The lake was named after the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who encountered it in July 1609. While the ports of Burlington, Vermont, Port Henry, New York, and Plattsburgh, New York, today are primarily used by small craft, ferries and lake cruise ships, they were of substantial commercial and military importance in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The lake was named after the French explorer Samuel de Champlain who encountered it in July 1609 While the ports of Burlington Vermont Port Henry New York and Plattsburgh New York today are primarily used by small craft ferries and lake cruise ships they were of substantial commercial and military importance in the 18th and 19th centuries