Burlington, Vermont was once divided by a serpentine ravine that ran through the city, separating the downtown area from the Hill Section. The ravine, believed to be thousands of years old and over a mile long, had a stream running through it and was later used as a train route by the Vermont Central Railroad in the 1850s. After the track was relocated, the ravine became an open sewer and garbage dump. In the 1870s, a sewer was built in the ravine and the area was filled in. Signs of the ravine can still be seen in certain areas of the city, such as King Street.
The unusual geologic feature has attracted interest and fascination from many people, with local historians delving into its secrets. Recent efforts by the Department of Public Works to reroute the flow of the ravine sewer have sparked further interest in exploring its history. In a recent episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” Eva Sollberger and a group of enthusiasts toured the area, examining old maps and exploring sections of the uncovered sewer. The project aims to improve infrastructure and allow for aboveground improvements in the coming years.
The episode highlighted the historical significance of the ravine, with discussions on its impact on Burlington’s early history and the discoveries made during the ongoing project. The exploration of the ravine’s remnants sheds light on a forgotten part of the city’s past and the efforts to preserve its history.
Source: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/stuck-in-vermont-digging-into-the-ravine-that-divided-burlington-in-the-1800s-40471260
