History of Skowhegan, Maine, USA

Brief History
The land was settled in 1773 as a part of Canaan. Colonel Benedict Arnold and his troops passed through the village in 1775 on their way to the ill-fated Battle of Quebec. It would be set off from Canaan and incorporated on February 5, 1823 under the name Milburn. The first officials of the town were as follows: Moderator, Joseph Patten; Town Clerk, Samuel Weston; Selectmen, Benjamin Eaton, Joseph Merrill, Samuel Weston, and Josiah Parlin. However, inhabitants preferred the old name of Skowhegan, as it would be renamed in 1836. In 1861, the town annexed Bloomfield across the river. Skowhegan became county seat in 1871.

en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Skowhegan,_Maine

1818 - Skowhegan State Fair
The Skowhegan State Fair was established in 1818. It is the nation's oldest consecutively running agricultural fair.

1839 - Skowhegan
Skowhegan, Maine
Somerset county. This town was formerly called Milburn: it took the Indian name of the place in 1836. It is situated on the N. side of Kennebec river, at Skowhegan Falls. The river runs here in an eastern direction. The local situation of Skowhegan, its admirable water power, and the fertility of the adjacent country, united with the enterprise of its inhabitants, has rendered the place, but recently a wilderness, one of the best cultivated townships in the state, the site of a great number of mills, and a mart of an extensive trade. There is much delightful scenery about Skowhegan: the village is neatly built, and its beauty is much enhanced by the whiteness of the houses contrasted with the blue and green of the river and its banks. Between Skowhegan and Bloomfield is a small island in the river. Across this island are noble bridges uniting the towns. This place lies 5 miles below Norridgewock, and 33 N. from Augusta. Population, 1830, 1,006; 1837, 1,433.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1839 - Bloomfield
Bloomfield, Maine
Somerset county. This town was incorporated in 1814, and lies on Kennebec river, 33 miles N. from Augusta and 7 below Norridgewock, opposite to Skowhegan. Population, 1837, 1,053. Bloomfield is a fine township of land, and produced, in 1837, 5,080 bushels of wheat.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1854 - Skowhegan
Skowiiegan, a post-township of Somerset co., Maine, about 30 miles N. from Augusta. Population, 1756.

Skowheoan, a thriving post-village in the above township, on the Kennebec river, opposite Bloomfield, with which it is connected by a bridge, about 30 miles N. by E. from Augusta. It contains 3 newspaper offices, several shoe manufactories, and 2 churches.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1868 - Destructive Fire in Maine - Loss $30,000.
LEWISTON, Me., Saturday, Feb. 8. - In Skowhegan, last night, a fire destroyed the building known as the Excelsior Factory, occupied as follows:

ALMA ABBOTT, planing mills, loss $3,000
L. MILLS, slate grinding mills, loss $3,000
L. C. HOUGHTON & Co., millwrights, loss $1,500
J. F. TURNER, bedsted manufactory, loss $1,000
C. F. DOUGLAS, architect and builder, loss $700
BROWN & BARBER, carving-knife manufacturers, loss $500

The building was entirely destroyed. It was owned by M. WILLIS, whose loss is $5,000. None of the above property was injured.

The fire crossed the street, and entirely destroyed a two-and-a-half story wooden building, owned and occupied by S. L. GOULD as a machine-shop and foundry. The loss on the building, including the machinery, is $15,000.

The property was insured in a Springfield Company, of Providence, R. I., for $2,500. DARNET WHORFF's ax factory was slightly damaged, but is insured. Half the bridge crossing the river was burned. The total loss ... Read MORE...

