Milton: Rail Road Drawbridge

In Milton's founding days, the Blackwater River served as the main transportation artery for its timber, lumber, brick, naval stores and ship building industries. Milton's roots go back to the early 1800's when people began settling along the banks of the Blackwater River. In its earliest days, the settlement may have been referred to simply as "Blackwater." The origin of the name Milton is uncertain, but was likely a derivation of "milltown," demonstrating the importance of the lumber industry in the area. Legend has it that the area was also referred to by one of its most irritating features: the brambles and briars that once grew along the banks of the river. Hence, in its early days Milton was referred to as "Scratch Ankle."