Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08
Estates, $4,8o9, 583

Population, 1881 Estates, $4,so9, SO;
Skowhegan, the county seat OF
Somerset County is situated on the
kennebec River with an island OF
considerable size separating the
| north and south sides of the village
In 1910 the proprietors of the Ken
! nebec Purchase or the Plymouth
Company gave lots of two hundred
acres to each person who should set
tie on these tracts of land in Canaan
including all of Skowhegan on con-
dition that actual settlement was
made for ten years. and a dwelling
house was built within three years
Joseph Weston, considered the first
settler, a man well along in years
of Littletown, Mass. in 1771 came tc
Canaan, now Skowhegan and built
his log house near the bank of the
Kennebec River on the south side
about three miles below Skowhegan
Falls. With the help of his son,
Isaac he planted the first crops which
were harvested by the white men.
The place Of this first settlement
has been appropriately marked by
the Eunice Farnsworth Chapter,
d. A. r., as has also the trail over
which Benedict Arnold passed
through Skowhegan on his eventful
trip against Quebec, Canada.
Fifty or seventy-tive years ago
French Canadians came to Skowheg-
an, coming by blackboard teams. At
first they came to work in the haying
season, however some would remain
each year. Skowhegan now has a
considerable French population.
The Scotch and English have in
some numbers come to Skowhegan
TO make their home. They are mostly
Textile and yarn mill experts and
employers. In the last decade a
number of families from New Bruns-
wick. Canada have located in Show
hogan, most of them have purchased
nearby farms which they are operat-
ing successfully.
From the early beginning there
has been continuous growth and
progress until Skowhegan is one If
the most beautiful and prosperous
towns in the state. Speaking briefly
of the towns development it is of in
terest to know that in the fall of 1913
a mill was begun on the Skowhegau
Island by Joel Crosby. little below
the falls on the south channel hut
before it was completed freshet de-
stroyed it. The first mill built in
Bloomfield was built by Solomon
Steward. Senior on Currier brook
soon after and for some time sup
piled the needs of the settlers. Solo,
mon Steward, Jr. erected the first
dam across the west channel and
built a grist mill in 1911 and saw
mills were built a little later. In
1875 Lewis Anderson, a Scotchman,
came from Troy. N. Y. to Skowhegan
and built the first wooden mill which
was financed in part by a syndicate
of wealthy citizens. In 1900 the mill
was taken over by the American
Wooden Company who now operate
three plants here. Skowhegan has
become an industrial center for this
part of the state. and this industrial
development in itself is an interest
ing story. The present industries In
clude besides the American Wooden
Mills. the Maine Spinning Mill, pulp
mill. paper mill. wood working nov
city mills. shoe shops. flour and grist
mill, packing house, Skowhegan Jer-
sey creamery.
The first electric light for street
lighting in Somerset County was
hung at Railroad square about 1885,.
Now the Central Maine Power Com
pany have fine plant here in the
weston Powerhouse. of a capacity
or fine unites. located on the Island
taking the place Of the old foundry
and machine shop. landmark for
many years. This fall an under
ground cable has been placed for
lighting the business section and the
poles removed and standard lights
set.