County, Vermont
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 47,746. Its shire town is the City of St. Albans.-Geography:...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. The population was 6,392 at the 2010 census. The town completely surrounds the city of St. Albans
St. Albans (city), Vermont
St. Albans is a city in and the shire town of Franklin County, Vermont, in the United States. At the 2000 census, the city population was 7,650. St Albans City is completely surrounded by St. Albans town, which is incorporated separately from the city of St. Albans...
, which was separated from the town and incorporated in 1902. References to "St. Albans" prior to this date generally refer to the town center, which now belongs to the city. Located on the shore of Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
, St. Albans features events honoring maple syrup
Maple syrup
Maple syrup is a syrup usually made from the xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple, or black maple trees, although it can also be made from other maple species such as the bigleaf maple. In cold climates, these trees store starch in their trunks and roots before the winter; the starch is then...
; the Vermont Maple Festival
Vermont Maple Festival
The Vermont Maple Festival is a food and arts celebration held at St. Albans in the U.S. state of Vermont.The festival is a three-day event held annually over the last weekend in April. During the event, there are exhibits and demonstrations, entertainment, and a craft show all dedicated to maple...
is held in St. Albans each year.
History
The lake monsterLake monster
A lake monster or loch monster is a purported form of fresh-water-dwelling megafauna appearing in mythology, rumor, or local folklore, but whose existence lacks scientific support. A well known example is the Loch Ness Monster. Lake monsters' depictions are often similar to some sea monsters...
"Champ
Champ (legend)
Champ, or Champie, or Champy, is the name given to a reputed lake monster living in Lake Champlain, a natural freshwater lake in North America, partially situated across the U.S.-Canada border in the Canadian province of Quebec and partially situated across the Vermont-New York border...
" was allegedly sighted and photographed near there also.
The creature in Lake Champlain was ostensibly given in 1609 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain , "The Father of New France", was a French navigator, cartographer, draughtsman, soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnologist, diplomat, and chronicler. He founded New France and Quebec City on July 3, 1608....
, the founder of Québec and the lake's namesake, who is supposed to have been the first white man to record spotting "Champ" as he was fighting the Iroquois on the bank of the lake. However, in actuality no such sighting was recorded, and it has since been traced back to a 1970 article. On October 19, 1864, St. Albans was the site of the St. Albans Raid
St. Albans raid
The St. Albans Raid was the northernmost land action of the American Civil War, taking place in St. Albans, Vermont on October 19, 1864.-Background:In this unusual incident, Bennett H. Young led Confederate States Army forces...
, the northernmost Confederate land action of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, which was basically, an enemy cavalry raid and bank robbery across the border from Quebec, Canada. Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
was said to have flown here May 22, 1934.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 60.6 square miles (156.8 km2), of which 37.6 square miles (97.3 km2) is land and 23.0 square miles (59.6 km2) (37.98%) is water.
Demographics
At the 2000 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 5,086 people, 1,836 households and 1,404 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 135.4 per square mile (52.3/km2). There were 2,257 housing units at an average density of 60.1 per square mile (23.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.95% White, 0.39% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.75% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.16% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.
There were 1,836 households of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.01.
Age distribution was 27.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
The median household income
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
was $46,875, and the median family income was $53,147. Males had a median income of $34,698 versus $26,000 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $18,604. About 7.4% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Bradley BarlowBradley BarlowBradley Barlow was a United States Representative from Vermont. He was born in Fairfield, Vermont. He attended the common schools and then engaged in mercantile pursuits in Philadelphia until 1858, when he moved to St...
, US Representative, industrialist. - William BeaumontWilliam BeaumontWilliam Beaumont was a surgeon in the U.S. Army who became known as the "Father of Gastric Physiology" following his research on human digestion.-Early life:...
, army physician. - Paul BlackburnPaul Blackburn (U.S. poet)Paul Blackburn was an American poet. He influenced contemporary literature through his poetry, translations and the encouragement and support he offered to fellow poets.-Biography:...
, poet. - Lawrence BrainerdLawrence BrainerdLawrence Brainerd was a businessman, abolitionist and United States Senator from Vermont. He was the father of Anne Eliza Brainerd Smith and the father-in-law of Vermont Governor J. Gregory Smith....
, senator. - Richard BrewerRichard BrewerRichard M. "Dick" Brewer , was an American cowboy and outlaw. He was the first leader of what historically is referred to as Billy the Kid's band, although Billy never led them.-Early life:...
, assumed leader of Billy the Kid'sBilly the KidWilliam H. Bonney William H. Bonney William H. Bonney (born William Henry McCarty, Jr. est. November 23, 1859 – c. July 14, 1881, better known as Billy the Kid but also known as Henry Antrim, was a 19th-century American gunman who participated in the Lincoln County War and became a frontier...
band. - Abbott Lowell CummingsAbbott Lowell CummingsAbbott Lowell Cummings is a noted architectural historian and genealogist, best known for his study of New England architecture. He currently lives in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.Cummings was born in St...
, architectural historian and genealogist. - Sile DotySile DotySile Doty was an infamous robber, burglar, horse thief, highwayman, counterfeiter, and criminal gang leader. Doty's criminal career is known primarily through his autobiography, compiled by J. G. W...
, infamous robber, burglar, horse thiefHorse thief-United States:The term horse thief came into great popularity in the U.S. during the 19th century. During that time the Great Plains states, Texas, and other western states were sparsely populated and negligibly policed. As farmers tilled the land and migrants headed west through the Great...
, highwaymanHighwaymanA highwayman was a thief and brigand who preyed on travellers. This type of outlaw, usually, travelled and robbed by horse, as compared to a footpad who traveled and robbed on foot. Mounted robbers were widely considered to be socially superior to footpads...
, counterfeiterCounterfeit moneyCounterfeit money is currency that is produced without the legal sanction of the state or government to resemble some official form of currency closely enough that it may be confused for genuine currency. Producing or using counterfeit money is a form of fraud or forgery. Counterfeiting is probably...
, and criminal gang leader. - John LeClairJohn LeClairJohn Clark LeClair is an American former professional ice hockey left winger who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins...
, professional hockey player - John Gregory Smith, governor.
- William Farrar SmithWilliam Farrar SmithWilliam Farrar Smith , was a civil engineer, a member of the New York City police commission, and Union general in the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
era general. - Benjamin SwiftBenjamin SwiftBenjamin Swift was a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator and lawyer from Vermont.Swift was born in Amenia, New York. He moved with his father to Bennington, Vermont at the age of 5. In 1809 he moved to St. Albans, Vermont and became an important lawyer, banker and farmer in that area...
, senator.