MONSON, MAINE

HISTORY

1822 - 1997


1972 FOREWORD

The following data has been gathered and assembled with as much accuracy as 
possible.This history could not have been compiled without the many hours of help 
freely given by the citizens of Monson. The main sources of information for this 
book are listed at the back, for the convenience of the reader.

May this history bring pleasure to the readers now and in the future, but 
especially to those with memories of the past.

Jeanne Brown Reed, Althea Haggstrom French, Elizabeth Emanuelson Davis


1997 FOREWORD


It is with pride that we, the 175th Anniversary Committee, dedicate this book to 
the Citizens of Monson. Its purpose is to preserve virtually all of the events 
published in the Sesquicentennial edition of 1972 with minor corrections and the 
changes which have occurred over the last 25 years in the town.

May this book give the reader enjoyment, as well as a source of information, 
while learning about the History of Monson.

Althea Haggstrom French, Jeanne Brown Reed, Julie Sargent Anderson


175th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE


Back Row: Richard Coburn, Annalee Korsman Libby, Jeanne"Gina" Reed, Dick Hunt. 
Middle Row: Cindy Ranta, Cindi Annis, Bernice "Bunny" Knight, Patricia Brown, 
Estella Bennett, Helen Grant, Julie Anderson, Mary Witmer. Front Row: Susan Ruby, 
Carolyn Amos, Althea French, Judy Lewis, Christine Sargent. Seated: Daryl Witmer. 
Committee members absent from photo: Janie Lander, Chris Hall, Bobbi-Jean Ryder, 
Rick Pembroke, Brenda Tetlow, John Wentworth, Carol Ward, Renie French, 
Mary-Ellen Pembroke, Clowes Brown, MaryAnn Bjork.

Co-Chairpersons: Daryl & Mary Witmer Treasurer: Bobbi-Jean Ryder 
Secretary/Publicity Co-Chairpersons: Janie Lander & Judy Lewis


BOARD OF SELECTMEN

L to R: Paul O. Suomi, Cynthia L. Annis, Alan Melia


TOWN MANAGER TOWN CLERK

Jeanne B. Reed Julie S. Anderson


HISTORY OF MONSON 1822 - 1997


EARLY HISTORY:

Monson was incorporated as a town by an act of State Legislature on February 8, 
1822. This territory was first in the possession of Massachusetts. On February 
27,1811, Massachusetts granted 11,520 acres to Hebron Academy and on June 17, 
1811, granted 11,520 acres to Monson Academy. In 1820, Maine became a State. 
April 22, 1822, was the setting of the first meeting to form a town government. 
The inhabitants of this town, in response to a warrant issued by Samuel Pingree, 
Esq., of Parkman, met at the house of Whitney, Hyde & Co., for the purpose of 
completing the organization as a town by the choice of the necessary officers. 
This they did by choosing Andrew Cushman, Moderator; Samuel Whitney, Town Clerk; 
Samuel Whitney, Andrew Cushman and Abel Goodell, Selectmen and Assessors; Lucius 
Hyde, Treasurer; Austin Newell, Constable and Collector; Abel Goodell, Lucius 
Hyde and Chauncey L. Colton, School Committee; and filling the other offices by 
the choice of good and true men. The number of voters in the town at the time of 
its organization was twenty-one, namely: Amos Atkinson, Wm. Blunt, Amasa Chapin, 
Calvin Cushman, Geo. Douty, Abel Goodell, Wm. A. Hyde, Lucius Hyde, Joseph 
Jackson, Austin Newell, Abel Packard, Shepherd Packard, Asa Piper, Horatio 
Sherman, Isaac Tyler, Samuel Whitney and Samuel Weymouth. The total population 
numbered ninety at that time. Monson continued to run on the Selectmen form of 
government until 1943, when they decided to elect a Town Manager to run the 
business of the town. The Town Manager also serves as Tax Collector, Road 
commissioner and Treasurer. The first to be elected for this office was Lyle 
Towne who held the position until 1955. To date Monson has had four town 
managers. The first settler in this town was Joseph Bearce, who came from Hebron 
in 1816. He had been here the previous year and felled a few trees. He commenced 
on lot numbered nine in the second range. During that summer, 1816, he cleared a 
field and built a small log house. This was the first house in town. It was 
situated a few rods north of the road now leading from our village to Blanchard, 
and near where the road formerly known as the "Dudley Road' leaves the Blanchard 
Road. In the spring of 1818 he married Nancy Ricker of Paris. In the autumn of 
the same year death claimed him for its victim. While Mr. Bearce lived in this 
town, the path from Abbot to the settlement diverged from the path leading to 
Million Acres, now Blanchard, and finding a pair of moose horns, Mr. B. placed 
them upon a post as a guide board. From that time on they served as a guide post 
for the many settlers traveling on these spotted trails. In 1882, William Weeks 
shot a moose and put its horns on the post. He painted Million Acres on one horn 
and Monson on the other horn. On Aug. 25, 1914, the Piscataquis Historical 
Society held a dedication ceremony replacing another set. Several pairs were 
stolen over the years and some were simply demolished from the elements. In June 
of 1955, still another pair was mounted on the iron post. This was the sixth set 
of moose horns dating from 1817 to 1955. On Oct. 29, 1961, the DAR Tisbury Manor 
Chapter placed a bronze marker at the "Moosehorns" to preserve the historic 
landmark. In 1816, Geo. Doughty from Gray, and Simeon Irish, from Hebron, 
commenced to fell trees in what has since been known as the "Witham 
Neighborhood". Mr. Irish built a small house that fall and moved into it in 1817. 
This was the first frame house in town, and was covered with shaved clapboards, 
without any boarding. It was situated on what was afterwards known as the Fogg 
place near J. B. Draper's the now abandoned Moosehorn to Blanchard Road. (The 
Draper Farm was destroyed by fire.) Mr. Doughty raised some crops on his land in 
1817, and built a log house, into which, with a wife and five children, he moved 
in March, 1818. These were the first children in town. Samuel Rowe and wife from 
Hebron came to Monson the same year. In the fall of 1818, James Stanchfield came 
from Albion, and in February 1819, moved with his family into the house built by 
Mr. Bearce. The house he built was the first house built in the east half of 
Monson, or on that part granted to Monson Academy, and the place where, for some 
length of time, the people were accustomed to meet for religious worship and for 
other purposes. This house was used for several years as a dwelling-house, 
meeting-house and school-house. It stood on the spot where Joseph Daine's 
buildings stood in 1872. (Located in the general area opposite the Finn Hall on 
Rt. 15.) In the spring of 1819, Joseph Jackson and wife, with a family of eight 
children, came from No. 7, now Abbot. He had been here the fall before and felled 
some trees on the place occupied by David B. Cotton in 1872 (now Woodlands about 
one-half mile north of the Moosehorns on Rt.15). Here he erected a log house and 
lived several years; after which he moved into the east half of the town, living 
on the farm occupied by H. C. Pullen in 1872 (occupied by Stanwood Pullen in 1972 
and now by his son John Pullen). The same season, Samuel Weymouth, Amos Atkinson 
and Abial Packard came with their families and commenced making homes for 
themselves. Mr. Packard bought Mr. Irish's house, and Mr. Atkinson located on the 
north side of Hebron Pond, this was the first settlement north of the pond . The 
first birth in the town was a child born to Simeon Irish and wife, in the summer 
of 1818. The second was in the family of Samuel Rowe, the next summer; and the 
third was a son of Amos Atkinson, in the autumn of 1819, while they were living 
so far from neighbors, on the north side of the pond. A. Atkinson's child died 
suddenly between the age of two and three months old. In the summer of 1818, the 
trustees of Monson Academy sent Abel Goodell to explore the township, thus to be 
able to recommend to others to come here to find or rather to make themselves 
homes. In the fall of 1819, Capt. Amasa Chapin traded with the trustees of the 
Academy for one mile square of land, in the east half of this town, taking the 
same in part pay for his farm in Monson, Mass. (His home was built on the present 
site of the former Edward Kugler's farm now owned by Robert O'Brien, N. Guilford 
Road.) In May, 1820, Capt. Samuel Whitney, Justin Colton and William A. Hyde, 
with their families, and Calvin Colton and Lucius Hyde, leaving their families 
behind until the next winter, and Royal Day, Austin Newell and Horatio Sherman, 
single men, seventeen in all, came from Monson, Mass., and commenced a 
settlement, where the village now stands and in the southeastern part of the 
town. They left Monson Mass. in April. They were about three weeks on the way, 
and spent the Sabbath, May 7th, at Capt. Chapin's in Abbot, where they left the 
women and children for a few days, coming here on Monday, May 8th. They stopped a 
few days in Mr. Stanchfield's house, and then went to Mr. Atkinson's where they 
found a home until they could clear away the forest sufficiently to build a 
house, which was soon ready for their reception. This house stood on the spot 
where H. G. Sherman's house stood in 1872 (now owned by Norman Berthiaume, former 
Louise Grover's, home) and was the first house in the village and the second 
framed house in town. It was the home of Capt. Whitney as long as he was a 
resident of this town, and for several years was a temporary home for quite a 
number of other families, they stopping here until they could construct some sort 
of house for themselves. In the winter and spring of 1822 and 1823, no less than 
five families found a home in this house at the same time. These were the 
families of Samuel Whitney, James Whiting, William A. Hyde, Lucius Hyde, and this 
in a house twenty-two feet by thirty and unfinished. In this house, the first 
birth in the east half of the town, and the first in the families from 
Massachusetts after their arrival here, occurred on the first day of January, 
1821. This was a daughter to William A. Hyde and wife. This child was known as 
Mrs. Catherine M. Giddings of Portland in 1872. In the summer of 1820, the dam 
was built across the outlet of the pond, thus flooding the little pond and 
rendering more valuable the water power. At this time, the water power, with one 
mile square of land (lot No. 10) was the property of Whitney, Hyde and Fay. In 
the summer and autumn of 1821, they erected a saw-mill and grist-mill. A second 
grist-mill was built by T. Davee, from Blanchard, in the year of 1841. Mr. Fay 
never came here to live and soon after sold out his interest to Frederic F. 
Gates, who with his family, came here in the spring of 1823 to make a home. Soon 
after this the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Whitney keeping the mills, Mr. 
Gates the northern and Mr. Lucius Hyde the southern part of their tract of land. 
In the spring of 1820, about three weeks after the first emigrants from Monson, 
Mass. arrived, Isaac Tyler came from New Gloucester and started to clear land. On 
March 10, 1822, he and his wife moved into his home. In February, 1822, Andrew 
Cushman and wife with a family of seven children, came from the Town of Oxford. 
Mr. C. had been here the previous year and felled trees. Mr. Cushman's was the 
fifteenth family in town. The same spring. Austin Newell brought his wife, who he 
had returned to Monson, Mass., to marry; and with them came Hiram Vinton. In the 
spring of 1822, there also came from Oxford County, Cyrus Packard, William Bowker 
and Cornelius Barrows. Zibeon Packard came about the same time. Abel Goodell who 
came in 1818 to explore the township, left Monson, Mass., in the spring of 1821. 
Leaving his family in Harmony, he came here and cleared his farm. The next winter 
he moved his family as far as Guilford, where they stayed one year. He was 
considered a resident in this town, voting and holding office in 1822, although 
his family did not arrive here until May, 1823. Although there appears to have 
been but twenty-one voters here in April, 1822, and only twenty-five votes cast 
for Governor in September of the same year, yet upon an old tax list of 1822 
there were names of thirty-two resident taxpayers. The names on that list, not 
already mentioned, are Nathaniel Bennett, Reuben Cushman, Samuel Tobin, George 
Hathaway and Isaac Stone. Hathaway and Stone were young men employed that season 
by Capt. Chapin. The others lived here with their families and probably came in 
1821 or the spring of 1822. In October, l822, James Whiting and family, five in 
all, came from Wrentham, Mass., and lived with Mr. Whitney and Mr. Atkinson, 
until Mr. Whiting could build a house, when they moved on to the place known as 
the Whiting farm (the former Bessie Doble's home on Water Street, house torn down 
in 1984) now the site of the Monson Memorial Park. In the spring of 1823, 
Alexander Greenwood, Esq., who had been employed by the trustees of Hebron 
Academy in 1811, to lot their portion of this township, and afterwards by Monson 
Academy to survey and lot the remainder of the town, moved from Hebron and 
settled on the land formerly known as the Watson farm and located beyond the R. 
Mathews' farm. (Note: the Watson Farm was owned by Andrew Sophrer of Dexter in 
1972, house burned in 1973) In the same summer Samuel Robinson, Zenas Scales 
,Abel Janes and Daniel Wallace came and settled in this town. In October of the 
same year Joseph Goodell and Dr. A. Davison came from Vermont. Mr. Goodell lived 
on the present site of Lloyd Kelley's home and orchards and Mr. Davison moved 
into Dea. Hyde's house, which had been built that summer. This house belonged to 
J.P. Haynes in 1872 and was the second house built in the village. Here Dr. 
Davison lived until 1825, in the summer he built the house which is the former 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Finley (now the residence of Richard Finley) on Center 
St. and moved into it in the autumn. Sometime during this year Samuel and Zebedee 
Thomas and John Packard settled in the west part of town. Daniel Briggs also came 
the same year. In 1824, William Connor, Simeon Davee, John Crafts, Solomon 
Cushman, John Morton and Oliver Eveleth, became residents of this town. In 1826, 
no less than nine men, most of them having families, moved into town. They were 
Capt. J. Mathews, R. K. Packard, Joseph Barrett, Roland Taylor, Warren Dudley, 
Joshua Buck, David Goodell, Benjamin Ward and John P. Packard. In 1827 came 
Joseph Booth, H. G. O. Harmon, George Dunham, William Goding and Abel Jewett. In 
1828, Abner Brown, William D. Hoar, Milton Hoar, Thomas Towns and Solomon Bray. 
Mr. Bray probably had the largest family ever living in this town, fourteen 
children, seven sons and seven daughters, all of whom lived to be men and women.


