On this date in 1910, the Green Mountain Club was established for the distinct purpose of building The Long Trail, which became the first long distance footpath in America.
The club was founded by James P. Taylor and 22 other hiking enthusiasts and community leaders to construct a footpath that would follow the main ridge of the Green Mountains. Moreover, like many clubs in Europe, the trail was built to help promote tourism in Vermont during the summer months. The second article in the club constitution states that: “The object of the Club shall be to make the Vermont Mountains play a larger part in the life of the people.” Before the trail was even completed, the state was already reaping rewards from its existence. The June 21, 1922, edition of the
Morrisville News and Citizen acknowledged that: “The value of the free publicity that the Long Trail brings to Vermont, cannot be told. Leading magazines and great city newspapers have told of the glories of sun rises and sun sets seen from these mountain tops.”
The Long Trail now travels 272 miles across the length of Vermont, from Massachusetts to Canada. Volunteers began construction in 1912, and completed the last section on the northern terminus in 1930. The Long Trail would become the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail.
You can read more about early trail development and the first hiking clubs in
Ramble On: A History of Hiking.
************************************************************************************
Check out our online trail guides:
- My new, improved and expanded edition on the history of hiking is now available on Amazon
No comments:
Post a Comment