The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-02-15


this exact location.
1792-James Malbon, ST.. built mil
on Wesserunsett at point now known
as Malbon's Mills.
1811-First dam built across South
Channel by Solomon Stewart. Jr., who
erected grist mill thereon. This dan
was undoubtedly given about the 10
cation of South Channel bridge.
1S14-February s, Bloomfield (Soutt
side of kennebec River, including Is
land) incorporated.
1820-Mention is made in the old
histories OF a saw mill owned by a
Mr.. Head on the North Side of Ken
nebec River at Skowhegan falls.
1S23-February 5, the town of MIL
burn Incorporated. This included
territory on North side of Skowhegan
set off from the old town OF Canaan
1S32-Skowhegan Lyceum Commit
tee reports favorably on navigation
project between Waterville Bay (now
the city of Wateryille) and the Great
Eddy.
1836-Name of Milburn (set off from
Canaan and incorporated 1929 chang
ed to Skowhegan.
183S-Somerset Central Agricultu-
raj Society organized. Grounds were
at present location but did not include
anything like the present area.
1S42-Pottery established by Sam
uel Philbrick at foot of Neal Hill.
This was shortly afterwards moved
to south side of river, where 1t was
continued until about 1870.
1850. A. Williams G. Son COM
menced the manufacture of chisels on
Mill St.
Manufacture of oilcloth COM
menced by A. & P. Coburn. Build
ings, fprobably not those originally
erectedl in which oileloth was manu-
featured, are still standing on Willow
street.
1866 A. Williams & Son COM
menced the manufacture of skates.
1S57-First steam railroad con-
structed to Skowhegan.
1S6f-Skowhegan north side of
river) and Bloomfield (south side of
river united.
1S63--Manufacture of axes common
ced by Barnet Wharf on Mill street.
1S66-Oilcloth business sold to c..
VI. Bailey Sons C Company. This
firm Is still doing an extensive busi-
ness in their factories at Winthrop.
1868-Foundry Established some
time previously in operation on south
side OF Mill street near present loca-
ton of first Anderson mill. This
business was owned by Cleveland &
Downing.
1868-Ground wood pulp first made
in Skowhegan. Mill on Island own
ed by William b. Drew.
1870-Foundry and machine shop.
On present site of first Anderson mill,
burned. This was established about
1858.
1870-Manufacture of pottery, com
nenced by Samuel Philbrick in 1912.
discontinued.
1871-fThis date not entirely accur-
lte) Andrew Morse built saw MILL
grist mill and cloth mill on Mill St
1t mouth of Currier Brook.
1S72--Wood working factory es-
tablished by X. l.. Mitchell. This
$ now Skowhegan Novelty Works.
1S73-Shire town of Somerset
County changed from Norridgewock
o Skowhegan. Court house, the gift
Of Governor Abner Cohurn, built.
1S73-Charles A. Williams & Son
commenced the manufacture of hat
lhets. This firm had previously made
,hisels (1S53 and skates 1850.
1S75-First textile industry, Coburn
Wooden Mills. founded. The Amer
can Wooden Company, Skowhegan
Mills. have grown from this first be-
ginning.
1877-Scythe factory established by
!. & NJ. Nolin on Mill street. Was
furnishing industry for many years.
1SS1--Factory of Portland Packing
Company established on Spring street.
1S82-Shoe industry established in
5kowhegan by Keene Brothers of
lynn, Mass, in four story. brick
building now owned by American
Wooden Company.
1SS2-Ander5on Mills builds an adj
litional building on East Front street.
This business was established as the
Coburn Wooden mills in 1875. Has
,ince passed into the hands OF the
American Wooden Company.
1SS4-Skowhegan Jersey Creamery
established, largely through the eff
'orts of the late Charles A. Marston.
1S94-Skowhegan and Norridgewock
'rolley road completed. This COM
pany had an amusement park on their
line at the Pines, halfway to Nor
ridgewock Road discontinued in
1908.
96-Somerset Traction line to
Lakewood and Madison completed,
9-Marston Worsted Mills es-
,ablished in brick building. known as
The Kidder Mill. in later years oc-
cupied by the Maine Spinning COM
pany.
1900-Anderson Mills then compris-
ing two brick buildings on Mill. Main
and East Front streets, sold to Amer
can Wooden Company. This indus
try was established as the CoDurn
Wooden Mills in 1875.
-Manufa cture of clothing com
menced by Miller a. Wyman. This
industry was in the rear of the Hesel-
ton block on Water street. Indus
try discontinued in 1905
1903-Skowhegan and Norridge-
Wock trolley line discontinued after