Factories, mills, and industry
In the 19th century, Skowhegan Island was cluttered with mills and factories, including a paper mill, saw mill, two sash and blind factories, two flour mills, a wood pulp mill, three planing mills, a woolen mill, an oil cloth factory, two axe factories, one scythe factory, two harness and saddlery factories, and a foundry. (History of Skowhegan, Maine).
Later, they added two churches, a high school, a fire station, bridges, and more mills. The island housed and employed an estimated 12,000 people. It was so crowded, there was barely any room to walk. The first two covered bridges to the island were built in 1809; prior to this, the island was only accessible via boat or ferry. South Channel bridge, ca. 1894.
Toll house for the Skowhegan Bridge Co. For 75 years, tolls were collected to pay for the bridges. The toll collectors lived in the toll house.
Today, the site of the old toll house is occupied by a dairy treat bar.
Skowhegan Island from Elm St.
From left to right: old wooden bridge, fire station, Methodist Church, Congregational Church, mills and factories. More information here. |
Busy intersection heading onto Island Ave., from the corner of Water St., and Madison Ave., ca. 1900.
Same intersection, 30 years earlier in 1869.
Here's that busy intersection today, coming from Island Ave. and heading toward Water St. and Madison Ave.
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Today, the north and south channel dams, the old Solon Manufacturing factory, the Federated Church, power plant, dairy treat, a few houses and small businesses are all that remain on the island.
Revised December 13, 2013