Linneus

[LIN-ee-us] is a town in Aroostook County, incorporated on March 19, 1836 from Linneus township T2.

The land was granted to Harvard College in 1804, by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to endow a botany professorship and was named for the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778). A founder of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences and a physician, he established the basic method for classifying plants that is still in use.

The first settler, Daniel Neal, arrived in 1826, with others following a few years later encouraged by the establishment of a military post in Houlton and the building of a military supply road to that post.

According to the Gazetteer of Maine in 1886, at a time when the population was about 900,

Linneus village, near the centre of the town, is also the centre of business. Linneus has two saw-mills; one of these and a grist mill being near the Meduxnekeag Lake, on its outlet. The old “Military Road” passes through the town. . . .

Potatoes, hay, and wheat are chiefly cultivated, though from 80 to 90 bushels of corn to an acre have sometimes been produced. In the north-western part limestone of an excellent quality is found in abundance. Magnetic iron ore is quite plentiful in some parts, and affords beautiful cabinet specimens.

The “Military Road” was built in response to the northeast boundary dispute and the Aroostook War. Route 2A through Linneus follows its route. Edwin C. Burleigh (1843-1916) was a U.S. Representative and a U.S. Senator from Maine, was born in Linneus, November 27, 1843, when its population was barely 300.

Linneus shares frontage on the eastern end of Nickerson Lake with nearby New Limerick.  Crescent Park and a boat launch are located in Linneus.

Form of Government: Town Meeting-Select Board-Manager.

Additional resources

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

Varney, George J. A Gazetteer of the State of Maine. 1886. p.. 332-333.