MONSON POST OFFICE:

In the year 1824 or 1825, the Post Office in this town was established. Before 
this, all the mail matter designated for this place stopped at Sangerville, and 
the inhabitants were obliged to go twelve miles to mail or to receive a letter or 
paper. Frederic F. Gates was the first post master and Hiram Doughty the first 
mail carrier. Mr. D. was succeeded, in a short time, by Benjamin Stanchfield, who 
every Saturday for two years, went on foot to Esq. Kelsey's in Guilford, 
returning in the same day, with the mail, and being obliged to cross the 
Piscataquis River twice each way - in the best manner he could for there was no 
bridge - in order to leave the mail at the Post Office in Abbot. For this service 
the government paid these men two shillings a trip, or a little more than one 
cent for each mile of travel. They usually had some errands to do for the 
inhabitants, for which they received some trifling compensation. As they 
approached the Post Office, and sometimes as they passed the houses, they sounded 
a trumpet before them to inform the people that the mail was coming, and that 
there was an opportunity for any one who wished to send errands. In 1827, the 
mail was carried by Deacon Fuller from Bangor to Monson, once a week; and in 1831 
mail arrived in Monson three times a week. After 1883 Monson had mail twice daily 
except on weekends. On February 6, 1960, the new metro system was introduced and 
mail arrives at 8 :00 A.M. and leaves at 5 :00 P.M. daily except Sundays. The 
Postmaster was chosen according to the political party in power to which he 
belonged. This no longer applies as it is a civil service position. The Post 
Office has been housed in several buildings in town: 1882, the former C. Bickford 
home, presently owned by C. Harrington of Abbot; 1889, former Monson Light and 
Power Co. Block; now owned by Bett Stevens 1910-1911 the former T. Moore Block; 
now owned by J & J Development; 1912 former Monson Variety Store; building torn 
down in 1986; 1940's moved to the T. Moore Block now owned by J. & J. 
Development. The former Monson Variety Store (owned by E. Jorgensen in 1972) and 
the former G. Vainio Building were purchased by Terris Moore and torn down in 
1986 to make room for the construction of the new post office building owned by 
William Holland of Shirley. The land was leased from T. Moore until purchased by 
Holland in 1995. Postmasters: Frederick F. Gates (1824), John H. Eveleth (1833), 
Oliver Eveleth (1834), James Bell (1840), Peabody H. Rice (1841), Alexander G. 
Houston (1845), Jonathan H. Pullen (1850), Alexander G. Houston (1853), Edwin R. 
Haynes (1864), Charles M. Coombs (1885), Albert W. Chapin (1887), Charles W. 
Folson (1889), Albert W. Chapin (1893), Roy M. Hescock (1905), Alner Gilbert 
(1913), Edward Johnson (1922), John Harvey Gilbert (1935), Harland E. Johnson 
(1949), Erma Johnson Small 1960, Dagmar Greenleaf (1973), Richard Hunt (1989) of 
Dexter is the present postmaster. Partial list of part time employees: Sarah 
Davidson, Neola Jacobson, Eloise Stevens, Dagmar Greenleaf, Glenda Brown Smith, 
Mary Witmer and Cindi Annis. (Note of Interest -The shed now attached to the 
present home of Paul Allen on Garage St. was built on Main St. after the fire of 
1911. It was used temporarily as a drug store and post office.)


FIRST ELECTRICITY IN MONSON:

On January 25, 1908, Monson had its first electricity. The power was generated 
right here in Monson by using water power from Lake Hebron. Later, when the water 
couldn't generate enough power for the Monson, Maine Slate Co. to run their 
machines, they purchased the power from Greenville which was generated at Wilson 
Pond. Monson Light and Power Co. was incorporated in December of 1907, with the 
Monson, Maine Slate Co. owning all the stock. In June of 1944 Francis Marshall 
bought all the stock of the Monson Light and Power Co. from the Slate Co. and 
bought the electricity wholesale from Central Maine Power Co. Then in June of 
1964, Central Maine Power took over the distribution facilities in the town.


FIRST TELEPHONES IN MONSON:

There are no records to confirm this statement, but it was said that the first 
telephones in Monson, were at the Monson, Maine Slate Co. Quarry and quarry 
offices, and that it just "grew like Topsy" from that time on. Mr. Fred Crane was 
superintendent of the Monson Slate Co. at that time, and he took over the 
telephone business and carried it on as a private enterprise as long as he lived, 
although it was never a paying proposition. The Southeast Monson Telephone Co., 
more commonly known as the "Farmers Line" was formed by the residents in the 
southeast part of Monson and was connected to the outside through Fred Crane's 
Co. The telephone business was sold in 1946 to the New England Telephone Co. 
which established a nice telephone office in Monson in the present Russell 
Carlson building (former Donald Keene block -1972 used as a barber shop) and 
employed several people at the time. On July 28, 1955, Monson went onto the dial 
system at 12:01 a.m. and from that time on operators were no longer needed. In 
1972, Monson could not dial direct as could many of the other cities and towns, 
but was in hopes of being able to do so in the near future. At the present time, 
Monson residents can now dial direct within the state using only the seven digit 
numbers; dial direct outside the state by dialing "1" and the state's area code. 
Emergency calls are received and dispatched by the Dover-Foxcroft Sheriff's 
office by dialing 911. Telephone service was provided by NYNEX (former New 
England Telephone) until Sept. 1997, now Bell Atlantic. Several long distance 
services are available as follows: AT&T, Sprint, Excel, MCI etc.


MONSON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY:

January 16, 1909, seven citizens of Monson petitioned the State expressing their 
desire to be incorporated under the provisions of Chapter 57 of the Revised 
Statutes of 1903 and amendments and maintaining a free public library. February 
4, 1909, a certificate of organization of the Monson Free Public Library 
Association was filed in the office of the Secretary of State at Augusta, and 
said organization was duly notified. The first books purchased were books written 
by Stevenson, Harte, Dickens and history books, numbering 90 in all. By Feb. 6, 
1910, the library had 636 books. In 1947, the Woman's Club of Monson appointed a 
committee to work with one of the State Librarians discarding all outdated books. 
At this time, the library was completely redecorated and the books catalogued 
according to the Dewey Decimal System. It was located at this time in what is now 
the Monson's Historical Museum. On April 19, 1969, the library moved into its new 
home in the new municipal building in back of the town office. The complete 
interior facilities were donated by the Moosehead Mfg. Co. In 1972, the library 
contained approximately 5000 volumes with Miss Vivienne Bray serving as 
Librarian; Mrs. Van Wentworth and Mrs. Mary Williams, Assistant Librarians. Mary 
Williams served as Librarian between 1973-1978. Today the library houses nearly 
8000 volumes with Van Wentworth serving as Librarian since 1979. In the spring of 
1997, the library received a free computer through an AT&T special offer and it 
was connected to the Internet in September of this year.


MONSON SCHOOLS

The early settlers were very anxious for their children to be educated and the 
very first schools were held in private homes, this being before the town was 
incorporated. In 1823, a schoolhouse was erected near the center of the town. 
Traveling conditions being very difficult, it soon became necessary to have 
neighborhood schools. In 1827-28, a school was built in the Day District, and by 
1848, there were schools in various localities. There were eight rural school 
houses, those being: (1) Old Burma School - Located on Blanchard Road, abandoned 
1906. This building no longer stands. (2) New Burma School - Located on the 
Blanchard Road, opened in the spring of 1906. This building still stands and is 
privately owned and known as the Wagon Wheels camp. (3) New Long District School 
- Located on the Monson-Guilford road. Presently known as the Finn Hall and is 
still used by the Finnish Farmers Club. This one was still being used in 1907. 
(4) North Neighborhood School - Located by Drakes Corner, Elliottsville Road near 
the (former Esmond Richardson's) Richard & Carol Ward home. This building has 
tumbled down. (5) Vinton School House - Located at the corner of the Willimantic 
and S.E. Monson Roads. This building was moved to its present location across 
from Charles Strom's home in Southeast Monson in 1921. This is the original 
building and has never been used for anything but a schoolhouse. (6) Red School 
House - Located on N. Guilford Road below Day's Crossing and Southeast Monson 
Road. This building is now gone. (7) Barrows Falls School - Located between 
Blanchard and Barrows Falls. This building was in use in 1906-07, but is now 
gone. (8) Old Long District School - Located on the Route 15 near Ladd Brook 
below Belva Nelson's house. Building now gone. Monson Elementary School - The 
first grammar school building called "Old Schoolhouse" was built in 1867 and 
located between Monson Academy and the Church Cemetery. This building burned 
March 31, 1899. The new grammar school was rebuilt on the site of the present 
Elementary School. This school being centrally located made it possible to 
transport boys and girls to the village by bus. The District schools were closed 
by 1939. The Monson Elementary building was torn down and a new one built in 
1982. A new addition was added in 1994. Monson Academy owes its birth to private 
enterprise. There was a group of people who were determined that the boys and 
girls of this little hamlet should have all the advantages of the times. This 
group was made up of fifty-four citizens who were later named as "corporators". 
The corporators proved their eagerness for an institution of higher learning by 
subscribing $1,000.00 for the purpose of establishing an Academy for the 
education and improvement of youth. A committee of three petitioned the 
Legislature for its incorporation June 14,1847, and the act of incorporation was 
approved by Gov. John W. Dana, and can be found in Chapter 62 of the Acts of that 
year. The corporate name was "Stockholders of Monson Academy", each subscriber 
holding a number of shares corresponding to his subscription. The "corporators" 
met for organization at "Centre School House" in Monson on Sept. 4, 1847. Dr. 
Alpheus Davison was chosen chairman and Ephriam Flint, Clerk. On Sept. 18, 1847 
the following were chosen: Lucius Bradford, Pres.; Zenas Scales, V. Pres.; 
Ephriam Flint, Clerk and Aretus Chapin, Treas., with fifteen trustees. The 
building was erected by Joseph Lombard, for $935.51, the total cost including a 
heating system being $1,0l4.87. The building was dedicated Aug. 28, 1848. The 
Legislature granted the institution a half township, which was sold Dec. 2, 1852, 
for $3,000.00. For several years the sum constituted the entire endowment of the 
Academy. The original building was two stories high measuring 37 by 40 feet with 
the school on the ground floor and the hall above being used for a recreation 
room and for concerts, lectures and other public purposes. The Academy had a 
small, well-selected library. Monson Academy was incorporated on July 26, 1847. 
The first session of school was held in the fall of 1848 with 106 persons in 
attendance. March 1860, the Academy was burned to the ground. Reconstruction was 
started immediately and the framework of this structure measuring 37 by 56 feet 
was still uncovered when fire again selected Monson as its victim, destroying the 
greater part of the village. In spite of all obstacles the stalwart people of 
Monson finished building the Academy in 1860. The 1861 Legislature granted Monson 
Academy one fourth of a township in Aroostook County, which the trustees sold 
Jan. 24, 1864, to George K. Jewett of Bangor, for $2,000.00. The interior of the 
building was finished on the strength of this grant. The first session of school 
was held in the new Academy in 1861, and continued under the direction of the 
trustees until 1872, when the Academy united with the High School in exchange for 
a grant made by the town for this purpose. The Academy was then governed by the 
trustees and the school committee. On July 1, 1892, the first floor of the 
Academy was made into two school rooms and the high school was calcimined. On 
January 2, 1901, the Academy was made free for the students of Monson Village. On 
January 16, 1908, arrangements for a laboratory were made. March 16, 1922, 
$100.00 was spent for installing electric lights for the Academy. February 27, 
1924, $3,000.00 was spent remodeling the Academy. The Academy celebrated its one 
hundredth birthday in the summer of 1947. The same building was used with slight 
changes in remodeling the inside with up-to-date heating, lighting and plumbing 
facilities until 1968, when the Academy consolidated with School Administrative 
District No. 68. The Academy Building was remodeled to house the grades from 
Kindergarten thru the sixth grade. A few years later the sixth graders joined the 
seventh thru twelfth grades in traveling to Dover-Foxcroft by bus to attend 
Sedomocha Junior High School and Foxcroft Academy. The Monson Academy building 
was torn down in 1984. A gymnasium was one of Monson's big needs for a great many 
years. In 1940 & 1941, the Monson Community Hall fund was organized and a 
campaign was launched to raise $20,000. By August of 1941, $4,600.00 in cash and 
50,000 feet of lumber had been donated. The plan was to have a wooden building 
with a slate roof. When $10,000.00 was on hand the building would be started. 
Before the end of the year, World War II disrupted all the plans. A few donations 
continued to come in and the local organizations and school classes continued to 
make annual contributions. All organized campaigns were suspended for the next 
five years. A Monson Academy Alumni Association was organized in June of 1947. 
The first meeting for organization was held at the Masonic Hall June 13, 1947 
with Esther Pennington acting as Chairman of organization for the Alumni 
Association. At that meeting the following were chosen as officers: Pres. - 
Stanwood Pullen; V.-Pres. -Harland Johnson; Sec.- Eloise Stevens and Oswald Poole 
as Treasurer. Prior to this meeting the by-laws for the association were written 
by Millard Emanuelson as early as 1937. This group decided to back the Gym 
project. There was $16,000. in the treasury, and the Alumni Association hoped to 
double the amount. The project was known as the Monson Gym Fund from that time 
on. The steady rise in cost of materials and labor made the original type of 
building beyond reach. It was decided to have a pre-fabricated type of aluminum 
building. The sum of $22,437.50 was needed to have an outlined building with 
foundation, walls and insulation. The structure was started and once more an 
appeal was made for subscriptions. The response was generous, but there was only 
enough funds to carry on work for a few months. At the town meeting on March 11, 
1950, the town voted to borrow the sum of ten thousand dollars for the completion 
of the Monson Gym and the same to be paid back by the Alumni Association in ten 
notes, with each one being for a thousand dollars plus interest. The same year 
monthly committees were appointed to raise at least $100.00 a month. The 
enthusiasm with which these committees worked is a credit to any community. For 
five years there was a project every single month in this little town of less 
than one thousand persons and very seldom did a committee fail to raise the 
minimum, in many cases going way above the hundred dollar mark. In March, 1951, 
Monson had the honor of having the late Harland Ladd, then State Commissioner of 
Education, dedicate the new Gym. The last note on the Gym was paid June 13, 1955, 
and the note burned with fitting ceremony at the Alumni Banquet June 24, 1955. At 
one time, the seventh and eighth grades sold refreshments at recess time under 
the supervision of the late Pete Gattrell, to earn money to add to the sum of two 
thousand dollars to buy stage curtains, chairs, bleachers. showers and other 
necessities. Since the formation of the Monson Academy Alumni Association, the 
organization sponsored the annual "Sports Banquet" until consolidation with 
S.A.D. No.68. However, it still continues to hold its Alumni Banquet's in the 
Monson Gym each year on the third Saturday of July. The Association awards 
scholarships each year to Monson students attending Foxcroft Academy. The Monson 
students who graduate from Foxcroft Academy automatically become members of the 
Monson Academy Alumni Association.


