Middlebury in Addison County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Ancient Paths

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2005

1. Ancient Paths Marker

Inscription.
Vermont is crossed by a complete system of ancient major routes from the Lake Champlain Valley to the Connecticut River Valley leading eventually to the sea. Paths were first made by migrating herds of animals searching for salt, and later by Native Americans as they hunted, traded, and made contact with neighboring tribes. These paths were widened by the early Europeans as they migrated and settled. The trail along the Otter Creek, with its popular portage, was known as "The Indian Road". Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River were major north-south paths. Other streams served as east-west connections.

Placed in memory of Mrs. Charles (Ruth) McCarty, State Regent
Erected by the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists.
Project of the 2000-2003 Administration
Mary Ann Groome Helper, National President

Erected by National Society Daughters of the American Colonists.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Colonists series list.

Location. 44° 0.873′

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N, 73° 10.138′ W. Marker is in Middlebury, Vermont, in Addison County. It can be reached from Main Street (State Highway 30) 0.1 miles south of Seymour Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located along the walking path in Riverfront Park, overlooking Otter Creek and Middlebury Falls. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230 Maple St, Middlebury VT 05753, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Champlain Valley

and in Greater Burlington.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Into the Earth (a few steps from this marker); Spanning the Falls (a few steps from this marker); Middlebury Marble Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Otter Creek Industrial Revolution (within shouting distance of this marker); Lazarus Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Middlebury Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); The Duclos Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Proud Craftsmen from Many Lands (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middlebury.

Otter Creek and Riverfront Park<br>(<i>looking north from Otter Creek Bridge</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2005

2. Otter Creek and Riverfront Park
(looking north from Otter Creek Bridge)

(Marker is obscured by trees in the background)

Middlebury Falls (<i>looking south from near marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2005

3. Middlebury Falls (looking south from near marker)

Photographed by R.J. O’Hara, June 3, 2004

4. Ancient Paths Marker

The Middlebury Falls are out of view behind the bushes.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,154 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on March 5, 2026, by R.J. O’Hara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on March 5, 2026, by R.J. O’Hara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.