The Burlington Waterfront was once one of the largest lumber ports in the country. Most of its area was taken up for storing and transportation of lumber. The waterfront at this time was characterized by being very industrialized and commercial. In the 20th century, the lumber industry started to wind down and the waterfront became more of a port for trading other goods such as petroleum. Railroads started to be built around this time. These trade centers started to shut down and the waterfront was basically turned into a wasteland by the late 20th century. The city then had to take charge to clean up this area in the late 1900s. The state waterfront park was developed in 2000, and the waterfront we know today stemmed from that area.