Essex County 29 L 



Fish are abundant in many streams and lakes, and the whole 

 region is frequented by sportsmen. Millions of trout are added 

 to the streams annually from the state hatcheries at Saranac Inn. 

 Lakes Champlain and George lie partly within the county. 



The lakes, which lie in chasms, are generally long and narrow, 

 presenting a great variety of wild and picturesque scenery. These 

 form great attractions for tourists, as do also Indian and Ava- 

 lanche passes, Wilmington and Cascade notches and Ausable 

 Chasm. Deposits of valuable minerals are found, and iron mines 

 are extensively worked. 



Although Essex is by far the most mountainous county in the 

 state, still among its mountains in certain sections are quite 

 extensive valleys, their surfaces at a high elevation, level or gently 

 undulating, are well adapted to cultivation. Along some of the 

 streams and along Lake Champlain are alluvial flats of great fer- 

 tility. Keene valley and the valleys of Jay, North Elba, and the 

 Boquet deserve this mention. 



DESCRIPTION BY TOWNSHIPS 



Chesterfield : The surface generally is broken and mountain- 

 ous. The southeastern part is hilly and in the northeast is a 

 rolling tableland with light, sandy, unproductive soil. Less than 

 half the town is susceptible of cultivation, but it is richly en- 

 dowed in water power. The north boundary is formed by the 

 Ausable River, a remarkable stream as regards its fall and 

 scenery. The town is rich also in minerals, among which are 

 iron, graphite, sandstone, and a peculiar pale brown marble. 



Products: Potatoes, corn, oats, barley, beans, buckwheat, 



rye, wheat, and apples. 

 Average values of farm land range from $5 to $75 an acre. 



Crown Point : A strip of nearly level land about four miles 

 wide extends along the lake shore. The central part of the town 

 is broken, the hills gradually rising into the Kayaderosseras 

 Mountains in the west. The principal stream is Putnam Creek, 

 which rises in mountain ponds. In its course are numerous falls, 

 furnishing abundant water power. The soil on the lake shore is 

 a deep, rich, clayey loam, with limestone subsoil. In the interior 

 it is of a light character. The town possesses numerous iron ore 



