North Williston: Down Depot Hill

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Today there is a tranquil section of Williston, Vermont known as North Williston. But it wasn't always that way; at one time it was a thriving village in its own right. North Williston gained importance coinciding with the predominance of the railroad, from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The trains brought passengers, freight, and mail to Williston. Numerous industries sprang up close to the tracks. With the decline of the importance of the railroad, businesses in North Williston closed. North Williston became the industrial and commercial section of Williston and attracted such businessmen as Smith Wright and John Whitcomb, who used the area as a base to acquire significant wealth and influence. Other North Williston industries included a rake factory, a cheese factory, the Fay and Whitcomb lumber and grain business, a blacksmith shop, and a creamery.