[CHARLES-tun] a town in Penobscot County, incorporated on February 16, 1811 under the name of New Charleston from township T2 R5 NWP.

The current name was adopted in 1827 since the original name was meant to distinguish it from the Massachusetts town of Charleston, but Maine statehood in 1820 eliminated the confusion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1886, George  Varney observed that on the the Kenduskeag Stream and the Pushaw Stream each have one or more water-powers [dams or dam sites], and all were formerly occupied by mills. Three powers are thus occupied at present by saw-mills.

 

 

 

The principal occupation is agricultural. There are many farms in the town, a large product being horses and domestic cattle. Charleston, a little north of the middle of the town, is a pleasant village, and the principal business centre. West Charleston is the other post-office. . . .

The township was granted by Massachusetts, July 14, 1802, to John Lowell. The settlement was commenced as early as 1795 by Charles Vaughan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charleston had ten schoolhouses, with a population of 1,191 in 1870, and of 1,111 in 1880.  A large population for the time and relatively remote area.

In 1891 the Maine Legislature incorporated in Charleston a private “institution of learning by the name of the Higgins Classical Institute, for the promotion of Christian education, and the instruction of youth in such languages, arts and sciences as the trustees hereinafter named shall direct.”  The original building has been expanded in recent years.

Higgins Classical Institute’s sturdy buildings appear to have met the test of time based on these early postcard images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1950 the U.S. Air Force developed a base on Bull Hill to “provide search and radar to the semiautomatic ground environment (SAGE) . . . and to  provide ground-to-air communications and aircraft control.” The mission was “the detection and warning of any sea launched ballistic missiles”. The base deactivated in 1979.

 

The former base in (2014) hostsed a correctional center using the former base facilities. Now [2022] The Maine Correctional Center has ben integrated to a revised correctional system. (see the link above)

The town has had continuous population growth from 1970 through 2010.

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

Additional resources

Chadbourne, Ava Harriet. Maine Place Names and The Peopling of its Towns.

Maine. Legislature. Acts and Resolves Passed by the Legislature of the State of Maine.  “An Act to Incorporate the Higgins Classical Institute. Chapter 91. Approved and Effective February 19, 1891.

Varney, George J. A Gazetteer of the State of Maine. 1886. p. 169-170.

National Register of Historic Places – Listings

Photos, and edited text are from nominations to the National Register of Historic Places researched by Maine. Historic Preservation Commission.
Full text and photos are at https://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp

United Baptist Church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The United Baptist Church is located in the village center of Charleston. The gable front Queen Anne style church is significant for its distinctive architectural plan. The building represents a locally unusual auditorium style plan which incorporates elements of Akron Plan design. The 1830 church was altered in 1892 to create a two-story building, add an octagonal tower, and create a flexible meeting space in an auditorium style design.

This comprehensive alteration is significant as it reflects innovative church configurations of the period. As patterns of worship have evolved Akron Plan elements have often been altered to accommodate new trends. The frequency of similar designs is also limited in this rural area of the state with scattered small towns and generally conservative tastes. The church is owned by a religious organization and still functions as a church.