DISTRICT SCHOOLS


North Neighborhood School Vinton District School (Building Gone) (Privately 
owned)


Old Burma School New Burma School (Building Gone) (Privately owned)


Long District School Red School House (Present Finnish Farmers Hall) (Building 
Gone)


MONSON SCHOOLS & GYMNASIUM


1972- Monson Schools & Gym Monson Academy and Old Grammar School (Old Photo)


1997 - Elementary School, Gymnasium & Bandstand


MONSON'S CHURCHES


Congregational Church Rev. Douglas P. Brayton Main St. - (Old Photo) 1972


Baptist Church - Pleasant Street Baptist Church - Pleasant Street Before 
Renovations (Old Photo) After Renovations (Old Photo)


Pastor Daryl Witmer Monson Community Church - Main Street 1997


Community Church Parsonage Center Street (Former Baptist Parsonage)


Swedish Lutheran Church 1997 - Good Samaritan Mission Wilkins Street Wilkins 
Street


Swedish Methodist Church Water Street Burned - Feb. 16, 1982


Rev. Mark Arbisi Monson United Church of Christ North Guilford Road - 1997


Monson United Church of Christ Parsonage - North Guilford Rd. 1997


MONSON'S CHURCHES

In May, 1820, a colony came from Monson, Mass. These were men of character and 
influence, men who had provided well for their families and who were determined 
to maintain the same high standard in this new sparsely-settled town. On their 
first Sunday after their arrival, they had a meeting for religious worship in the 
house built by Mr. Bearce. As far as anyone can trace, this was the first service 
held in Monson for the purpose of worship with the exception of two funerals. 
Arrangements were made to have religious services for the first Sunday in June at 
Mr. Abiel Packard's house, being more centrally located for Monson people and for 
the families who had settled at Million Acres, now Blanchard. The next Sabbath, 
they met again at the same place and also organized a Sabbath School. Services 
were held here for the rest of the summer. For the next two years all worship 
services were held in the home of James Stanchfield. By this time a schoolhouse 
had been built in the center of the town, and public worship was held there until 
a church building could be erected.

MONSON CONGREGATIONAL AND BAPTIST CHURCHES: In August, 1821, Rev. John Sawyer 
visited Monson, and a Congregational Church was formed consisting of seven 
members. It was not until Nov. 1824, that Rev. Lot Ryder came to be the regular 
minister and was ordained in the barn of Capt. S. Whitney. In 1831, the first 
church building north of Bangor was erected and was dedicated as a Congregational 
Church. This church, which was framed by R. K. Packard, and was the first 
building framed by the square rule, was destroyed by fire in 1860, and rebuilt 
the following year. The Rev. Anson Hubbard was minister at the time. August 10, 
1827, marked the founding of the Baptist Church in Monson, with 14 members. The 
Baptist meeting house was erected in 1845, during the ministry of the first 
regular minister, Rev. Lebbens Kingman. Slating of the roof of Baptist Church was 
completed on August 23, 1884. During the pastorate of the Rev. Joseph Grossa, 
(1918-1924) the church was remodeled, being raised two feet with a concrete 
sub-foundation and a back upper foundation. A furnace, the gift of Mrs. Brown 
Steward, was installed in the basement and the old-fashioned pews were replaced 
by new ones. The old windows were replaced by lovely stained glass memorial 
windows. A vestibule was built onto the front of the building with one large 
entrance. The belfry and steeple were raised and the church was redecorated 
inside and out. The Baptist and Congregational Church began holding united 
services in 1933. Church was held in the summer for six months in the Baptist 
Church, and in the Congregational Church in the winter of the remaining six 
months, with the Rev. Martin Sorenson officiating. On June 26, 1957, by a vote of 
8-7, a decision was made to move the Baptist Church from its location on Pleasant 
(Church) Street and physically join it to the Congregational church building, 
thus forming the Monson Community Church. In May, 1958, a building fund campaign 
was launched to finance the joining of the two churches. By late November of that 
year the new foundation for the Baptist Church at the Congregational Church site 
on Main Street was completed. The church, minus its steeple, was on skids ready 
to be moved. Donations and sales during the year had made this possible. The 
actual move, however, was delayed by circumstances until August 14, 1959. On that 
historic day the two churches finally merged their buildings into one well 
designed structure on Main Street (now Greenville Road). The Rev. Donald F. 
Blanchette was pastor at the time. The church members who helped to make the 
merger possible were: George (Bill) Wentworth, Record Pullen, Mrs. John Durham, 
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Knight, Mrs. Clifton Weymouth, Miss Vivienne Bray, Mrs. Arvid 
Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood Johnson. One year later, to the day, on August 
14, 1960, the new sanctuary was dedicated. Rev. William R. Huber was minister at 
the time of this dedication. The lights in the steeple were given in memory of 
Samuel Pennington by Mrs. Esther Pennington. On August 20, 1961, Dr. Charles 
Gilky dedicated the pulpit in the sanctuary in memory of Dr. Shailer Mathews. In 
the summer of 1960, plans were made to make the Congregational Church Building 
into an Educational Building with three classrooms, a lounge, and restroom 
downstairs with an auditorium upstairs. $1,000.00 was left to the church by Mrs. 
Sarah Huff. This money was the "starter" for the Educational Building. The 
Committee borrowed $3,000.00 from the Guilford Trust Company and the carpenter, 
Mr. Clarence Case, started the work. In March of 1961, the Educational Building 
was dedicated, and the United Circle donated the lounge chairs to the church. 
Water and rest room facilities were installed in 1962. In 1963, the final payment 
on the $3,000.00 note was made. In the fall of 1966, the Monson Community Church 
joined with the Sangerville and Abbot Churches and formed the S.A.M. Larger 
Parish. Before this the Churches could not afford to hire a full time minister 
and relied on inexperienced students who could only stay for short periods of 
time. After forming, they were able to hire Rev. Douglas Brayton as full time 
minister devoting his time equally between the three churches. The S.A.M. stands 
for Sangerville, Abbot and Monson. 1971 brought the completion of the kitchen and 
dining room area, giving the various church and town organizations a place to 
hold their activities. In June of 1975, the Monson Community Church voted to call 
Daryl E. Witmer as pastor who began his ministry in Monson in September of 1975. 
He was subsequently ordained by the S.A.M. Larger Parish and a Vicinage Council, 
in the Monson Church, on April 28, 1979. His strong evangelical emphasis 
represented a significant shift in the theological direction of the Monson 
Community Church. By the early 1980's affliliation with the UCC was essentially 
discontinued. During Rev. Witmer's pastorate, the three Monson Community Church 
constituencies (Congregational, Baptist, and Community) were consolidated into 
one membership. Rev. Witmer's pastoral ministry in Monson (1975-present) is, to 
date, the longest in Monson church history. In the fall of 1976, the Monson 
Community Church steeple was hit by lightening, rebuilt by Moosehead 
Manufacturing and replaced by crane. On January 7, 1982, the Monson Community 
Church was officially incorporated with the State of Maine. In August of 1986, 
the Congregational Society of Monson voted to disband, deeding all property to 
the Monson Community Church. March 10, 1989, the American Baptist Convention of 
Maine (ABCOM) deeds the old Baptist Parsonage to the Monson Baptist Society, and 
all official ties with ABCOM were terminated. The Educational wing was 
refurbished in the early 1990's. A church newsletter, The Compass, was mailed to 
all town residents on a quarterly basis, and a community luncheon was hosted at 
the church for many years. May of 1991, the Abbot church calls a full-time pastor 
and the yoke with Monson is dissolved. September 29, 1996, the Baptist Church and 
Society of Monson votes to transfer all property (land and buildings) to the 
Monson Community Church, but not to disband. The Congregational Parsonage was 
located between the homes presently owned by Charles Brown and Dagmar Greenleaf 
on South Main St. In 1972 this building was owned by D. Luce. The present owner 
is Evelyn Buzzell. It was known as the Monson Chapel of the Harvey Funeral Home 
until the Spring of 1997.


SWEDISH LUTHERAN CHURCH: It was about 1874-1875, that the Swedish people began 
coming to Monson, most of them working in the slate quarries. The Swedish people 
did not understand the language of this country, and wanting to worship God in 
their own tongue, they built a Swedish Mission Church in 1890. Some of the 
members of this church were Lutheran, which is the State Church of Sweden, and 
some held other beliefs. There was a break in the organization, and in 1892 the 
Swedish Methodist Church was built. (See below for update on Swedish Methodist 
Church) From that time on the Swedish Mission Church was known as the Swedish 
Lutheran Church. Both Churches had Swedish ministers and conducted their services 
in their native tongue. There were services in these churches for many years. The 
Saturday night Church suppers which were held in the members homes were very 
popular. The Swedish Lutheran Church on Wilkins Street was sold to the American 
Legion in 1946 and converted into a Legion Hall. On Dec. 8, 1970, the American 
Legion sold the hall. While under private ownership it was used as a private 
residence, a hostel for Appalachian Trail Hikers (known as the Old Church), 
Areopagus II America and since 1996 a Good Samaritan Mission. AREOPAGUS II 
AMERICA: AIIA was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1991. Executive 
Director and Founder - Daryl E. Witmer. GOOD SAMARITAN MISSION: Located in the 
old Swedish Lutheran Church building on the corner of Hebron Street and Wilkins 
Street. Organized as a non-profit corporation in 1991. The ministry is in part, 
patterned after the well-known Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, Illinois. 
Superintendent Joe and Mona Pensiero. Services offered are as follows: Chapel 
Sanctuary & Resource Center Food Pantry/Clothes Closet Emergency overnight 
shelter and transportation Film Ministry Visitation Ministry Practical and 
Biblical Counsel Chapel Service and hot meal - Sundays at 3 pm

SWEDISH METHODIST CHURCH: The Swedish Methodist Church was sold in May of 1947, 
to the New England District Council of the Assembly of God Churches. The pastor 
at the time was Velora Boyer. The church is located on Water Street, and in 1972 
was known as the Open-Door Full Gospel Church. The Church was destroyed by fire 
in February, 1982. The town purchased the church lot in 1986 from the Charleston 
Faith School of Theology. It now is the site of the town's skating rink and 
Memorial Park.

