Etymology

As early as 750 CE, the Abenaki tribe lived along the shores of a cascading waterfall in a fertile river valley they called Winoskitegw, meaning “land of the wild onion".^[5][6] Winooski's southern border is formed by the Winooski River, which is alternatively known as the Onion River.^[5]

Pre-Columbian

About 5000 years ago, a single family of paleolithic Native Americans came to what is now the city. The prehistoric campground for this transient group is one of Vermont's significant archaeological sites. Other native people came to Winooski in the years that followed.^[7]

Colonial

Situated on a main road, Winooski most likely started as a rest stop for travelers. With a set of waterfalls to assist the growth of industry, however, it soon also became a center for wool processing.^[7]

In the early 1770s, Ira Allen constructed a blockhouse on the Winooski (then "Onion") River, which served both as a fort and as general store and office for the land-speculating Onion River Company. Fort Frederick was never used for defense, but its presence increased the value of Onion River property and promoted settlement.^[7]

Post-colonial

After the Revolutionary War, Ira Allen built a dam across the river with a sawmill at each end.^[7]

In the late 1830s, the Burlington Mill Company used the river's power for the manufacture of yarns and cloth.^[8]

In 1846, James and Lucinda Stone from Winooski settled in Sheboygan County in the Wisconsin Territory and named their new settlement Winooski, Wisconsin.

Modern times

Textile mill in Winooski, 1937

The American Woolen Company purchased the failing Burlington Mills in 1901, restoring a measure of economic growth to the area.^[9] This success eventually led Winooski to incorporate as a city in 1922, breaking away from the town of Colchester.

The mills closed in 1954, resulting in two decades of economic problems for the city.^[7] In the 1980s, two old mills were converted into commercial, office, and apartment space, helping to revitalize the area.^[7]

In 1979, the city researched the construction of a dome over the entire city of Winooski, to reduce heating costs during the winter. The proposed dome would have been 200 feet (61 m) at the center, and internal combustion engines would have been banned.^[10] Though the dome was never built, in 2009 the city's planner defended the concept, insisting, "Economically, it's a slam dunk," and adding, "You could have had year-round fly-fishing."^[11]

In 2008, the city dismissed their city manager of 11 months, while he was still an at-will employee. His contract had been scheduled for three years.^[12]

Personal income

The median income for a household in the city was $30,592, and for a family was $38,551. Males had a median income of $30,257 versus $21,168 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,208. About 10.2% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.8% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

Methodist Episcopal Church of Winooski

St. Francis Xavier Church on St. Peter Street