COLCHESTER

colchester, a township of chittenden county, vermont, u.s.a., on lake champlain, immediately n.e. of burlington, from which it is separated by the winooski river. pop. (1900) 5352; (1910) 6450. it is served by the central vermont railway. the surface is generally gently rolling, and in places along the banks of the winooski or onion river, the shore of the lake, and in the valleys, it is very picturesque. at mallett's bay, an arm of lake champlain, 2 m. long and 11⁄2 m. wide, several large private schools hold summer sessions. the soil is varied, much of it being good meadow land or well adapted to the growing of grain and fruit. the township has two villages: colchester centre, a small, quiet settlement, and winooski (pop. in 1900, 3783) on the winooski river. this stream furnishes good water power, and the village has manufactories of cotton and woollen goods, lumber, woodenware, gold and silver plated ware, carriages, wagons and screens. within the township there is a united states military reservation, fort ethan allen. the village was founded in 1772 by ira allen and for many years it was known as "allen's settlement"; but later it was called winooski falls, and in 1866 it was incorporated as the village of winooski.