Abercorn - beautiful tranquil town

Abercorn - from wild frontier to tranquillity

In 1792 the first dwelling was built in Shepoard's Mills, later renamed Abercorn. The population slowly increased to approximately 300 and this is the same population the village has today. Between 1870 and 1873 new rail lines linking Quebec and Vermont were constructed and Abercorn became the frontier depot. Many residents still chuckle about the "peanut train" which shuttled people from Abercorn to Sutton for 25 cents. The railroad brought economic change but not until the beginning of the Prohibition area did Abercorn markedly benefit from it. After the 18th amendment came into effect, our southern neighbors realized that there was booze to be drunk in this border village, a short train ride from Vermont. Within a few years five hotels were built and the grand ballrooms, bars and luxurious rooms teemed with revellers. It is rumored that a goodly number of ladies of less than sterling morals were a large part of the attraction for visiting gentlemen.
In 1934 the 21st amendment ended Prohibition and the music ended in Abercorn, The hotels were barely able to stay in business, the fun people had left and over a perios of some years, four hotels miraculously burnt to the ground. The last one was demolished by order of the Federal Government.
Eventually, the stores closed and what was left was a tinsmith, a grist mill, the sawmill which still operates, an overall manufacturer and an angora wool manufacturer. The last small country store closed ten years ago because people can drive to Sutton in less than ten minutes and there was no longer any economic reason to keep the little store open.
So what is left? The two beautiful churches, St. Simons and All Saints, the fabulous Abercorn bakery, the sawmill, a stained glass artist, various sculptors, a huge egg farm, a bicycle shop which is doing well, the woman's institute's P.R.R.P (Preserve and Recycle) thrift shop and some of the most spectacular bicycle trails in the area.
Visitors can also see many stately homes, some of which are remnants of the Loyalist time, they can fish at the "dam", a nice waterfall in the center of the village or enjoy invigorating hikes.

Hotel accomodations are available in Sutton, just 7 kilometers from Abercorn and Sutton has more restaurants per capita than many other tourist designations. But the best thing is the tranquillity of the village and its surroundings. There are no gift shops or gas stations, bars and pizza parlors, just lovingly maintained old houses and churches and impeccably groomed gardens and flower beds.