Princeton

[PRINCE-tun] in Washington County, settled in 1815 and incorporated on February 3, 1832 from Plantation T17 ED, BPP. It later ceded land to Baileyville in 1847.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The town surrounds most of Pocomoonshine Lake, the origins of whose fascinating name is unclear. The 1886 Gazetteer of Maine referred to it as “Shining Lake.”

Then Princeton had a large tannery, a woolen mill, a grist mill, and several saw mills.

The Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation is located just north of the main village in Indian Township on U.S. Route 1, which continues its northward trek from Calais, through Woodland (Baileyville) and Princeton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Town Office is on Depot Street. Princeton’s public library is located on Maine Street, as is The Bellmard Inn.  The Inn was built in 1866 by Daniel Bellmard and purchased by Daniel Belmore the following year.  In 1896 the building was destroyed by fire but quickly rebuilt. Belmore’s son, also Daniel, wrote a history of the town in 1945.

 

 

 

 

 

Along its northern boundary is a chain of lakes, including Long Lake and Lewey Lake, easily accessible from Princeton Village. Princeton Municipal Airport has two runways and is located on the Airport Road just outside the  village.

 

Form of Government: Town Meeting-Select Board.

Additional resources

“Bellmard Inn & Cabins.” http://www.bellmardinn.com/inn.htm (accessed February 26, 2012)

Belmore, Bruce Weatherby. Early Princeton, Maine. Princeton, Me. 1945. (Portland, Me. Southworth-Anthoensen Press) [University of Maine, Raymond H. Fogler Library, Special Collections; Maine State Library]