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History of Ellsworth, Maine, USA

Journey back in time to Ellsworth, Maine, USA

Visit Ellsworth, Maine, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.

     

• In 1773 the first schooner was built at Ellsworth. This was the Susan and Abigail, named after daughters of the two most prominent citizens, Benjamin Milliken and Benjamin Joy.
  
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• (Ellsworth) In 1798 the inhabitants petitioned to be incorporated under the name Sumner.
  That name having been already taken by a settlement in present-day Oxford County, Maine, the town was incorporated by the Commonwealth of...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• In 1838, Ellsworth became the county seat of Hancock County, replacing Castine.
  
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• 1854 - Ellsworth
  Ellsworth, an important commercial town, capital of Hancock co., Maine, is situated on both sides of the navigable river Union, which is here crossed ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1859
  ELLSWORTH, a township in the state of Maine, U.S., 89 ENE of Augusta, on Union river. Pop. 2,253.
  A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859
  
  
• In 1869, Ellsworth was incorporated as a city by the Maine Legislature. The first City Hall was Hancock Hall, which stood at the corner of Main Street and School Street.
  
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•  1870 - Woman Soldier
  The Ellsworth (Maine) American has had a visit from a woman in that vicinity who served in the army two years, dressed in male attire. She has...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• In 1888, electricity was introduced into the Ellsworth area.
  
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  Hancock House
  Postcard
  
• 1895 - Ellsworth
  Ellsworth, a city, port of entry, and the capital of Hancock co., Me., is in Ellsworth township, and on the navigable Union River, a few miles from...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1896 (Ellsworth) The disputed city elections in 1896 resulted in the appointment of two separate Ellsworth police forces, each of which threatened to arrest the other.
  
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  Unitarian Church
  Postcard
  
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  Congregational Church
  Postcard
  
•  1907 - $25,000 FIRE AT ELLSWORTH.
  Ellsworth, Me., Jan. 25. - Hampered by frozen hydrants and in a temperature of 25 degrees below zero the volunteer firemen of Ellsworth, battled the...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1907 - Work on the Ellsworth hydro-electric dam began in 1907, at the site of one of the original Benjamin Milliken Union River dams. This led to the creation of the present Leonard's Lake just north of the city.
  
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  State Street, Public Library
  Postcard
  
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  Dam and Power House
  Postcard
  
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  Main Street, 1910
  Postcard
  
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  Harbor Scene, Union River
  Postcard
  
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  High Street (1910)
  Postcard
  
• 1916
  Ellsworth, a city, port of entry, and the capital of Hancock co., Me., on the navigable Union River, a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean and about 28 ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  G.N. Black's Residence
  Postcard
  
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  County Buildings
  Postcard
  
• 1923 - (Ellsworth) - Great Flood of 1923. A spring freshet rushed over the dam and carried off the metal Union River Bridge, along with many buildings along the river, such as the Dirigo Theater, the Foundry and many wharves and warehouses.
  This event marked the end of Ellsworth's prominence as a shipping center.
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  Hurd's Overnight Cottages, Route U.S. 1, Ellsworth, Maine
  Postcard
  
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  Ellsworth High School
  Postcard
  
•  May 7, 1933 - Great Ellsworth Fire of 1933 destroyed 130 homes and downtown businesses.
  FLAMES SWEEP ELLSWORTH, ME.
  Most of Town Doomed as 50 Business Buildings and 200 Dwellings Burn
  HALF-MILE WALL OF FIRE
  The New York Times
  New York, New York
  May 8, 1933
  
  
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  City Hall and Congregational Church
  The Friendly City
  Postcard
  
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  Main Street
  Postcard