Topsfield

[TOPS-field] is a town in Washington County. It was settled first in 1832  by Nehemiah Kneeland from Topsfield, Massachusetts an incorporated on February 24, 1838 from the township T8 R2 NBPP. Just over 100 years later, it surrendered its status as a town, a fate of several Maine towns during the Great Depression.

In the 1880’s farming was the major occupation, growing mostly wheat and potatoes.  One sawmill was in operation.

After a brief experiment as a plantation (1940-1941), the community was reincorporated as a town on September 12, 1959.

Located in a small park near the fire department, the veterans memorial and the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s solar system model marker are on display. But where is the model of Eris, the dwarf planet responsible for Pluto’s demotion from planet to dwarf planet?  Apparently before this photo was taken, the model itself was taken, leaving a bare pole!

Logging and hunting are major activities in this rural community. Topsfield has substantial resources in the long shoreline of Baskahegan Lake and the two smaller lakes: East Musquash and Farrow.  Snigdom Road near Farrow Lake connects with several unimproved roads to the lake shore.

The village is at the intersection of north-south U.S. Route 1 and east-west Maine Route 6.

Form of Government: Town Meeting-Select Board-Administrative Assistant.

Additional resources

Historical Sketch of Nehemiah Kneeland: Pioneer of Topsfield, Maine. Maine. 1869? [University of Maine, Raymond H. Fogler Library, Special Collections]

Varney, George J. A Gazetteer of the State of Maine. 1886. p. 539-540.