Centerville

Location Map For Centerville

now an unorganized township, was a town in Aroostook County. In 1886 it had a rail freight connection, now a recreational trail, with Machias. The economy was based on two shingle mills, potatoes and hay. 1870 population stood at 145; by 1880 it had plunged to 32, from which level it never recovered. The town deorganized in 2004.

Chamberlain, Joshua L.

Joshua L. Chamberlain (courtesy Maine State Museum)

(1828-1914) was born September 8, 1828, in Brewer the eldest of five children. He worked on his father’s farm and, like many other promising young men, taught school for a time. Entering Bowdoin College in Brunswick in 1848, Chamberlain studied the traditional classical curriculum and showed particular skill at languages. At First Parish Church, he…

Chandler, John

John Chandler, Senate President courtesy Maine State Archives

(1762-1841) was born in Epping, New Hampshire, brother of Thomas Chandler and uncle of Zachariah Chandler, both penniless and illiterate. A U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and a U. S. Senator from Maine, he served in Congress in the following years: 1820-1823; 1823-1825; 1825-1829 as a Democratic-Republican, Crawford Republican, and a Jacksonian, precursors to the Democratic…

Chapman

Fall Foliage at Dudley Brook on the West Chapman Road (2014)

a town in Aroostook County, incorporated in 1915 from Chapman Plantation, was settled in the late 1860s. It cooperates with Castle Hill and Mapleton with a common town manager and comprehensive plan. The Haystack Historical Society serves this rural area.

Charleston

Higgins Classical Institute (2014)

in Penobscot County, incorporated in 1811 under the name of New Charleston. Higgins Classical Institute, for “the promotion of christian education,” was established in 1891. Once the site of a U.S. Air Force radar and communications base, it now hosts a correctional center using the former base facilities. See photos.

Charlotte

Pennamaquan Lake in Charlotte (2004)

in Washington County, incorporated in 1825. Its Pennamaquan Wildlife Management Area, a 1,500-plus acre site, offers opportunities for boating, canoeing, hunting, fishing, and viewing of eagles, deer and waterfowl. The first settlement was established about 1807-1810.

Chebeague Island

Chebeague Island from Bangs Island (2015)

    [shuh-BEEG-iland] is a town in Cumberland County, incorporated on July 1, 2007 after separating from the mainland town of Cumberland. In doing so, it joined its neighbor Long Island as another new town in Casco Bay. The 2000 census recorded the population at 356; in 2010 it was 341. The town consists of…

Chelsea

in Kennebec County, named for a town in Massachusetts, incorporated in 1851. Togus Medical Center, known generally as “Togus” is here. Originally it was the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers from the Civil War. The grange, school and town hall are clustered near each other. See photos.

Cherryfield

1850 Cherryfield Academy building, with a veterans memorial (200

in Washington County, incorporated 1816, straddles the Narraguagus River. See photos. Once a favorite spot for catching the now endangered Atlantic Salmon, it is a blueberry growing and processing center. A shipbuilding community, it produced the bark Belgrade, which rounded Cape Horn with 56 local men during the California gold rush.

Chesuncook

    [chu-SUN-cook] is an unorganized township (T5 R13 WELS) in Piscataquis County. The name means “at the place of the principal outlet,” according to McCauley. Chesuncook Lake extends south to T3 R12 WELS. Ripogenus Dam, constructed 1916-1920 “at the place of the principal outlet,” vastly expanded the lake and provided water storage for log…

China

in Kennebec County near Augusta, incorporated 1818, is the birthplace of a member of Congress and a Quaker educator-author. China Lake, around which Quakers and Baptists settled in the early 19th century, dominates the community and its history as a recreational center. See photos.

Cilley, Jonathan

Jonathan Cilley, courtesy Maine State Museum

(1802-1838), nephew of Bradbury Cilley (U.S. Representative from New Hampshire 1813-1817) and brother of Joseph Cilley U.S. Senator from New Hampshire), was a U.S. Representative who was born in Nottingham, Rockingham County, New Hampshire on July 2, 1802. He attended Atkinson Academy in New Hampshire, was graduated from New Hampton Academy and later, in 1825,…

Clapp, Asa

Asa William Henry Clapp (1805-1891) a U.S. Representative was born in Portland on March 6, 1805, and was graduated from the Norwich (Vermont) Military Academy in 1823. He engaged as a merchant in foreign and domestic commerce at Portland. In the early 1820s, he owned what was to become the McLellan-Sweat Mansion, now a National…

Clark, Franklin

(1801-1874) a U.S. Representative was born in Wiscasset on August 2, 1801. He attended the common schools, and engaged in the lumber and shipping business in Wiscasset. Clark was a member of the Maine State Senate in 1847 and was elected as a Democrat to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1849). He engaged…

Clauson, Clinton A.

Clinton A. Clauson (courtesy of Maine State Museum)

was born in Iowa on March 24, 1898. After attending local schools and serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, he graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic and soon moved his practice to Waterville, where he practiced until 1938. Clauson became active in local and state Democratic committees beginning in 1928 and…

Cleaves, Henry B.

Henry B. Cleaves (courtesy Maine State Museum)

(1840-1912) born in Bridgton on February 6, 1840, was Maine governor from 1893 to 1897. Educated in local schools and at Bridgeton Academy, During the Civil War he enlisted in Company B of the 23rd Maine Volunteers and by War’s had been promoted to Lieutenant. After working in a factory and lumber yard, Cleaves began…

Clifford, Nathan

Nathan Clifford, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (second from left)

(1803-1881) was a U.S. Representative who was born in Rumney, New Hampshire on August 18, 1803. He attended the public schools of Rumney, the Haverhill (New Hampshire) Academy, and New Hampton Literary Institute. He taught school and gave vocal lessons, then studied law in New York, was admitted to the bar, and began his practice…

Clifton

Parks Pond Bluff or Cliff (2013

in Penobscot County, incorporated 1848, settled in 1815, and recently growing in population, Clifton provides recreational opportunities, at the southeast end of Chemo Pond and Peaked Mountain, for the greater Bangor area. Fitts Pond in the southwest corner provides water access for Boy Scout Camp Roosevelt. See photos.