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, that greatly influenced our wonderful town's growth.
The State of Maine Building was erected in Chicago for the 1895 Chicago World Fair and rebuilt here on the grounds of the Poland Spring Hotel. We have considerable historical material about this building.
Several members of our society trace their family history back many 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 detailed 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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