Isle La Motte
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| Isle La Motte | |
|---|---|
| Name | Isle La Motte |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Vermont |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Grand Isle County |
| Leader title | Town Clerk |
| Leader name | Lisa J. Downing |
| Area total km2 | 28.0 |
| Area land km2 | 11.8 |
| Area water km2 | 16.2 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 488 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 44, 52, 50, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 05463 |
| Area code | 802 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 50-35875 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1462121 |
| Website | www.islelamottevt.org |
Isle La Motte is a town in Grand Isle County, Vermont, situated on an island of the same name in the northern reaches of Lake Champlain. It is the site of the first European settlement in the state, established by the French in 1666 as part of New France. The island is renowned for its unique geological formations, including the ancient Chazy Fossil Reef, and maintains a quiet, rural character centered on agriculture, tourism, and its rich historical legacy.
Geography
Isle La Motte is located in Lake Champlain, approximately seven miles from the international border with the Province of Quebec. The island is connected to the mainland by the U.S. Route 2 causeway, which links it to Alburgh to the north. The terrain is generally low-lying, with a mix of agricultural land, wooded areas, and rocky shoreline. The town's geography is dominated by its lacustrine setting, offering expansive views across the water towards the Adirondack Mountains in New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont.
History
The island's recorded history began in 1666 when French soldier and explorer Captain Pierre de La Motte established Fort Sainte Anne under the orders of Alexander de Prouville de Tracy. This fortified mission, intended to defend New France from the Iroquois Confederacy, was the first European settlement in what is now Vermont. The site was abandoned by 1670. During the colonial conflicts of the 18th century, the island saw activity during the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. In the 19th century, the island became known for its black marble quarries, which supplied stone for notable buildings like the National Gallery of Art and the U.S. Capitol.
Geology
The bedrock of Isle La Motte is part of the Chazy Formation, a Middle Ordovician limestone reef that is among the oldest biologically diverse fossil reefs in the world. This Chazy Fossil Reef provides a critical record of early Paleozoic marine life, including extensive fossils of stromatoporoids, crinoids, cephalopods, and the ancient coral *Grewingkia*. The famous Fisk Quarry and the adjacent Goodsell Ridge Preserve, managed by the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust, are internationally significant sites for geological study and contain the prized "Isle La Motte marble."
Landmarks and attractions
Key historical and natural landmarks define the island. The Shrine of Sainte Anne, established in 1893 by the Society of Saint Edmund, marks the approximate site of the original Fort Sainte Anne and is a destination for pilgrimage. The Saint Anne's Shrine includes a chapel, grotto, and peaceful grounds. The Isle La Motte Historical Society operates a small museum. The natural attractions are centered on the fossil reef sites at Goodsell Ridge Preserve and Fisk Quarry Preserve, which feature interpretive trails. The Isle La Motte Methodist Church, built in 1860, is a noted vernacular Greek Revival structure.
Transportation
Primary vehicular access is via U.S. Route 2, which crosses the Alburgh sandbar and causeway. There are no bridges or ferry services directly to the island. The road network within the town is rural, consisting mainly of town highways such as Quarry Road and Main Street. The nearest significant airport is Burlington International Airport in Burlington. Historically, the island was served by steamboats on Lake Champlain, such as those operated by the Champlain Transportation Company.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 488, representing a slight decrease from previous decades. The population density is low, consistent with its agricultural character. The racial makeup is predominantly White. Housing is primarily single-family homes, with a significant number of seasonal or recreational properties. The economy has traditionally been based on farming, particularly dairy, though in recent decades it has shifted toward services, small-scale tourism, and retirement living. The town is governed by a traditional New England town meeting system.
Category:Towns in Vermont Category:Populated places in Grand Isle County, Vermont Category:Islands of Lake Champlain