1886 - Skowhegan
Skowhegan is a prosperous manufacturing town lying on both sides of the great bend of the Kennebec in the southern part of Somerset County, of which it is the shire town. Cornville bounds it on the north, Canaan on the east, Fairfield on the south and Norridgewock on the west. The surface is somewhat broken by swells and ridges, Bigelow Hill, the greatest elevation being about 500 feet in height. Slate rock generally underlies the soil, the latter being sandy loam, and quite fertile. Hay, potatoes and wool are the principal agricultural products. The water-power of the town is on the Kennebec, at Skowhegan Falls, where the whole volume of the river descends 28 feet in half a mile. An island, the head of which is at the crest of the perpendicular fall, divides the river into two channels, and serves at once as a natural pier and as a site for mills. The bottom and banks of the stream are of solid ledge, and other vast masses of rock support the dam and render it of great strength. The ... Read MORE...

1889 - Skowhegan
The oddity of its old Indian name has secured to Skowhegan a wider celebrity beyond the borders of the State than most towns of its size enjoy, but in the beauty of its situation, the character and refinement of its people and the solidity of its interests, this enterprising town is worthy of all and even more fame than it has received. It is situated thirty-three miles from Augusta, and can be reached directly by a branch of the Maine Central Railroad, of which it is the terminus. Sheltered by lovely hills, with fine water privileges, a fertile soil and salubrious climate, this beautiful town near the center of Maine is one of those delightful spots which sometimes surprise, an experienced traveler with glimpses of charms he has never seen before, and remain one of the most treasured of memory’s bright pictures. The name of the town was about the only thing bequeathed to it by its earliest, inhabitants, who were quite famous for inventing odd cognomens of this character, and who seem ... Read MORE...

1895 - Skowhegan
Skowhe'gan, a post-village, capital of Somerset co., Me., in Skowhegan township, on both sides of the Kennebec River, 30 miles N. by E. of Augusta, and about 50 miles W. of Bangor. It is a terminus of the West Branch of the Maine Central Railroad. It contains a fine court house, 6 or 7 churches, 2 national banks, a savings-bank, 1 or 2 newspaper offices, a combined academy and high school, a paper-mill, 2 flour-mills, 2 foundries, 2 manufactories of oil-cloth, 2 axe-factories, a woollen-mill, a tannery, and a saw-mill. The river here falls 28 feet perpendicular. Pop. of the township in 1890, 5068.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Skowhegan, a post-village, capital of Smoerset co., Me., in Skowhegan township (town), on both sides of the Kennebec River, 30 miles N. by E. of Augusta, on the Maine Central R. It contains a fine court-house, public library, etc., and has paper and pulp-mills, manufactures of oil-cloth, leather, woollen goods, scythes, etc. Pop. in 1900, 4266; of the town, 5180.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1930 - KILLED BY BLAST OF DYNAMITE
Skowegan, Me., March 17. - Leroy McPhierson, 22, of Mapleton, Arlistook conty[sic], died at midnight Saturday at the Kennebec Valley Hospital, Skowhegan, as the result of injuries received from a blast of dynamite while employed at Wyman Dam, Bingham. He was brought to the hospital at 8:30 Saturday night. One leg was amputated.
Portsmouth Herald
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
March 17, 1930

1948 - First Woman Senator
Skowhegan native Margaret Chase Smith is elected to the US Senate making her the first woman to ever be voted into this office and also the first women to serve in both houses of Congress.

www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/state-history-timeline/ maine.html

Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful getaway, Skowhegan has something to offer. Let's dive into some of the best places to go and things to do in this lovely Maine town:
1. Skowhegan History House Museum:
Start your journey through Skowhegan by delving into its rich history at the Skowhegan History House Museum. This historical gem is housed in a beautifully preserved 1839 Greek Revival mansion. It's filled with artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that showcase the town's history, from its Native American roots to its industrial past. You'll get a glimpse of Skowhegan's evolution over the centuries.

2. Lake George Regional Park:
Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy at Lake George Regional Park, located just a short drive from Skowhegan. This 320-acre park offers hiking trails, a sandy beach, and a serene lake for swimming, boating, and fishing. It's an ideal spot for a picnic with family and friends or a peaceful afternoon in the great outdoors.

3. Coburn Park:
For a leisurely stroll or a relaxing afternoon, visit Coburn Park in the heart of Skowhegan. This beautifully landscaped park features walking paths, benches, and a gazebo.... Read MORE...