Above image: Skowhegan Falls on the Kennebec. From: The Project Gutenberg EBook of Forest Life and Forest Trees: comprising winter camp-life among the loggers, and wild-wood adventure., by John S. Springer. (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/37684/37684-h/37684-h.htm#falls).
The skowhegan state fair
The Skowhegan State Fair was organized in 1818 and the first fair was held in January (yes, January), 1819. Named the Somerset Central Agricultural Society until 1942 when it became the Skowhegan State Fair.
It is the oldest running annual agricultural fair in the United States. |
coburn and debe parks
the foot bridges
The Skowhegan Free Public Library was built in 1889 using funds from the Abner Coburn estate.
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Dedicated in 1982, the Margaret Chase Smith Library is an "archive, museum, educational facility, and public policy center." (www.mcslibrary.org/intro.htm)
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more interesting places
Skowhegan's Big Indian
At 62 feet tall atop a 20 foot base, Skowhegan boasts the world's tallest Indian. Created by Bernard Langlais, and dedicated to the Abenaki of Maine, it was built in 1969 to commemorate Maine's 150th anniversary. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/6162 |
Built in 1839, the site of the Skowhegan History House was originally a potter's shed. Clay from the riverbank was used to make earthenware.
The History House Story. |
Opened in 1954, the Skowhegan Drive-in was one of 47 drive-ins in the state of Maine. Today, 5 remain open.
www.skowhegandrivein.com |
The Strand Theatre opened in 1920. Today it is called the Strand Cinema and has two additional screens.
Fun fact: It is listed as one of the 50 most haunted places in America. |
Revised December 13, 2013