burlingtonrec history

The earliest farmers on the land were the Phillip and Esther Manwell, who bought the land from Thaddeus Fletcher, a Burlington philanthropist, in 1868.

Though some clearing was done in 1902 to open up 360-degree views at the park’s northern outcrop, the “Pinnacle,” the forest has been mostly undisturbed since.

Though the Tower was built in 1905, humans have been attracted to its summits for millennia.

Burlington residents voted in 1907 to appropriate $10,000 to purchase the bluff’s remaining acreage from Van Patten: the first time in which the Burlington community collectively invested in land for a city park .

1 (Established 1914), Beverly Road Fire Company No.

In 1918 Esther’s adoptive nephew, Phillip, died during the sinking of the S. S. Tuscania by a German U-boat in the Atlantic leaving the farm with no living heirs.

Below – Pre-1920 vintage postcards of Ethan Allen Park (click images to enlarge): Courtesy of Special Collections, UVM Libraries.

In 1921 Willard Arms bought the land and operated a successful dairy farm on the land for the next 40 years.

2 (Established 1925), and Relief Fire Company No.

By the 1950’s, gasoline, JP-4 jet fuel, and heating oil were being stored on the waterfront, with barges, trains and trucks frequenting the facilities.

3 (Established 1957). Approximately 85 individuals serve the community as volunteer firefighters.

Burlington Township was established in 1677 and celebrated its 300th anniversary in 1977.

Since the 1980’s, over 60 acres of waterfront land has been acquired by the City, all bulk petroleum tanks removed, buildings and foundations demolished, and a 40-acre “Urban Reserve” created for “future generations” to decide on its use.

In 1983, the tower was repaired, and Ethan Allen Park was reopened .

1 of the Township of Burlington was established on May 31, 1990 for the purpose of providing the prevention and extinguishment of fires within Burlington Township.