UNIVERSALIST HISTORY: There were a few Universalist people in town in 1884. A 
parish was organized, and a few services were held. A Ladies Circle was 
organized, and a fund raised which was turned over to the Universalist State 
Convention, held in trust for Universalist work in Monson.

MONSON UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST: The Monson United Church of Christ on the No. 
Guilford Road, known as "the church on the hill", was founded in July 1982. 
Fifteen people, three UCC ministers, and Neil Seifert, a Seminary student, and 
his wife Sally, met for the first time at the Municipal Building. This small 
group was officially recognized in October, and were allowed to meet in the 
multi-purpose room in the new elementary school for eighteen months. In May, 
1983, the church as incorporated as a local independent church, elected officers, 
Deacons, and Elders, and wrote a constitution and by-laws. During the summer, one 
of the Deacons donated a parcel of land, and construction of the present church 
was started. By December of 1984, it was possible to hold services in the 
basement. Over 200 people attended a formal dedication in August of 1995. Neil 
Seifert graduated from the Seminary in 1986, and moved on to Pennsylvania, and a 
number of interim pastors filled the pulpit. Ed Stigen, a student at the 
Seminary, was called in February, 1987. In September of that year, the rest of 
the property, consisting of a house, barn, and 17 acres came on the market and 
was purchased by the Monson UCC for a parsonage. Five months of repair and 
remodeling by volunteers made the house livable and the Stigen Family moved in. 
Monson UCC and Brownville UCC yoked in order to share the expenses of a full time 
pastor. March of 1992 found the newly ordained Ed Stigen and his family moving 
back to Wisconsin, and the yoke was broken. Robert Morris, another Seminary 
student, took over the pulpit in July of 1992, and moved on to ordination and the 
Hampden UCC in July of 1994. Another student was installed in the pulpit in 
August of 1994, but William Moss was unable to secure his license in a timely 
fashion, and was asked to terminate his association with the Monson UCC. From 
February to October, 1995, the Reverend Ed Jones served as interim minister. The 
church called Mark Arbisi, a senior at the Seminary, to be pastor in November, 
1995. Mr. Arbisi was ordained in April 1997 at the Monson UCC. The church works 
regularly with FEMA in the area, maintains a food cupboard, sponsors a five year 
old African boy, donates to state and national mission projects. The Monson UCC 
keeps its doors open to all Gods' children, welcomes everyone through those 
doors, and hopes that all will find that for which they seek.

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS PAST & PRESENT Monson Community Church 1972 In-active 1972 
Active Stella Grace Philathea Youth Fellowship Baptist Circle United Circle 
Congregational Circle Margaret-Lister Philathea Entre Nous Club Swedish Mission 
Circles Note: 1997 - All organizations listed above are now inactive

Monson United Church of Christ 1997 - Active Church Organizations Monson UCC 
Guild

SPECIAL NOTE: A special 36-page Monson Church History Sunday booklet was compiled 
and published by the Monson Community Church in conjunction with Monson's 175th 
anniversary celebration. It included various addresses, articles, updates, and 
photos of many Monson ministers through the years.

MONSON MINISTERS

Monson Congregational pastors: Lot Ryder, 1824-25; Anson Hubbard, 1827-34; John 
Baker 1835-39; Horatio Ilsley, 1840-55; R. W. Emerson, 1856-58; H. S. Loring, 
1862-67; A. H. Tyler, 1870-77; G. W. Jones, 1878-80; J. B. Haines, 1880-82; 
William G. Mann, 1882-87; R. W. Emerson, 1893; H. A. Freeman, 1893-96; G. B. 
Hescock, 1898-1902; Raymond A. Fowles, 1903-04; Charles Bodewell, 1904-05; Henry 
W. Conley, 1905-07; William Taylor, 1908-09; R. Barrow, 1910-12; Deyo, 1912-14; 
Thomas Day, 1914-1920; E. V. R. Hood, 1920-21; Thomas Cornish, 1921-24; McRea, 
1924-25; William Nicholas, 1925-31 and W. E. Davies, 1931-33.

Monson Baptist pastors: Lebbens Kingman, 1842-45; Lucius Bradford, 1845-51; 
Dudley P. Bailey, 1852-70; William S. Knowlton 1872-75; Fred F. Bickwell, 
1876-78; Edwin C. Long, 1879-83; F. R. Locke, 1885-86; Alfred Chipman, 1886-87; 
Charles Whitcomb, 1887-89; F. R. Locke, 1889-91; Samuel Pendleton, 1892-93; 
Stephen Fletcher, 1893-96; Henry Raymond, 1897-99; Henry C. Speed, 1899-1905; 
Ephraim S. Drew, 1905-08; T. Ernest Ham, 1909-15; George Chambers, 1917-18; 
Joseph Grossa, 1918-24; H. S. Philpot, 1925-26 and E. A. Rockwell, 1928-32.

Monson pastors serving Congregational & Baptist churches with combined services: 
W. Martin Sorensen, 1934-38; Anson Williams, 1939-41; Emil Ahokas, 1941-43; Ruth 
Jackson, 1943-48; Gard L. Rowe, 1948-51; Karl Lund, 1952-54 and Harold L. 
Sheppard, 1954-58

Monson Community Church pastors: Donald F. Blanchette, 1958-60; William R. Huber, 
1960-63; Everett Waite, 1963-65; George R. Castillo, 1966-67; Douglas P. Brayton, 
1967-1975; Gene W. Laramy, Summer of 1968 and Daryl E. Witmer, 1975-present (97)

Swedish Free Mission & Swedish Lutheran pastors: Rev. Ockbloom, Rev. Darvid 
Anderson, Rev. Peterson, Rev. Hogberg, Rev. Anders Anderson, Rev. Ahlberg, Rev. 
Zeterholm, Rev. Hagland and Rev. C.P. Edlund (-1913) left to work in Portland

Swedish Methodist pastors: Rev. Svanti Moody, Rev. Harold Boivie, Rev. Hartiwig, 
Rev. Emil Rydstrom, Rev. Peter Frost, Rev. Hagberg, Rev. Nelson, Rev. Otto 
Anderson, Rev. Holmberg and Rev. Salleen.

Open Door Full Gospel & Water Street Pentecostal Church pastors: George Flower, 
1945; Albert Boyer, 1947; John Palmer, 1953-59; Rev. Wilson, Millard Dickinson, 
1962-63; Jean Carter & Alice Lucas. 1971-73 and Kathy Gardiner & Celia Rodriguez, 
19??-1983

Monson United Church of Christ pastors: Neil Siefert, July, 1982 - Spring, 1986; 
Ed Stigen, February, 1987 - March, 1992; Robert Morris, July, 1992 - July, 1994; 
Bill Moss, August, 1994 December, 1994; Ed Jones, February, 1995 - Oct 1995; Mark 
Arbisi, November, 1995 - present (97).


BUSINESS HISTORY

The first store in town was opened in 1825, belonging to Oliver Eveleth. Later 
that same year Solomon Cushman opened a store. They remained the only two traders 
until 1830, when T. S. Pullen from Winthrop came to Monson and started his own 
trade. From that time on Monson's businesses have continued to grow. After the 
fire of 1860, Mr. Aretas Chapin, son of one of the early settlers, constructed a 
hotel holding fast to all the principles of Temperance. This hotel was burned in 
1882. In 1886, Monson had a Refrigerator and Butter Box Factory on the second 
floor of the Grist Mill on Water Street. The wooden boxes were lined with slate, 
the theory being that slate kept out heat and retained the cold. The project was 
not a success.

SLATE QUARRIES:

The summer of 1870 is a date that changed the pattern of living for the 
inhabitants of Monson. As William Giffith Jones was driving his horse along and 
gazing at the countryside, suddenly he saw slate. Mr. Jones, having come from 
Wales, knew slate and its commercial value. Bill bought the land from a hotel 
keeper and started the development of the first slate quarry in Monson within a 
few days. The first slate quarry was called the "Eureka" which means, "we have 
found it". Thus started the industry that was to be the main source of livelihood 
for Monson's inhabitants for many years to come. The next quarry to be opened was 
called "Hebron Pond". This was operated by a Mr. Chapin. A year afterwards it was 
sold to Henry Carter and the quarry was afterwards called "Carter Quarry". In 
1872, the "Norris Quarry" opened and was operated by Mr. Norris. He was the first 
man to install steam power. The buildings burned in 1877. 1873 - Fred Jackson 
founded the Cove Quarry in which the machinery of the Norris Quarry was 
installed. Also that same year the "Dirigo" was opened and operated by Dexter and 
Portland companies. 1874 - Forest Quarry opened and operated by Salem parties. 
1877 - Oakland Quarry opened and operated by John Tripp. The Monson-Maine Quarry 
was in operation in 1880 by Allen Williams and abandoned in 1943. 1882 - Kineo 
Quarry - operated by outside parties. 1882 - Burmah Quarry. 1870-1875 - 
Underground Quarry - operated Charles Folsom. 1895 - "West Monson" - operated by 
W. M. Jones 1902 - Mathews Quarry- operated by Mr. Mathews 1906 - Portland-Monson 
Quarry. 1910 - "Farm Quarry" and Wilkins Quarry. 1919 - "Eighteen Quarry" - 
abandoned around 1922 There were many quarries opened besides the ones already 
mentioned. These quarries received their names either from the people who owned 
or commenced operation of same or from the section of town where a new pit was 
opened for mining. There are two veins of slate which run from east and west and 
extend two miles or more through the Town of Monson or perhaps further. One vein 
is nine feet wide, the other vein is thirteen feet wide, both descend into the 
earth to an unknown depth. The Quarries had many ups and downs. In 1922, there 
were three in operation - PortlandMonson, Monson-Maine Slate and the General 
Slate Co.'s. Eventually, the Portland-Monson Slate Co. owned almost all of the 
pits or quarries located on the nine foot vein. Its mills and office are located 
on the east side of the No. Guilford Road. Quarries located on the West side of 
North Guilford Road: Hillside Quarry and mills, Cora Roberts pit, Shaft with 
tunnel (no name) Quarry located on the West side of Route 15 towards Abbot: West 
Monson Quarry Quarries located off the Degerstrom Road: Burmah Quarry & Wilkins 
Quarry Quarries located on the East side of N. Guilford Road: No. 1 (opened by 
Fred Wilkins); No. 2; No. 3; No. 4. Quarries located on Right side of Willimantic 
Road: Farm Quarry (No. 1) and mills Quarries located on Left side of Willimantic 
Road: No. 2 (Shaft, tunnel & Mill Building); No. 3 (with shaft & tunnels); No. 4 
(with shaft & tunnels). The Coleman Family, having the largest shares of stock, 
ran the Portland-Monson Slate Co. until April 1, 1965, when it changed hands. 
It's now privately owned by the Tatko family. Monson slate is considered the 
finest in the world and is particularly famous for its color being black. Monson 
slate is shipped all over the United States and into many foreign countries. A 
couple of the more noted places it can be found is on the flooring of the new 
Monson Town Office. Along with the black slate from Monson, there is a mixture of 
green and red squares from New York and Vermont quarries. The floor of the 
Northeast Bank of Guilford, Maine, also has added the beauty of Monson slate to 
its floors. Monson slate was used as the memorial stones marking the resting 
places of the slain President John F. Kennedy and his two children at the 
Arlington National Cemetery. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' headstone was also made 
by the company in August, 1994. St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City has a 
slate roof made from Monson slate. Portland-Monson Slate Co. changed its name to 
Sheldon Slate Products Co., Inc. on January 1, 1994. The company has two plants, 
one located in Monson, Maine, the other in Middle Granville, New York. John Tatko 
III is the general manager of the Monson plant which employs a small crew. A 
different method of mining the slate began in 1989, called open pit mining. Open 
mining is being used in the old West Monson pit on the Burmah Quarry Co. vein. A 
road is built down into the pit where the slate is removed and hauled to the 
surface by truck. Many of the abandoned open pits owned by the company in Monson 
have been filled with the slate from the rubbish piles. The slate from these 
abandoned old slate rubbish piles is being used in the base of roads. Today new 
technology is being used by the Monson plant to produce specialty items made from 
the Vermont green slate, New York red slate and the Monson black slate. The 
company has two computers which control the machines used in cutting the slate 
from which slate products are finished. All the items made from Monson black 
slate are finished at the Monson plant as well as many of the slate products from 
the New York plant. The following is a list of the speciality items produced: 
electrical circuit panels, slate sinks, counter tops, monuments, structural slate 
and various custom projects. Monson-Maine Slate Co.- located at the end of Chapin 
Ave. became the sole owner of the following pits or quarries located on the 
thirteen foot wide vein: West side of Rt 15-Greenville Road to Pleasant Street: 
Norris Quarry, Eastern Quarry, Dirigo Quarry, Hebron Quarry and Cove Quarry. East 
side of Greenville Rd - Rt. 15: Underground Quarry, Pine Tree Quarry, Eureka 
Quarry, Kineo Quarry, Monson Pond Quarry, Oakland Quarry, and Forest Quarry. 
South of Monson-Maine Slate Quarry Mills (now Moosehead Mfg.): Phillips Quarry or 
#17 and Eighteen Quarry. Monson Maine Slate Co. closed in 1943. On August 9, 
1944, an Auction was held under the management of Henry S. Anthony & Co. 
(Auctioneers) of Lowell, Mass. with Samuel A. Anderson, Auctioneer of Guilford, 
Maine. 375 Lots of Machinery and Equipment, Saw Mill with Water Power and 1350 
acres of Timberland were sold. The mills were sold to Moosehead Mfg. Co. in 1947. 
In March, 1983, Monson Maine Slate Co. (subsidiary of the Fletcher Co. of 
Massachusetts) sold the Kineo quarry to the Town of Monson. The town had used the 
abandoned pit for a rubbish dump since the 1940's. The rubbish (landfill) was 
covered and closed in Oct. 1995 and a fence surrounding the pit installed in 
1996. Carl Vainio (Kennedy Slate Co.) purchased the remaining Monson Maine Slate 
Co. land and quarries in May of 1988. Kennedy Slate Co. now sells the slag slate 
from the piles of waste slate for rip rap, road beds, patio and walk ways. Other 
Quarries located in Monson and the area: Located off the Blanchard Road: -Lowell 
Quarry -(opened on the P.M.S. Co. Vein) operated by Monson-Maine Slate -National 
Slate Co. - Blanchard Road -Matthews Quarry with Boarding House - 2 pits Located 
off the Blanchard-Shirley Road: -Moosehead Quarry and a Quarry (name unknown) 
operated by M.M.S. Co. -State of Maine Quarry - Note: Down below this pit was a 
building used to grind the rubbish slate into a product to be used in paint. The 
finished product was shipped on the B&A Train. Located in Willimantic: Leighton 
Quarry operated by Monson-Maine Slate Co. In the 1940's.

