A Brief History...
Poland was established in 1795.
Our history includes the very famous Poland Spring Hotel, which was an important destination for many wealthy vacationers for 80-90 years and it generated a considerable amount of memorabilia. Our Historical Society has a significant amount of these items, which describe an era, and an economy, which greatly influenced our town's growth.
The State of Maine Building erected in Chicago for the 1895 Chicago World Fair and rebuilt here on the grounds of the Poland Spring Hotel and we also have considerable historical material about this building.
Several members of our society trace their family history back generations and we are the repository for many family records which detail the changes in our economy and population. Our records cover the period from the late 1700's into the present.
The Society's collection is stored in the Old School House. (Next to the Town Office Complex)
Historical Highlights of Poland
1736 The General Court of Massachusetts granted a petition for two townships of land to the officers and soldiers who had served in the disastrous campaign of 1690 against Canada. It was called the Bakerstown Grant. No real attempt to settle the area took place.
1741 George the II settled a boundary dispute by creating the Province of New Hampshire. The land for the Bakerstown Grant fell within the new province boundary lines and the title issued by Massachusetts was invalidated.
1765 The General Court responded to the demands of agents and granted a township of land to the Bakerstown proprietors. This township included Poland, Minot, Mechanic Falls, and the part of Auburn known as Marston's Corner.
1768 / 1769 Some of the first settlers were Nathaniel Bailey, Daniel Land, Moses Emery and John Nevens.
1770 Moses Emery settled in what is now East Poland. He built Bakerstowns first mill on the Little Androscoggin River at Minot Corner and established a ferry.
1772 Moses Emery, Jr was the first white male to be born in Bakerstown.
1792 Captain George Waterhouse built grist mill at the outlet of Range Pond.
1792 The first tavern was built by Capt. George Waterhouse.
1793 The first meeting house was built.
Its location is in question.
1794 A Shaker community was organized.
1795 On February 17th, Town of Poland incorporated from Bakerstown grant as Maine's 92nd town. It is believed that the name was taken form the tune "Poland" a great favorite of Moses Emery.
1797 Opening of original Mansion House, first of the Ricker hotels in South Poland.
1800 First Post office established at Poland Corner.
1802 Land set off to form Minot.
1819 The Shaker Society at Gorham disbanded and moved to Range Hill, a mile from Poland Spring.
1820 Maine admitted to the Union as 23rd State.
1827 Dedication of Poland Community Church.
1834 East Poland Office first established.
1837 Post Office established in West Poland.
1848 Rail travel comes to Poland as Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad depot is completed in East Poland.
1852 Land set off to Danville.
1854 Androscoggin County formed.
1857 Lease signed for Empire Grove Camp Ground.
1862 Post office established as South Poland. Name changed to Poland Spring in 1939.
1870 John S. Briggs built a steam mill at Poland Corner.
1876 Centennial of the United States of America.
1876 Opening of the Poland Spring House.
1877 The first barreling and bottling house of Poland Water was built.
1884 The Poland Dairy Association built a butter factory where the Poland Community School now stands. The Factory had an output of 300 pounds per day.
1885 Twenty-eight school districts had been formed by this time. The first district had been established on Range Hill in the southern part of town.
1888 Fernald & Keene Brothers began their packing of corn and other vegetables and fruits. Four years later there were a corporation under the name of Fernald, Keene and True Company in West Poland.
1890 The New Gloucester Shakers changed their name to Sabbathday Lake.
1893 Town of Mechanic Falls formed.
1893 The Maine State Building was constructed at the Worlds Fair in Chicago.
1894 The Maine State Building was transported from Chicago and reconstructed on the Poland Spring property by the Rickers.
1895 Dedication of the Maine State Building.
1895 Poland Centennial Celebration and Parade.
1900 Population of Poland is about 2000.
1904 Summit Spring Hotel opened on White Oak Hill.
1906 / 1907 The original Poland Spring Bottling facility was built.
1911 Bert M Fernald is inaugurated as Governor.
1912 All Souls Chapel is constructed.
1914 Dedication of 2nd Excelsior Grange Hall.
1916 Bert M Fernald elected to U.S. Senate.
1927 Dedication of present Town Hall at
Poland Corner.
1932 The Busy Bees Club was started.
1946 Poland Community Club was organized.
1954 The Poland Community School was constructed on the site of the old
Poland Dairy Butter factory.
1956 The Town converted to a Manager
form of government.
1956 The Summit Spring Hotel was razed.
1961 Community Health center dedicated.
1961 A four room addition was approved to Poland Community School.
1964 Alvan Bolster Ricker Memorial Library and Community House dedicated.
1965 The State Park and Recreation Commission acquired over 500 acres of land on the southern end of Lower Range Pond for a park.
1965/1966 The Poland Spring House was leased to the Federal Government for Job Corps.
1969 Poland Fire department was constructed behind the Town Hall.
1970 Poland's 175th Anniversary
with Parade and program.
1970 Population of Poland approximately 2,015.
1970 The Poland Spring Resort hosted the Spiritual Indian Guru - Maharishia Mahesh Yogi.
1973 The Town Highway garage was constructed.
1973 Perrier Corp purchased Poland Spring Water.
1975 The Poland Spring House burned down.
1976 Poland Spring Preservation Society
received charter.
1977 Range Pond State Park was opened.
1978 The Mansion House had in been in the process of being razed, when it was destroyed by fire.
1979/1980 The Town's solid waste transfer station was constructed.
1979 The Poland Spring Health Institute opened.
1980 Population of Poland approximately 3,752.
1982 The addition to Poland Community School was constructed with a cafeteria and gymnasium.
1989 The new Town Office constructed.
1989 The new Fire and Rescue Station
was constructed.
1990 Population of Poland approximately 4,321.
1990 Welcome to Poland signs erected.
1990 A new Post Office was opened on Route 26 serving Poland spring, located one mile south of Poland corner.
1994 Post office at Poland Corner closed.
1995 Poland celebrates Bicentennial.
1995 Poland Historical Society formed.
1999 Bruce M. Whittier Middle School and Poland Regional High School opened.
2000 Population of Poland approximately 4,723.
Source: Poland Bicentennial
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