Byron

in Oxford County incorporated in 1833, the village is located on the Swift River nears Coos [CO-oss] Canyon, legendary source of gold and other minerals. This sparsely populated town is served by Maine Route 17 connecting it with the Rumford-Mexico area to the south. See photos.

Buxton

Saco River with old bridge abutments in Buxton (2003)

was settled by men who were survivors of King Philip’s War having been granted allotments of land in what was then Narragansett, Number One. The first permanent settlers arrived in 1750. Named for Buxton in Norfolk, England, it incorporated in 1762. The Buxton Powder House, one of only three War of 1812 powder houses to survive in Maine, was erected on a vote of local citizens. See photos.

State Employees

State Employees as Percent of Population and Non-Farm Employment

As a result of budget constraints, Maine had fewer state employees in 2010 than it had thirty years ago in 1980. The number funded from state income and sales taxes (the General Fund) represents less than .5% (one-half of one percent) of the state’s population. The number of people employed by all funds (General, Highway,…