MONSON RAILROAD: In the early days transportation was by foot, horseback or a 
team of oxen. Later came the stage from Bangor to Greenville. In 1871, the 
railroad company of Bangor hired a man to survey a road from Guilford to 
Greenville. The road he surveyed would have run between the saw mill and the 
G.A.R. Hall (now Monson's Historical Museum), and through Henry Grover's orchard 
(the former Louise Grover property) now owned by N. Berthiaume. But soon the 
people found out that the Railroad Company had sent a surveyor to survey a road 
following the Piscataquis River from Guilford to Greenville via Blanchard. With 
this misfortune the townspeople later felt that they needed some means of 
transportation. In June, 1883, our little narrow gauge railroad, which was six 
miles long running from Monson to Monson Jtc., came into existence. The 
equipment, which was original or close to it, consisted of two engines, one 
combination car, 28 flat and box cars, one snowplow and one spreader. It was 
commonly known and called the "Two-by-six", being two feet wide by six miles 
long. It can be found in some reference books that the Monson Railroad was 8.16 
miles long when it's only 6.16 miles from Monson to Monson Jct.. However, it was 
necessary to add the extra two miles of tracks going through to Eighteen Quarry 
which was beyond Monson-Maine Quarry. The Monson Railroad was first organized as 
the Monson Railroad Company in 1882 and made its first run in 1883. In 1908 it 
was sold to Monson Maine Slate Co. Francis Marshall purchased the station, land 
and office located on Water Street in 1945. The Monson Maine Slate Co. Railroad 
wasn't official dissolved until 1975. The first two engines number 1 and 2, 
0-4-4-T were Hinckleys and were built in 1882. The next two engines were numbered 
3 and 4. No. 3 0-4-4-T was built by the Vulcan Iron Works in 1912 as was No. 4 
0-4-4-T which was built in 1918. The latter two were nearly identical except that 
No. 3 had one stirrup to lift you up into the cab whereas No. 4 had a double 
step. The railroad's primary purpose was to haul slate from the quarry to Monson 
Jct. It also carried passengers, mail and freight. The "Peanut Roaster", as we 
fondly called the little train, never turned around. She always backed the whole 
six miles from Monson Jct. to Monson Station. The narrow gauge railroad was 
chartered in 1882, built in 1883 and abandoned in 1945. The Railroad Station 
building on Water Street is presently owned and being restored by Cliff Olson. 
Bus service was in existence in 1944 and ceased functioning in 1958, operated by 
Hasey's Bus Lines.

"REDVILLE" Remembered by Kenneth Simmons

The Monson Maine Slate Co. owned six company houses located at the end of Forest 
Ave. These homes were built in a row from south to north and were painted red. 
These homes were occupied by workers of Monson Maine Slate Co. The last residents 
to live in "Redville" were: First house: John Johnson , his daughter Edith and 
son Arthur Second house: John and Jesse Nelson & Family Third house: Fred and 
Lizzie Simmons & Family Fourth house: Walter Robinson & Family (also had been 
occupied by John Ponkala) Fifth house: Burned Sixth house: William and Nina 
Mackie & Family In 1943, the Simmons family were the only ones left, the rest of 
the houses stood empty. In the same year, the Simmons family moved to town and 
into the present Phyllis Ruksznis house on Garage Street. Sherwood Johnson tore 
down the majority of the deserted buildings. Others who also lived in the houses 
of "Redville" were Martha Tuomi Viik and Frank W. Nelson.


MOOSEHEAD MFG. COMPANY:

After the closing of the Monson, Maine Slate Co. in 1943, a Board of Trade was 
formed by the merchants for the purpose of interesting an industry to locate in 
town. In 1945, the Moosehead Woodcrafter's plant in Greenville was destroyed by 
fire. It was rumored that they did not plan to rebuild in Greenville. The Board 
of Trade then met with the officials of the Moosehead Woodcrafters and they 
agreed to locate in Monson for $50,000. The Board of Trade called a meeting of 
all interested citizens and it was decided to finance this venture by selling 
shares of stock. The quarry buildings were purchased, remodeled, and work was 
begun at once. The Woodcrafters made a wooden chair with a seat and a back of 
webbing. The Woodcrafters operated about a year and a half and failed, leaving 
Monson shareholders with nothing but worthless pieces of paper. The spirit of the 
founders of Monson showed in this generation, and a Creditors Committee was 
formed. The stockholders raised twenty thousand dollars more and the plant 
operated for another six months, but could not keep going. The situation was 
really looking black when John Durham of Belfast, Maine, became interested in the 
project. Mr. Durham had formerly been employed by Diamond Match Co. for a number 
of years and as he says, his job was "putting sick factories onto their feet 
again". The Board of Trade appealed to the stockholders and ten thousand dollars 
was offered to John and Tolford Durham to take over this "sick plant". The 
Durhams invested heavily in the plant and put long, hard days trying to 
straighten out a very bad situation beginning in 1947. John Durham had to learn 
the furniture business from the bottom up. It was "nip and tuck" for the first 
three years; then things began to look brighter. In 1954, the Moosehead 
Manufacturing Company was able to pay a dividend to their stockholders. On 
October 29, 1959, Moosehead Mfg. purchased an abandoned woolen mill in 
Dover-Foxcroft to extend the production of their beautiful furniture and opened 
for business in late 1960. Both plants, in 1972, had roughly 200 employees. In 
1997, the company employs 230 people. In 1972, the company had sales offices in 
New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco with showrooms in New York 
and North Carolina. In 1997, the company no longer has sales offices, only 
independent representatives. The only showroom is located in North Carolina. 
Tables and chairs were the Monson plant's major production in 1972, while the 
DoverFoxcroft plant manufactured upholstered and bedroom furniture. Upholstered 
furniture sales ended in early 1990's. Today, tables, chairs and other dining 
pieces dominate Monson's production. The company also offers about 250 different 
items in a variety of finishes and styles throughout the United States with a 
presence in 41 states. September 30, 1973, fire destroyed the saw mill at the 
Moosehead Mfg. Company and was later rebuilt. In 1997, celebrating its 50th 
Anniversary, Moosehead Mfg. Company continues its family owned orientation with 
2nd and 3rd generation management. The company's principal raw material remains 
hard maple logs harvested from Maine's nearby forests and continues to be a 
strong value added industry serving local communities.


1972 MONSON BUSINESSES WITH THEIR EARLY HISTORY AND FORMER OWNERS UPDATED - 1997

KENNEDY SLATE CO. BLDG (The former - MILTON BARTLETT'S GULF STATION) The land and 
buildings owned by French & Curtis - they bought the land from Arthur Bessey in 
1956. The first manager - John Ruksznis followed by Ronald Clukey, Maurice Davis, 
Frank Templeton and in 1967, it was opened by its present operator- Milton 
Bartlett. In 1979 it was owned and operated by George Gorey. In 1997, the 
property is owned by Mike Davis & Carl Vainio.

MOOSEHEAD TRAIL ANTIQUE SHOP - (The former -YANKEE TRADER) The building was built 
for Daniel Champion in 1935 by Percy Smith and was known as Champion's Filling 
Station. It was later acquired by Arthur and Edna C. Haggstrom and in 1971 sold 
to Alanson Robbins. Owned by Roger Page in 1976 and known as Page's General 
Store. Presently owned by Bernard Crabtree who is currently remodeling the 
building to open an antique shop.

MONSON GARAGE - The bottom story of the John Ruksznis home was previously located 
on Main St. between (the former A. Haggstrom and D. Williams houses) G. Tabor and 
B. Holmbom houses. At that time the building which was know as the Monson Garage 
in 1972 was a barn built in the early 1880's and situated in back of this house. 
After it was moved it was used as a livery stable by P. W. Knight and then as a 
leased garage. Former business owners were: Archie Greenleaf and Stanley Stevens; 
Archie Greenleaf; Daniel Champion; Will Champion (operated by Leslie Robinson); 
Edward Dutra; Lloyd Butterfield; and Hal Stanchfield. In 1972, John Ruksznis 
owned and operated Monson Garage and had been in business for 26 years. Ruksznis 
moved his business to a new garage built on the north side of his home and sold 
the barn building and lot in 1991 to the Monson Fire Department. On October 12, 
1995, the garage was demolished.

O'SHEA BUILDING (The former STORER'S HOME CARE CENTER) This was a hardware store 
owned by Billy Eldridge and later by Luther Colbath. It was then bought by John 
Strom, then by Sam Ulman and used as a meat store. The American Legion bought it 
from Ulman and they in turn sold it to Ira Bishop. Next Arnold Grant owned it and 
he sold out to Berwin Storer (Owner in 1972). Storer sold to L. Goodwin. 
Presently owned by Elinor O'Shea. The building is vacant. (Note: The Civil 
Defense had a lookout tower built on top of this building during World War II to 
report airplanes that passed the area.)

MONSON GENERAL STORE (the former J & J GENERAL STORE) Attorney John Sprague's 
house stood here before the 1910 fire. It was rebuilt by Arthur Brown and made 
into a general store. It was then taken over by Clarence Brown. The block was 
sold to the following people in the proper sequence: Ethel & Arvid Holmquist, 
Paul Hoyle, Laurice Goodwin, Joseph & James Quartararo, C. Leavitt and James 
Quartararo, R. Chamberlian, R. Pierce and then purchased by the present owner 
Bettinan Stevens in 1977. Stevens lives in the upstairs apartment.

MONSON HARDWARE BUILDING ( The former MONSON LIGHT AND POWER BUILDING) In 1889, 
C. W. Folsom had a drug store on one side of the building, and a Post Office was 
on the other side. Roy Hescock had the drugstore - Post Office when the building 
burned in the 1910 fire. In 1912, it was rebuilt by Alner Gilbert. Since that 
time it has been used as a Variety Store, A&P Store, Grocery Store and Post 
Office with apartments upstairs. In 1972, it was owned by Francis G. Marshall and 
used as an office and storage. Rents upstairs - vacant. Since 1972 owners 
include: Berwin Storer; Joanne Gourley who renovated the three second floor 
apartments and changed the name to the Monson Hardware Store. Gourley sold to 
Charles Patterson in 1979. In 1988, it was sold to James Winslow. Bettinan 
Stevens purchased the building from Winslow in 1995 and presently rents the 
street floor as a craft store. All three upstairs apartments are rented.

