Human History of Rock Point
The human history of Rock Point most likely began with Native American activities, specifically the Abenaki tribe. In the mid 1800s, the land was cleared by loggers, leaving a view of Lake Champlain and the mountain range behind it. Impressed by the stunning landscape, Bishop John Henry Hopkins purchased the 100 acres and built a home, destroying the ecosystem that had been existing there. As Hopkins family grew they began to manage the estate and all of its natural resources, modeling it into the landscape that we see today. After living on the property for over 50 years, the Hopkins family transformed Rock Point to an Episcopal educational center. By 1860 an Episcopal Boy’s School was opened on the property, eventually transforming into Military School during the Civil War. After financially hard times, the school was forced to close in 1899, and by 1929 the building was used as a center for church activities. On Easter Eve of 1979, the building was tragically burned down in a fire. In 1980 the Bishop Booth Conference Center was built on the property, leaving us with what we see today at the Rock Point Center.
Citations
Berrizbeitia, I. (n.d.). Focal Places in Burlington. Retrieved December 05, 2020, from https://www.uvm.edu/place/burlingtongeographic/focalplaces/rp-landuse.php