Our series examining an Image of the Week from the photographic files, by Kevin Warstadt, Digital Program Specialist.

Dartmouth alums preparing to board in White River Junction ca. 1900

This image of the week comes from a folder titled “White River Junction, Vermont.” The image features a number of Dartmouth alums boarding a train in White River Junction.

White River Junction began as a stop for boat traffic used by natives and settlers. The railroad came to White River in 1848 when the “Winooski” traveled to Bethel, Vermont. The railroad in White River continued to expand and at one point featured 14 tracks, making it the largest railroad center north of Boston. The railroads brought many diverse businesses to White River including bread, produce, paper, and chocolates.

Info comes primarily from the Hartford, VT Document Center. Additional information from the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce, hartford-vt.org, and hartfordhistory.org.

See more images of White River Junction in the Dartmouth Library photographic files.