Vestal (Images of America)

The town of Vestal has evolved over generations, from the quiet days of Native Americans fishing along the Susquehanna River to the bustling, dynamic community that it is today. Established in 1823 from the town of Union, Vestal began as a lumbering and

farming town whose population later flourished with the introduction of mills, factories, and tanneries. In 1901, a train wreck caused five tons of dynamite to explode near the center of town, and in 1927, a

fire destroyed most of the business district. Still the town persevered and rebuilt, and by the mid-20th century, Vestal grew again, becoming home to the employees of industrial powerhouses across the river. After years of progress, the town of Vestal continues to redefine itself and shape the course of its own history.