Lancaster Main Street Program’s

Lancaster Main Street Program’s. Israel’s Riverwalk. , Top Left Panel: , These waters abounded in fish, as did the forests in game , As the English were pushing their settlements up the valleys of the Connecticut and the Merrimack, trappers penetrated the wilderness far above the settlements. They often met Indians on these hunting excursions and evidently were on friendly terms with them. John and Israel Glines came here very early, prior to 1750, several years before any expedition of discovery was sent to explore the exploring, hunting, trapping and wilds of “Upper Cohos" (History of Coos County). They were attracted to this area for fishing. The twc tributaries of the Connecticut River where they found this bounty came to be known as Israel's River and John's River., There were actually 2 or 3 Israel Glineses who used the shores of Israel's River as a base camp for their numerous expeditions to this flat and fertile valley. For many years, the earliest settlers forded Israel's River in summer and crossed it on ice in the winter. The first bridge was located at the fording place and was built by Emmons Stockwell, who is said to have paid five gallons of brandy for the privilege of being the first to cross it. , Top Photo Caption: First iron bridge over Israel's River.It was çarried away in 1895 when a log boom broke. , Bottom Photo Caption: Israel's River bridge on Main Street., Bottom Left Panel: , Life on the land is shaped by annual flooding which sends ice floes raking across the open spaces and banging into the trees leaving visible wounds and shaping some of the tree trunks. Flooding scours away soil and deposits new layers that are mostly sand. On most of the island this layer is about 0.5 inches deep. The water brings nutrients, as well as seeds, uprooted plants and "cuttings", that give trees and plants a chance to grow on the island. , Recent water quality monitoring shows these waters to be in excellent condition for all types of recreation but not for drinking. , Top Photo: The Israel's River flood of 1886. During this flood Wilson's Shop was destroyed and carried away. Photos courtesy of Lancaster Historical Society. Left Photo: The Israel's River flood of 1886. Main Street covered bridge on the left., Right Panel: , The shape of this island and its position are an effect of the water currents. Upriver, eroded sediments accumulate. Downriver, sediment is washed away, resulting in rougher terrain. Thus, the island migrates upriver and forms the shape of an upside-down teardrop.