DONNA VAINIO REAL ESTATE BLDG. (The former - POOLE'S MARKET) Former owners - 
Ladd, W. A. Bray, Arthur Bray, Nadeau. Oswald Poole bought it from Nadeau. It has 
always been a grocery store. It was damaged by fire in 1955 when Nadeau owned it. 
Rent in back was gutted by the fire and was removed. Rent upstairs - vacant. 
Since 1972, owners include: L. Schaff; N. Moore. In 1997, the building is owned 
by Mike Davis and houses Donna Vainio's Real Estate Office on the street floor. 
Apt upstairs is vacant.

MASONIC BLOCK - Burned in 1911. Arthur Brown had a store on the street level and 
a house owned by him was located out back of the Masonic Hall. A stable was 
underneath which also burned. Rebuilt. The first floor housed two businesses. One 
side was a hardware store with the following proprietors: Bill Eldridge, George 
Pullen, and Gordon Hall. The other side has been used as a restaurant, office, 
variety store and dress shop. Second floor - Banquet room, Dentist and Doctor's 
offices, Barber and Beauty shops and club rooms. Third floor - the main hall was 
used for dances and by the Masons, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, and Star. The Monson 
Academy Winter Carnival Balls' were held in the Masonic Bldg. until the Gym was 
built.

The building was damaged by fire July 12, 1969. In 1972, the owner of the 
building was Edward Adams and was vacant.. Since 1972, owners include H. 
Fountain, M. Korsman. In 1997, three investors, known as GDS, own the building. 
Building is vacant.

FORMER MONSON VARIETY STORE - The fire of 1911 started in this building. At this 
time Sam Hughes had a clothing store and barber shop housed here. The rent 
upstairs was occupied by Storer Flint who died in the fire. A bowling alley was 
in operation in the basement. The building was rebuilt by Henry Grover for Edward 
Johnson and was used as a grocery store then a Post Office. Rent upstairs 
remodeled. Purchased by Evold Jorgensen about 1944-45. In 1972, owned and 
operated by Madeline Jorgensen. Since 1972, owners include: C. Leavitt Jr., T. 
Moore. Building was torn down in October 1985 to make room for the new Post 
Office building.

FORMER GALEN VAINIO BUILDING - This building was burned in the 1911 fire. 
Rebuilt. Former owners were Jesse Rogers and Harry Daw. Daw operated a grocery 
store and the Daw family occupied the 2nd floor apartment. After Daw died the 
grocery store was operated by Harry Hughes followed by Stanley Austin Robinson. 
Mrs. Daw sold the building to Galen Vainio in December 1969. Terris Moore bought 
the building in October 1985. The building was torn down and is now the site of 
the new Post Office building.

J&J DEVELOPMENT BLDG (The former - TERRIS MOORE BLOCK) Roy Hescock building 
housed a drugstore and Post Office which burned in 1911. R. Hescock rebuilt on 
the same site which housed a drug store and a Barber Shop with two apartments on 
the second floor. Hescock then sold it to Aubrey Williams who ran a drugstore 
with a Post Office in operation on the other side. In 1972, the building was 
owned by Terris Moore, who lived in the upstairs apartment. In 1992, building was 
purchased by J.& J. Development. Building presently houses the Appalachian 
Station Restaurant, two upstairs apartments, one back apartment still used by 
Mrs. Terris (Katrina) Moore and a craft shop where the old Post Office was 
located.

FORMER BLUE GOOSE - Owned and operated by Joe Davison as a funeral parlor. Burned 
in 1911 and rebuilt. It was then used as a feed store by Guy Hammond. Danny 
Guilds operated an antique shop called the Blue Goose. In 1972, it was owned by 
Edward Adams and used for storage. In 1996, Charles Adams sold to Marie Davis of 
Massachusetts. Mrs. Davis is presently remodeling the building. Plans are for 
three seasonal apartments with an Antique Shop in the front on the street level.


RUSSELL CARLSON BUILDING -(The former - DONALD KEENE BUILDING) Built after 1897 
fire. Owned by Orrin Rice and used as a barber shop and dwelling. Sold to D. 
Keene who had a barber shop and bakery. In 1972, Dr. Isaac Nelson's office and an 
apartment was located on the first floor; rental apartment upstairs was vacant. 
(Note: the telephone office was once housed here when operators were employed.) 
Since 1972, owners include: L. Goodwin & R. Edwards. Russell Carlson is the 
present owner with two rented apartments.

MONSON LAUNDRAMAT - This building belonged to Coombs & Johnson between 1883 and 
1885. The building burned in 1897. Henry Grover owned it about 60 years ago and 
used it as a Country Store. H. Grover's son, Merton Grover, ran a bakery and 
later opened a saloon. Louise Grover sold to Humphrey in 1963. Humphrey in turn 
sold to Laurice Goodwin. Rent upstairs. Since 1972, owners include: W. Maheux 
(1978), Rhodin (1985) & R. Brann. The Laundramat is presently owned by Joyce 
Babcock who resides in the upstairs apartment.

WEYMOUTH BUILDING - (The former - KNIGHTS STORE) - 1888 bought by P. W. Knight 
from C. S. Pullen & Co. and was known as P. W. Knight & Sons (Amos & Henry). It 
was always used as a Dry Goods and Clothing Store. Rent upstairs was occupied by 
Katherine Knight in 1972 and the store was closed. In 1987, K. Knight sold the 
building to Peter & Dorothy Weymouth. Weymouth presently has one rent upstairs 
and has remodeled the street floor into three separate store spaces. The Top Hat 
Beauty Salon is presently located in the center store area.

DAR BUILDING/MONSON MUSEUM -(The former - TOWN HALL & GAR BUILDING) - First 
building built after the Civil War. Destroyed in the fire of December 28, 1888. 
Rebuilt. The annex built in the 1930's by W.P.A. men. The GAR turned the building 
over to the Town of Monson in the early 1940's. When the town owned it they 
housed the Town Office, Fire Dept. and Public Library on the first floor. Second 
floor - was used for many activities. In 1972, the town deeded the building to 
the Tisbury Manor Chapter DAR and it presently houses Monson's Historical Museum. 
(Note: In 1889 the town meeting hall was located in [Tarr] Spencer's Hall.) The 
hose tower, attached to the northeast side of the building, was repaired and 
painted through the efforts of the DAR. Fund raisers were held by the Monson 
Preservation Society throughout 1996 to pay for painting the building. In 1997, 
the building still houses the Museum on the second floor. The DAR and the 
TowneHolmbom Legion Post hold their monthly meetings in the downstairs room that 
formerly housed the town office.

SAL'S COUNTRY STORE & JOEY'O'S CAR WASH - (The former - WAYMOUTH'S GARAGE) 
Located on the Greenville Road. Built by Dennis Weeks for Arthur Day in the late 
1920's. Arthur Day owned and operated a garage until 1942. Closed from 1942-45. 
Reopened by A. Day who operated a garage for a short time before selling to Earl 
Waymouth in the late 1940's. Business closed by Waymouth in 1971. In 1987, 
purchased by R. Wallace: known as R & R Service Center; Feb. 1990, purchased by 
M. Ouellette. Presently owned and operated by Sal & Doug O'Donnell. Garage 
section is leased by H. Bouder, known as Harry's Garage.

J. DAWKINS BUILDING -(The former DAIGLE & DAIGLE HARDWARE STORE) Built by Patrick 
and Jerry Daigle. Opened in the summer of 1970. Hardware and lumber goods. 
Located on Rt. 15. Business closed in March 1988. Pray's Auto - used car business 
- operated out of the building until July 1991. Presently owned by John Dawkins 
and used as an auto body shop.

MONSON UTILITIES DISTRICT (Former MONSON SPRING WATER CO.) - The Monson Spring 
Water Co. was originally started as a source of water by A. W. Chapin for his own 
use who was then the owner of the building what is known as- Brown's Nursing Home 
( now owned by Maine Properties). In 1897, Alvin Gray, with three others, formed 
a company and brought the spring water from the hill into the village. Will Bray 
bought the water company from Percy Smith on Dec. 4, 1925. W. Bray then sold to 
Maude Bray on Oct. 8, 1945. M. Bray in turn sold it to Elwin & Marguerite French 
on Oct. 25, 1948. On April 8, 1955, E. French sold his half to Esmond Richardson. 
E. Richardson & M. French sold to Thaxter Jones on June 20, 1962. In July of 
1968, townspeople voted at a special town meeting to purchase the Water Company 
for $6,000. On Oct. 1, 1968, the Town of Monson took over the Water Co. from 
Thaxter Jones. The town owns the company at the present time. In 1979, a new six 
inch primary main pipeline was installed from the reservoir to Valentine Turner's 
home along South Main Street. A new well was drilled on Homer Hill with a line 
leading down the hill to the former Agnes Holmbom's home (now James Brown) on 
Main Street. Total estimated cost of the project was $135,000.00. Chlorine pumps 
were installed at both locations by 1993. SEWER DISTRICT - In 1973, the Monson 
Utilities District was formed and approved by the State Legislature. An 
engineered design for a town wide sewerage system was completed in 1973. However, 
construction costs prohibited the system from ever being built. In 1984, a Small 
Community Grant from the Department of Environmental Protection allowed the town 
to connect the Main Street business', discharging directly into Lake Hebron, the 
opportunity to install a "limited" sewerage disposal system. From 1984-1990, 
three homes on Center St., all homes on Main Street and the homes along lower 
Pleasant, Wilkins and Hebron Street were connected. Two large leach fields, one 
is located off Water Street and one in the school ballfield, were constructed to 
serve these homes.

C. V. (TAD) TURNER, INC. - Forest products and general trucking, bulldozing, 
shovel, back-hoe, crane work, and excavating. Located on the William Hughes Farm 
on the Willimantic Road. In 1997 the corporation is in-active.


1972 ACTIVE BUSINESS'

INSURANCE: Francis G. Marshal - Hartford Insurance Co. and Monson Light and Power 
Co. Robert E. Lander - General Insurance Stanley A. Robinson - insurance and real 
estate broker FOREST PRODUCTS: Merton Carr - woods operator Bjork Bros. - William 
and Harlan - woods operators Robert Brown - pulp buyer Wayne Reed - pulp and logs 
Hollis Nelson - woods operator Lloyd G. Kelley - building camp roads and backhoe 
work Kelley Bros. - apple orchards C.V. Turner - forest products and contractor

BEAUTICIANS: Me Me's Beauty Salon - Amelia Daigle, prop. Jo L's Toppe Knott Shop 
- Joyce Lander, prop.

MISCELLANEOUS: Phyllis Ruksznis - bakery Raymond Anderson - painter (buildings) 
Berwin Storer - painter (buildings) Dennis Casey - "Wildwood Camp Ground" Monson 
Pond Herbert Bishop - snowmobile dealer - Bishop's Great Outdoors Joyce Kelley - 
antiques Brown's Nursing Home - Raymond Bishop, prop. French's Boarding Home - 
Marguerite French Robert L. Greenleaf - electrician Robert Leavitt - electric 
motors Olive Hammond - seamstress Leon Piela - carpenter Lawrence Hammond - 
bookkeeper William Erickson - crawlers (bait) Earl Waymouth - live bait Ed and 
Audrey Higgins - live bait Kendrick Benton - photographer Gerry Weymouth - artist 
and teacher Elinor Brayton - artist Mrs. Elizabeth Seitz - The Shell Studio 
Coffee Shoppe Kahvila - Helen Johnson, prop. Bessie Doble - antiques Patrick & 
Jerry Daigle - carpenters Edna Haggstrom - knits and crochets articles for sale 
Harry Lindie - radio repair F. Elwin French - repair shop and makes novelties

TWO ACTIVE FARMS: John Sandberg - Southeast Monson Forrest Stevens - ( Old 
Steward Farm) Southeast Monson


1997 ACTIVE BUSINESS' Althea French, Tole painting on Slate Appalachian Station 
Restaurant - Cindy Turner, Prop. Barry-Scott Hall - Scenic Photography Busy 
Buddies Daycare - Sherry Bjork, Prop. Donna Vainio Real Estate - Donna Vainio 
Prop. Ed Tully - Wooden Novelty Items G.A. Reed, Logging - Gordon "Mike" Reed, 
Prop. Hat's Off Beauty Salon - Shawna Knight, Prop. Hair Designs - Daylinda 
(Stone) Storer, Prop. Harry's Garage - Harry Bouder, Prop. Henry Erickson - 
Wooden Novelty Items Joey O's Carwash - Sal & Doug O'Donnell, Prop. Leary's Soils 
Works - Joseph & Corinne Leary, Prop. Kennedy Slate Mine Forestry - Carl Vainio, 
Prop. Kevin Storer - Carpentry Lake Hebron Heights - Senior Citizen Complex - 
Alice & Al Theriault, Prop. L. G. Kelley & Sons, Inc. - Lloyd G. Kelley, Prop. 
North Country Seafood - Ron Nickerson, Prop. Monson 24-Hour Towing - Doug 
Villone, Prop. Monson General Store - Bett Stevens, Prop. Monson Kennels - Doug & 
Judy Villone, Prop. Monson Laundromat - Joyce Babcock, Prop. Moosehead Mfg. Co. - 
Wayne Huff, President Pie Lady Lodging - Sydney Pratt, Prop. Robinson's Mobil 
Mart - Cherry Applebee, Mgr. Sal's Country Store - Sal & Doug O'Donnell, Prop. 
Sargent's Sun Tanning Salon - Christine Sargent, Prop. Shaw's Boarding Home - 
Patricia & Keith Shaw, Prop. Shear Magic - Cindi Annis, Prop. Sheldon Slate 
Products Co., Inc. - John Tatko, Gen. Mgr. Stewart Smith - Masonry and Gen. 
Carpentry Suomi Plumbing - Paul Suomi, Prop. T.H.A. Logging - Thomas Adkins, 
Prop. Wildwood Shores Campground - Monson Pond - Larry Lewis Prop.


