The Vermont region was explored and
claimed for France by Samuel de Champlain in 1609,
and the first French settlement was established at
Fort Ste. Anne in 1666. The first English settlers
moved into the area in 1724 and built Fort Dummer on
the site of present-day Brattleboro. England gained
control of the area in 1763 after the French and
Indian Wars.
First organized to drive settlers from New York out
of Vermont, the Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan
Allen, won fame by capturing Fort Ticonderoga from
the British on May 10, 1775, in the early days of
the Revolutionary War. In 1777 Vermont adopted its
first constitution, abolishing slavery and providing
for universal male suffrage without property
qualifications.
Vermont leads the nation in the production of
monument granite, marble, and maple syrup. It is
also a leader in the production of talc. Vermont's
rugged, rocky terrain discourages extensive
agricultural farming, but is well suited to raising
fruit trees and to dairy farming.
Principal industrial products include electrical
equipment, fabricated metal products, printing and
publishing, and paper and allied products.
Tourism is a major industry in Vermont. Vermont's
many famous ski areas include Stowe, Killington, Mt.
Snow, Okemo, Jay Peak, and Sugarbush. Hunting and
fishing also attract many visitors to Vermont each
year. Among the many points of interest are the
Green Mountain National Forest, Bennington Battle
Monument, the Calvin Coolidge Homestead at Plymouth,
and the Marble Exhibit in Proctor. |
