Malletts Bay Live Cam

History of Malletts Bay in Colchester

Malletts Bay, nestled within the town of Colchester, Vermont, carries a rich and multifaceted history that reflects the region's broader narrative. The area surrounding Malletts Bay has been inhabited for thousands of years, with the Abenaki people being its earliest known residents. For the Abenaki, Lake Champlain and its surrounding bays, including Malletts Bay, served as essential sources of food, transportation, and cultural significance. They fished, hunted, and traveled extensively across these waters, leaving a lasting imprint on the region.

In the 17th century, European exploration of the Lake Champlain Basin brought French settlers and fur traders to the area. Samuel de Champlain's 1609 expedition marked the beginning of recorded European contact. The lake, named after Champlain, became a critical artery for trade and transportation, and Malletts Bay served as a natural harbor along this route. By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, British and American forces contested control over the region, particularly during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.