Editor: Use the photo's from page 45 in 1972 History Book


HEBRON POND QUARRY (Abandoned)


KINEO QUARRY (Abandoned) Building now Used as Town Sand Shed


Editor: Use photo's from page 46 in 1972 History Book


PORTLAND-MONSON SLATE CO. 1910-12


SHELDON SLATE PRODUCTS CO., INC. Formerly: Portland-Monson Slate Co. (1972 Photo)


Editor: Use photo's on Page 47 of 1972 History Book


MONSON, MAINE SLATE CO. (Old Photo)


MOOSEHEAD MANUFACTURING COMPANY - (1972 Photo) Formerly the Monson, Maine Slate 
Co.


Editor: Use photo of "Table & Chairs" from page 48 in 1972 History Book


1972 - MAPLE TABLE & CHAIR SET


Products manufactured by MOOSEHEAD MANUFACTURING COMPANY


1997 - KINEO BEDROOM COLLECTION OF SOLID ASH


Editor: Use Photo of Kennedy Marker from Page 48 of 1972 Book


President Kennedy's marker made by Portland-Monson Slate


PRESIDENT J. F. KENNEDY, JACQUELINE KENNEDY AND CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL STONES 
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY


Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' marker made by: Sheldon Slate Products Co. - 1994


M.R.R. No. 3 Engine at Monson Station on Water Street


M.R.R. No. 4 Engine - Engineers: Albion Johnson & Elwin French


Monson R.R. Engine at Monson Jct. Station in Abbot, ME


Monson Narrow Gauge Railroad Station Water Street - Monson, ME


CHAMPION'S FILLING STATION - 1972 YANKEE TRADER Built in 1935


MOOSEHEAD TRAIL ANTIQUES Bernard Crabtree - Owner (1997 Photo) (Former Yankee 
Trader and Page's General Store)


MONSON GARAGE IN 1923 Arthur Haggstrom and Archie Greenleaf 1972 Owner - J. 
Ruksznis Demolished in 1995


1997 Garage Street - Site of former Monson Garage located in vacant lot between 
the two buildings.


MAIN STREET LOOKING SOUTH (Old Photo) R - L: Masonic Block, G. Vainio's, 
Restaurant and Post Office, E. Adams, Former A. Anderson's, D. Keene, Laundramat, 
and Knight's.


MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTH (Old Photo)


MAIN STREET LOOKING SOUTH (Old Photo)


1972 - POOLE'S MARKET DONNA VAINIO'S REAL ESTATE (1997 Photo)


G.A.R. Hall - taken before Former American Legion Hall Annex built in 1930. With 
Civil Defense Tower. Taken in early 1940's. 1972-Storer's Home Care Center. 1997- 
Vacant


G.A.R. Hall, then Town Hall, Present DAR Building.


1972 - MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTH


1972- MAIN STREET LOOKING SOUTH


MONSON MUNICIPAL BUILDING

On February 14, 1968, the town approved an earlier proposal of building a new 
municipal building to house Monson Town Office, Library, Fire Department, highway 
Dept. and Youth Activities room. Ground was broken in April of 1968 for the new 
building which was designed by Dan Edgerton at the site of the former Willer 
House. The cost of the new building was $39,200.00. On June 16, 1969, open house 
was held dedicating the new building to the town. An addition was added on the 
north side in 1989.


FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY

Prior to the organization of the Monson volunteer Fire Department, the town had 
no fire fighting equipment and depended on the help of the townspeople. In 1877, 
Alvin Gray, who was the selectman, bought an engine, and an old hand tub and some 
hose for $400 which the town appropriated for that use. At that time, much was 
said against the purchase until the fire of 1897 which burned the buildings from 
the canal to Knight's Store. This section was rebuilt as follows from Knight's 
store to the canal - Grover's now the Laundromat owned by Laurice Goodwin (1972) 
J. Babcock (1997); Orrin Rice - known as the Donald Keene block (1972) now R. 
Carlson; E. McIver - last known as Arvid Anderson's Store which was demolished in 
1966; J. Davison -former Edward Adams (1972), now M. Davis (1997) and used for 
storage. The first fire apparatus is in a museum in Meredith, New Hampshire. The 
Monson Fire Department was organized in 1937, with Dennis Weeks as Chief, and 
sixteen members who were Arthur Day, Merton Grover, Clair Sargent, Stanley 
Stevens, Cliff Simpson, Henry Knight, Erick Erickson, Arthur Haggstrom, Fred 
Berry, Anselm Swanson, Paul Jackson, Guy Hammond, Thomas Mountain, Elwin French, 
Robert Benton and Eugene Bickford. The first fire house was in the old GAR Hall 
known as the old Town Hall on Main Street and remained there until 1968 when the 
new Municipal Building was built. In 1937, the first motor driven fire engine was 
purchased which is still being used today. The department presently has two fire 
engines, two tank trucks and an Army Surplus truck. An alarm system was installed 
on the top of the old town hall building. Prior to this the church bells were 
used as a means of an alarm. On May 3, 1946, Arthur Haggstrom became Fire Chief, 
a post he held for 15 years, until March 28, 1961. John Ruksznis became Chief and 
held the position for seventeen years, until his retirement in January 1978. In 
1972, the fire department consisted of 20 men who attend regular meetings and 
training sessions. In 1997, the department has 21 Volunteer firemen and four 
Junior firemen. In 1974, the fire department joined the National Fire Protection 
Association (N.F.P.A.), Piscataquis Firefighters Association, made the first "Tot 
Finder" identification stickers available to the Monson Residents and joined the 
Maine State Federation of Firefighters. In 1976, the Monson Firemen represented 
Monson, Maine by entering the 1937 Antique Ford at the Monson, Massachusetts 
Celebration Parade and once again, in September of 1987. The Monson Municipal 
Fire Department was incorporated on August 27, 1977. Incorporation papers were 
drawn up by Judge Millard Emanuelson. The following members signed the 
incorporation papers: John A. Ruksznis, Pres.; Paul B. Allen, Kennard P. Allen, 
Treasurer; George E. Rongner, Dwain A. Allen, Robert L. Greenleaf, Scott Lander, 
and Brian Turner. In 1985, the Fire Chief was elected by its department ending 
the election of the chief at the Annual Town Meetings. In 1992, the Hot Shots 
were organized. Duties are to assist the Maine Forest Service with forest fire 
suppression. PAST AND PRESENT FIRE CHIEFS: Dennis Weeks, 1937-1946; Arthur 
Haggstrom, 1946-1961; John Ruksznis, 1961-1978; Collin Bickford, 1979-1988; Rick 
Pembroke, 1988-1994; Jerry Hibbard, 1994-1995; Terry Gaudet, 1995-1997; Robert 
Wilson, 1997-present. Paul Allen, Assistant Chief - 17 years (1961-1978) Note: 
John Ruksznis, a 51 year veteran firefighter passed away in 1997. He was honored 
with an official firefighters funeral being carried on the 1937 Ford Pumper to 
the cemetery. Eulogy was presented by Past Fire Chief Rick Pembroke. 1997 - TOP 
VETERAN FIREFIGHTERS ON MONSON ACTIVE ROSTER: Paul Allen - 47 years; Brian 
Turner, 25 years; Rick Pembroke, 20 years; Jerry Hibbard, 18 years; Darrell 
Erickson and Roy Sargent, 16 years. Town Fire Warden: Rick Pembroke - 1988 to 
present 1997- Equipment used by the Fire Dept. include: 1990 F.M.C. Pumper; 1968 
Howe 750/750 Pumper; 1989 Ford 2300 gallon Tanker; and a 198? Rescue/Utility Van. 
Sept. 1997- Acquired 1989 Ford to replace tank truck. Civic Projects & Annual 
Fund Raisers: - Fire Prevention through the schools, Scholarship fund, and Girls 
State sponsor until 1997. - Firemen's Auction and grass burning. - Annual 
Firemen's supper, Santa Claus for the Children, Decorating Main Street at 
Christmas time and many other civic projects. FIRE EQUIPMENT: In August of 1975 - 
the department purchased the "Diamond T" pumper from the Town of Guilford During 
February, 1983 - the Fire Dept. replaced the following equipment: "Diamond T" 
with a 1964 International Pumper; 1955 Ford Tanker with a 1975 International 2300 
gallon tanker and purchased a new alarm system with pagers for each firefighter. 
April 24, 1984 - replaced International Utility truck with 1978 cube BDX Rescue 
Van. January 27, 1989 - took delivery of a 1990 F.M.C. 1000/1000 Pumper. First 
new apparatus in town since 1968. This new truck was dedicated to John Ruksznis 
and Paul Allen in March of 1990. August, 1990-Restored old hose cart found at 
Moosehead Mfg. Company. Dedicated to Ed Tully. September 1991 - Monson's 1937 
Pumper and restored Hose Cart took first place at the Maine State Firefighters 
Convention. RESCUE CALLS: October 18, 1979, the department was called to the 
Portland-Monson Slate Co. to help with the rescue of a man pinned in the mine. 
The victim later died of internal complications. September of 1980, the firemen 
were called to help rescue Baxter Stone who had fallen +/200 feet into the Kineo 
dump pit. He was rescued with only minor cuts and bruises. May 23, 1982, the 
department was involved in the recovery of two drowning fatalities at Doe Pond. 
July 30, 1983, the department rescued an Appalachian Trail hiker on Barren 
Mountain in Blanchard Plt. August 11, 1985, the firemen were involved in a 
drowning fatality at Early's Camp on Sebec Lake in Willimantic. September 24-27, 
1986 - The department was involved in the rescue search of Kay Johnson. Mrs. 
Johnson was never found. September 5, 1989 - The department was called to fatal 
vehicle accident on the North Guilford Road. October 28, 1989 - The department 
responded to a airplane crash in Willimantic. No fatalities. June 14, 1994 - The 
department was involved in the rescue of an Appalachian Trail hiker on Barren 
Mountain, Blanchard Plt. Victim was airlifted to hospital with broken leg. 
August, 1994 - Firemen involved in the rescue of Appalachian Trail hiker at 
Leeman Brook shelter. Heart attack victim was airlifted from Rabbit Pond after 
all night ordeal. In addition, to the rescue calls, the Monson Volunteer firemen 
are asked to do controlled burns of many structures that are unsafe or abandoned 
at the request of the owners..


EARLY HISTORY - MAJOR FIRES IN MONSON

Monson has been the victim of many fires over the years. In May, 1824, a fire 
which started on what is now the common, where the forest was being cleared away, 
threatened to destroy what buildings there were in the vicinity. All the help 
that could be found worked hard for a day and night to save the mills, two houses 
and one or two outbuildings then standing where the village is now. Then another 
fire struck the town in the autumn of 1825. This fire swept across a large 
portion of this state destroying great tracts of timber land. Many of the 
buildings were in danger, but through strenuous efforts, none were destroyed. 
Again in the spring of 1831, the village was threatened once more.


