Addison County, Vermont: History
Iroquois settled in the county before Europeans arrived in 1609. French settlers in Crown Point, New York, extended their settlements across Lake Champlain. A few individuals or families came up the lake from Canada and established themselves at Chimney Point in 1730. In 1731, Fort Frederic was erected at Cross Point. In 1759, General Amherst occupied Cross Point and British settlers came in.
Addison County was established by act of the Legislature October 18, 1785, during the period of Vermont Republic. In 1791, Vermont joined the federal union after the original thirteen colonies. The major product of the county was wheat. In the 1820s, farmers began to raise sheep. The Champlain Canal was opened in 1823, making it possible for ships to navigate from the Hudson River. In 1840, the county produced more wool than any other county in the United States.
When Vermont was admitted into the Union in 1791, there were 9,267 people living in Addison County. By 1830, the population had grown to 26,503 people.
In 2008, the federal government declared the county a disaster area after severe storms and flooding June 14–17.