Richard H. Allen Livres

After it was chartered in 1763, Williston attracted settlers from southern New England and grew because of the rich farmland and abundant forests. Vermont's first governor, Thomas Chittenden, settled here, and other families soon followed. The arrival of the railroad in 1849 brought new industries and prosperity. The Civil War and westward migration drew men and families away and impacted the town's growth. During the first half of the 20th century, Williston was a small, rural town with an agricultural base. When the interstate highway opened and IBM established a major facility in nearby Essex, increased development brought about the need for modern municipal services. Today, Williston, with a well-preserved historic village, is a thriving commercial and residential town in the middle of Vermont's most populous county.

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.