EXPLORE: 13 places called Bolton around the world

In America, there are several Boltons in New England alone, with many more dotted about from sea to shining sea.

One was named after the original by emigrants from Lancashire, while others find their origins in the names of early settlers.

Here we present a list of other Boltons around the world. Most are concentrated in the USA, but a search for more finds settlements and places as far away as Australia and Pakistan.

Bolton, MA

WINTER: Snow on the ground at the library in the town of Bolton, Massachusetts

With a population of around 5,000 people, the Massachusetts town of Bolton has a population just 4 per cent, or 1/25 the size of Europe’s largest town.

It was garrisoned after a bloody early history including a massacre and various uprisings by the Native American population.

Curiously, Bolton MA also has a town called Lancaster lying due north west.

Bolton, NY

SHORE: The waterfront of Lake George at Bolton Landing in New York

The last census of Bolton in New York state came in at just 2,117 – around half of Blackrod.

Bolton NY includes the hamlet of Bolton Landing, which lies on the shores of Lake George in the scenic Adirondack Mountains.

British colonial forces renamed the lake in honour of King George II during the French and Indian war. It was previously known as ‘Andia-ta-roc-te’ and also referred to as ‘Horican’ in James Fenimore Cooper’s historical novel, Last of the Mohicans.

Bolton, CT

QUAINT: The town hall of of Bolton, Connecticut. Picture courtesy Google

Many of the early settlers of Bolton, Connecticut, came from Bolton, England – hence the town’s name.

Originally part of the hunting ground of the Podunk Indians, it’s speculated that the first president of the United States, George Washington, stayed at a home in Bolton while acting as commander and chief of the Continental Army.

The town was also home to noted artist, Ralph Earl, who painted a well-known panorama of Niagara Falls.

Given the town’s early settlers, it might not surprise you to learn that Bolton, CT lies only six miles from the larger Manchester, CT.

In 2014, Horwich mayor, Richard Silvester, travelled to Bolton CT to establish links with the town.

Councillor Silvester said: "Most of the other places called Bolton are named after people, but Bolton Connecticut is named after our town. There is an etching of our town hall within their town hall. Quite a number of the people in the town actually follow Bolton Wanderers.

"There was one guy attending a local match with a Bolton Wanderers scarf on, and there are a few people in the town who have relatives who still live here. I met a few at the church who have relatives in Bromley Cross."

Cllr Silvester has visited various other Boltons across the world and also helped forge links between Bolton High School in Connecticut and Rivington and Blackrod High School.

Councillor Carole Swarbrick, the Mayor of Bolton added: “We already have well established links with our twin towns of Le Mans in France and Paderborn in Germany. However, it is always interesting to forge links with towns that share our name around the world and we’d like to extend a warm Boltonian hello to all of the Boltons around the world.”

Bolton, VT

SKI: Lifts head down the Green Mountains at the Bolton Valley ski resort in Vermont

Another of New England’s Boltons, Vermont’s town has seen a mini population boom in recent years, increasing 971 in ten years to 1,182 as of 2010.

Located in the foothills of the Green Mountains, Bolton is well known for the Bolton Valley ski resort, founded in 1966 and which produced extreme skiing pioneer, Rob DesLauriers.

The town’s early history saw many visits from the Green Mountain Boys – a militia led by Ethan Allen who resisted New York’s attempts to control the New Hampshire Grants, which later became known as Vermont.

Bolton, Ontario

Originally called Bolton Mills, this Canadian town was founded around 1822 when a James Bolton helped build a flour mill. It's now home to 26,000 inhabitants.

The 1996 hurricane thriller, Twister, was partially shot there, as well as the 2005 action movie, Four Brothers, starring Mark Wahlberg.

Bolton, Australia

We’d like to be able to tell you about Bolton in Victoria, Australia, but there really isn’t a great deal to tell.

The locality lies along the C251 Robinvale-Sea Lake Road, around a four-and-a-half hour drive north from state capital, Melbourne.

There was a post office there, but it closed in 1975.

It’s among many ‘Boltons’ with little doing compared to our fair town.

Others around the world include the Bolton Township in Kansas, which contains no incorporated settlements across its 53 square miles – though does boast two cemeteries.

Elsewhere, there’s Bolton Illinois, south west of Freeport and Bolton Iowa, around 64 miles from state capital Des Moines.

Then there’s the community of Bolton in Michigan, along the abandoned Detroit and Mackinac Railway.

And let's not forget Bolton Mississippi, the home of noted early blues musician Bo Carter, whose bawdy numbers included Let Me Roll Your Melon, Banana in Your Fruit Basket and Please Warm My Weiner.

Meanwhile, there’s a Bolton, North Carolina - a once bustling lumber town whose population has declined from 1,800 to around 700.

‘Bolton’ also finds its way into the title of an American airfield in Ohio as well as a market in Karachi, Pakistan.

Do you know of any Boltons we've not mentioned, or maybe you've visited one of our namesakes abroad? Get in touch via webdesk@thebotonnews.co.uk