Burlington's Waterfront History Unveiled: A Dredging Project Yields Ancient Secrets
Burlington, Vermont's historic waterfront is revealing its secrets, one dredge at a time. A recent project on Lake Champlain has unearthed a treasure trove of historical artifacts, shedding light on the city's early days. Among the findings are timber logs, remnants of Burlington's first wharf, offering a glimpse into the city's past and the challenges it faced.
But here's where it gets fascinating. These logs, once part of a wall, were discovered in a location where boats couldn't reach the shore before development. This discovery raises questions about the city's early infrastructure and how it shaped Burlington's growth. Kate Kenny, a historian with UVM's Consulting Archaeology Program, is analyzing the logs, examining cuts in the wood to determine their era and matching them with historical records.
The wharf, dating back to the early 1800s, faced structural problems in the 1950s, with gaps allowing water to erode the foundation. This led to the construction of the Perkins Pier we know today in 1960. The project also uncovered a train wheel and glass bottles, adding to the historical narrative.
John Crock, the director of UVM's Consulting Archaeology Program, emphasizes the significance of these findings. "Depending on the species, we should be able to get a closer idea of when these timbers were cut, which will be indicative of the period of time. Getting at some of the story that’s beyond there just being a wharf—who did it, who’s responsible for it, and the history of Burlington that really contributed to the evolution of the waterfront."
As researchers continue to study the artifacts, the question remains: How will these findings shape our understanding of Burlington's history? Will they reveal untold stories of the city's past? The answers await further analysis, leaving us curious about the secrets buried beneath the lake.
