The B&L Railroad used to run though the great towns of Jericho and Underhill. It transported flour from the Old Red Mill and transported people to Burlington within a half hour. It is a significant part of this town's history. But, where is it???? It was all covered up or taken away because it cost too much to maintain, and people stopped using it when automobiles started to run on the streets of Jericho. This cache is here to show you where this railroad was and what it did. The drive is about 3 miles to the Underhill Flats area.
(The Burlington and Lamoille RR in Underhill Flats in service from 1877 to June 1937 - photo from the Underhill-Jericho calendar celebrating Vermont's bicentennial)
To build the railroad, towns all along the way aided financially in its construction by bonding. Approximately ten miles of track were laid over a north-south course through the towns of Underhill and Jericho. Since this track was laid close to the river, derailments often happened. The river rose, the temperature dropped, and the engineer found himself facing a sea of ice at times. For 60 years, Jericho and Underhill people enjoyed very good railroad service. They could climb onto the cars at one of the three stations serving this town and travel west to Burlington, northwest Swanton or due North to Cambridge to connect with trains for Portland, Maine. The trains also carried the mail and farm produce: milk, butter, maple sugar and syrup in barrels.
Now, where were the tracks for this railroad???
Final Stage: N 44° 3A.BCD W 72° 5E.EFG
("E" is used twice) Use the above to find the Final Stage and sign the log.
First Stage: N 44° 30.007 W 72° 59.888
Here you will find the trestle bridge site. The stone abutments of the old bridge is all that is left. You will have to pull over for a quick look, but don’t crash your car in the process! The bridge shows where the railroad crossed Lee River and came to a stop at the nearby train station. You can see how the nearby hill is flat because the tracks were once there. Find the number of stone abutments left (those that held the bridge up in the middle), and divide by two. Use this number as part A.
Second Stage: N 44° 30.147 W 72° 59.750
At this location you will see a road leading up to a development. The Jericho railroad station once stood in this development. The railroad supplied goods to Jericho and transported flour made at Old Red Mill. The road lies right on top of the railroad tracks. The train station is now gone. The road is called Sunny ____ Drive. Fill in the blank, count how many letters it holds, and use this as part C.
Third Stage: N 44° 30.398 W 72° 59.426
At this place, the railroad came up to Route 15 and traveled its relative path on the left hand side of the road. The school at this place was built right were the railroad tracks used to be. The school is called _____ Elementary School. Find the blank, and how many letters it holds, and add this as part F.
Fourth Stage: N 44° 30.582 W 72° 59.153
As you're driving along Route 15, think about the trains that used to run on the tracks that used to be just to your left hand side. At Cilley Hill Road look for the speed limit sign near the former railroad crossing, add the numbers together, and use this as part B.
Fifth Stage: N 44° 31.123 W 72° 56.878
Here, you will see a very straight driveway right off of Route 15 lined by many tall trees. The railroad used to run right though here and was covered when the driveway was put in. The tracks went straight from here the old lumber yard. Look at the sign near the driveway, and look at what is written under the road sign warning of the curve and side road. Take the number of letters in this sign, subtract 7, and use this as part D.
Sixth Stage: N 44° 31.231 W 72° 56.600
Here, you will find the location of an old lumber yard part of which is now a Park & Ride. Lumber from Underhill Mills was transported from these yards to Burlington’s waterfront where it was dressed. In one peak year in the early 1880s, nearly five million board feet of lumber was shipped from this station. Find the sign the visible at this stage. If it has a picture of one person, use the number 6 as part G. If there is a picture of two people walking, use the number 2.
Seventh Stage: N 44° 31.441 W 72° 56.600
The final is not too far away! Here is the former B&L Railroad Station for Underhill Flats built in 1877. It is now a private dwelling painted white and has three windows and a funny shaped roof. When the railroad was taken away, it became this small house. This house is located on a small street. Count the number of letters in the street name (just the name part) and add one. Use this number as part E.
Off to the final you go! At the final, you will see a road that follows the same path as the railroad. From there, it followed Route 15 up north. Hope you enjoyed the history lesson!
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