St. Albans City, Vermont is a small city located in the northwest corner of the state. It is the final stop of the railroad route Vermonter, which connects St. Albans to Washington D.C. and other cities along the East Coast.
One of the great things about St. Albans is its walkability. The downtown area is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and other amenities within easy reach. The St. Albans Historical Society offers guided tours of the town's historic sites and landmarks, including the St. Albans Railroad Museum.
The town of St. Albans was originally settled in the late 18th century by British colonists and was named after the city of St. Albans in Hertfordshire, England. It was later incorporated as a town in 1763. The town's name honors St. Alban, the first British Christian martyr.
During the American Civil War, St. Albans was the site of a raid by Confederate soldiers in October 1864. The raid was led by Bennett H. Young, a Confederate guerrilla leader, and was carried out by a group of approximately 20 Confederate soldiers who had traveled to Vermont from Canada. The raiders entered St. Albans at around noon on October 19 and began robbing banks and looting stores. They also set fire to several buildings, including the St. Albans Hotel. The raiders were eventually chased out of town by a group of local militia and fled back to Canada. No one was killed in the raid, but the raiders did manage to steal around $200,000, which was a significant sum at the time. The St. Albans Raid was one of the few instances of Confederate soldiers carrying out a military operation in the Northern states during the Civil War.
Outdoor walkable recreation is abundant near the city core of St. Albans considering its geography. The Missisquoi Valley Rail-Trail starts in the city and goes for 26.3 miles. The scenic bike trail follows the original rail bed built during the 19th century. Some of the scenery along the trail includes mountains, cornfields, streams, and forests all the way to the Canadian border.
Lake Champlain, which is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities sits only a few miles from the city. Lake Champlain is home to a variety of fish species, including salmon, which are raised in the lake.
In addition to its proximity to Lake Champlain, St. Albans is home to the St. Albans City Forest, a town forest with a network of trails for hiking and mountain biking. The forest is located near the center of town and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The forest is relatively small, but it offers a peaceful and scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Overall, St. Albans is a charming and walkable city with a rich history and a variety of attractions and amenities. It is a great place to visit or call home.