Editor: Insert Photo of Monson Village in 1858


MONSON VILLAGE IN 1858 MONSON IN 1859 (Description of Village before the GREAT 
FIRE) Taken from newspaper article dated Wednesday, January 12, 1887

Ever since our childhood we have often heard of what Monson was before the great 
fire, May 28th, 1860, which consumed nearly all the business part of the village. 
Old residents frequently refer to the former appearance and thrift of the town. 
Since then a generation have grown up, who will be pleased and instructed to know 
just what the condition and size of the village was in ye olden times. Through 
the kindness of the family of Rev. R.W. Emerson, in loaning us a photograph, we 
are able to give a cut of the village as it was in about 1859. The picture was 
taken from a point on the hill, now covered with a forest growth, near the 
present residence of John C. Tripp. It was then a cultivated field. The southeast 
and No. 8 roads are in the foreground. Where the buildings of C. C. Gilbert now 
stand was the old copper shop, transformed into a residence and occupied by John 
McDermott. After the fire, it was moved onto the Cole Store lot, occupied 
variously until nearly destroyed by fire in Jan. 1884, when it was purchased by 
C.W. Rogers, and made into his present two story residence. Next were a set of 
buildings then occupied by James Arnold. This house after the fire was moved onto 
the Eveleth store lot, fitted up and occupied by A.G. Houston as a store, and 
afterwards occupied by Edwin R. Haynes until it was destroyed by fire in 1872, 
and in its place is the present building owned by Mr. Haynes and occupied by him 
and A.F. Jackson, & Co. The barn was moved to the Eveleth stable lot and formed a 
part of what, in recent years, has been known as the Frye stable, now the Sibley 
block occupied by W.A. Macomber's saloon, C. C. Hall & Co., druggists, W.T. 
Macomber, barber, E.D. Sibley's harness shop and residence and C H. Butler, 
shoemaker. On the west side of the main street the buildings, going north, were 
as follows: Residence of James Hills now the residence of J.P. Haynes Esq; the 
cottage house now owned by Joseph McClure; the large two story residence of Hiram 
Folsom, afterwards the Chapin Hotel, burned in 1882; the store of Samuel Tubbs, 
now the residence of W. S. Knight; the large tavern stand of Nelson Savage, where 
the store of C. S. Pullen & Co. is; the blacksmith shop of James Tarr, in the 
place of residence and store of E. M. Johnston; the carriage shop of Dea. Wm. 
Tenney; shoemaker's shop of Thos. Macomber, now the office of J. F. Sprague Esq.; 
the Cole Store; harness shop of Alden Crooker; where the Masonic block now is, 
the store and store house of J. H. Pullen; dwelling house of S.A. Macomber; law 
office of J. H. Rice; the Oliver Eveleth barn; on the corner of the street where 
the store of A. S. Garland now is, the Dea. Ward house. On the east side of the 
street northward the buildings were: Residence of J. P. Haynes, now occupied by 
S. C. Davis, the Elias Doughty residence then occupied by Nathan Knight; 
residences of Horace Pullen and Dr. S.A. Patten and shoe shop of John Chick. 
North of the bridge, the large set of farm buildings of A. Chapin, Esq., the 
Oliver Eveleth store occupied by A. G. Houston, the residence of Oliver Eveleth; 
the Eveleth House, Solomon Chandler, proprietor; the Congregational Church and 
the Academy on their present sites. The old Academy building was burned in March 
1860 and the present building begun at once and completed in 1861. The present 
grist mill then existed and was owned by A. Chapin, Esq. and the tannery and 
clover seed mill of Horace Pullen were in active operation. Mr. J. P. Haynes 
owned the saw mill east of the residence of Jas. K. Whiting where C. W. Morrill 
now lives. Including Water St., Chapin and Forest Avenues, were only the 
residences of Isaac Phillip's where Stephen Douglas lives and Roland Taylor where 
Leonard Stone resides and the Phillip's saw mill. On the Lake Road beyond the 
Dea. Ward house were the Dr. Jordan residence, near the present Eastern slate 
quarry; the Bowman Varney house, destroyed by fire in 1876 and the home of Dr. 
Davison. On the south side of the street to the Baptist Church were the cabinet 
shop of E.T. Andrews, the dwelling house now owned by Benj. Palmer, the residence 
of Thos. Macomber and the stand of Horace Flanders; on the north side: the house 
of A.K. Jackson where the residence of Leonard Crafts is, the Abner Brown house 
then occupied by Rev. D.P. Bailey, the Baptist church and the house now occupied 
by J. H. Pullen then owned by L. P. Bray. On what is now known as Centre street 
were the residences of H. H. Pullen, P. H. Rice, J. H. Rice, Esq., and Jas. 
Stanchfield, where Mrs. Lucy Taylor, Hon. L. C. Flint, A. F. Jackson and L. J. 
Hillman now live. On the Abbot road were the Congregational parsonage, the 
residence of Dea. Wm. Tenney, the Lawyer Bell house and the residence of James 
Tarr. The parsonage is now the home of A.S. Garland and the Dea. Tenney place, of 
Rev. R. W. Emerson. The Bell house was afterwards purchased by Dr. Patten, who 
sold it to the Monson Hotel Company in 1882, and it was moved to its present 
location near Tarr's Hall to make room for the Lake Hebron Hotel. A careful look 
at the grounds in front of the hotel reveals the outlines of the old cellar. The 
village then contained about thirty dwelling houses, three stores, two hotels, 
two churches, the academy, one blacksmith, one carriage, one cabinet and one 
harness shop, one law office and three shoe shops. Now there are over 135 
dwelling houses, 13 stores, a fine hotel, two churches, the academy, two 
blacksmith shops, one harness shop, one shoemaker, one cabinet shop, one tin 
shop, two law offices, two doctors' offices, Tarr's hall, Masonic hall, engine 
house, two livery stables, one photograph saloon, two barber shops, a butter box 
factory, grist mill, two saw mills, steam saw mill for sawing birch, an the 
buildings and machinery of nine slates quarries, and a railroad station. One fact 
illustrates the change in methods of doing business. Then three shoemakers were 
able to live here, as most of the shoes were hand made, and they made many boots 
and moccasins for the lumbermen. Now there is barely work enough for one man. The 
fire broke out about noon on Sunday in the stable of the Savage Hotel and burned 
everything on that side of the street to the residence of Rev. D. P. Bailey, 
except the present law office of J. F. Sprague, Esq., and on the north east side, 
everything above the bridge. The home of J. H. Rice was also destroyed. The day 
was very warm and pleasant and everything very dry, just in the right condition 
to feed a fire rapidly. It was years before the town recovered from the blow. 
Through the discover of slate and the establishment of the quarries, it has now 
far outgrown its former self, and bids fair to be still larger in the future.


THE GREAT FIRE (Taken from the 1914 Pharetra)

It is quite a look backward over the nearly fifty-four years since the great fire 
in Monson. Within this period Monson has been visited by a number of serious 
conflagrations but none of them has destroyed so large a proportion of the 
buildings as that on May 27, 1860, which swept away most of the village. Few who 
were then of adult age are now living, and those who were then children are well 
along in years. Prior to 1860, Monson enjoyed a remarkable exemption from serious 
fires. The town in common with others suffered from the great forest fires of 
1825, but from 1818 to 1860, according to Reverend Charles Davison's 
semi-centennial address, only four dwelling houses had been destroyed by fire; 
namely, that of Samuel Rowe in the winter of 1818-19, that of Calvin Colton in 
the spring of 1823, that of George Doughty in 1836 and that of Alexander 
Greenwood Houston in November, 1852. For seven years after this last fire the 
sound of the fire bell had not been heard. Its silence was first broken March 31, 
1860, when the Academy burned, to be followed by a greater conflagration not 
quite two months later. In May, 1860, the weather had been for several weeks warm 
and dry. There were no slated roofs in Monson then and the shingles on the roofs 
were dry as tinder. Sunday, May 27, was a calm and pleasant day with a light 
south wind. Shortly after the close of the morning services the Sabbath stillness 
was broken by the wild cry of "Fire" and the ringing of the bell in the 
Congregational Church. Looking across the little pond from the window of my 
father's house, then standing on the site now occupied by I. P. Wing's residence 
(In 1972 - home of Edwin Holmbom's; now K. VanHyning), I saw the flames pouring 
from the roof of the stable connected with Nelson Savage's hotel called the 
"Mansion House", the hotel being on the site now occupied by Peleg W. Knight's 
store (1997- owned by Peter Weymouth), and the stable a little south and in the 
rear. In the few minutes required to reach the spot, the flames had spread to the 
hotel and the inmates were throwing, out of doors and windows, beds, bedding and 
furniture in frantic effort to save something from the wreck. The heat generated 
an active air current and the flames with a wild roar devoured everything they 
touched in an incredibly short time. The burning shingles were swept high in the 
air and were carried by the now accelerated south wind northward, immediately 
setting fire to any roof on which they dropped. The flames mocked the puny 
efforts to stay their onward rush with water pails and buckets - the only 
fire-fighting apparatus in the village. It was a spectacle at once grand and 
awful to see almost the entire village in flames at once. The fire began about 
one P.M. or a little earlier and by three P. M. the work of destruction was 
substantially complete. When the sun set on that eventful day, little was left in 
the central part of the village but a mass of smoking ruins. Except a small shop 
next north of the canal, every building on the west side of Main Street from the 
Mansion Hotel north was destroyed. This included Tarr's and Knight's blacksmith 
shops. Tenney's wheelwright shop, J. H. Pullen's store and home of Deacon Ward on 
the lot afterwards of A. S. Garland ( 1972- Gordon Hall's home; 1997 - W. 
Stevens). The fire also destroyed a cabinet shop of Elias T. Andrews and dwelling 
of Albion Jackson, both on Pleasant Street the latter on the site of Mrs. Hattie 
Crafts' residence (1972- Esther Pennington's home; 1997- D. Morrell) . Only a 
change of wind prevented the flames, from sweeping up Church Street. On the east 
side of Main Street every building north of the canal to and including the 
Congregational Church was burned, including Aretas Chapin's extensive farm 
buildings, Oliver Eveleth's store (1972 - Erma Small's home; 1997 - J. Hansen) 
and dwelling occupied by A. G. Houston (former DAR Chapter House) and the hotel 
called the "Monson House" (located in the general area of the former Berwin 
Storer's home; 1997- A. Lowell) then kept by Solomon J. Chandler. (Note: Aretas 
Chapin's farm was about where the former Louise Grover's home stood in 1972, now 
owned by N. Berthiaume.) In the midst of the excitement a dwelling house on 
Central Street formerly occupied by Honorable J. H. Rice on the lot afterwards of 
A. F. Jackson (now owned by S. Knight and formerly owned by Ansel LaPointe), 
caught fire from the flying embers and was speedily burned to the ground. In the 
space of two hours, about forty buildings were totally destroyed with a large 
portion of their contents. So rapidly did the flames spread that there was little 
opportunity to save anything. The buildings destroyed included one church, two 
hotels, three of the four stores, six dwellings besides shops, one law office, 
barns and outbuildings. The business part of the village was practically wiped 
out. Some of the sufferers were stripped of substantially all their earthly 
possessions. Some had no insurance and others while less unfortunate never 
recovered from their losses. To crown all, certain disreputable characters from 
outside added plunder to the troubles of the sufferers. The total losses were 
estimated at $22,750 and insurance only $9,600. At the scale of prices prevailing 
this meant much more than the same figures would represent today and gives a very 
imperfect idea of the magnitude of the misfortune which for the moment 
overwhelmed the little village. The heaviest losers were Nelson Savage, $1,300; 
J. H. Pullen, $2,800; Congregational Society, $1,200; with no insurance; Solomon 
J. Chandler, $3,000; Oliver Eveleth, $2,200; and Aretas Chapin, $3,000. The 
figures are those given in the Observer at the time, and those losses except in 
the case of the church were partially covered by insurance. The business men 
sought such accommodations as they could find. The post office was for some time 
kept in the rear wing of Horace Flanders' house (the former Tolford Durham's home 
now owned by John & Melinda Wentworth). Some who had been in business at Monson 
sought other fields of activity. It was many years before the village regained 
its former prosperity. The cause of the fire was never certainly known. One rumor 
attributed it to certain (half) intoxicated persons smoking in the hay loft of 
Nelson Savage's stable. Others believed that the fire was deliberately set by an 
offender who had been arrested in Monson shortly before and who threatened 
vengeance upon the town. No attempt was made however (perhaps from lack of 
evidence) to bring the culprit, if such he was, to justice. Incidentally the fire 
resulted in one important benefit in ridding Monson (let us hope forever) from 
hotels in which intoxicating liquor was kept for sale. Shortly after the fire 
Aretas Chapin opened a hotel (built on the site of the former Bartlett's Gulf 
Station- now Kennedy Slate Co.) which until it burned on March 25, 1882, 
maintained a consistent and honorable record as a temperance hotel, and this 
excellent record has, I believe been maintained by hotels since opened in Monson. 
Dudley P. Bailey


The alarm of fire rang at 4 a. m. on Friday the 28th of December of 1888. The 
engine house with the G.A.R hall above, the building owned by Hillman Bros. and 
used as a furniture and tailor's shop, and Mr. Boynton's fine new buildings, 
store and dwelling with barn adjoining and a dry house filled with lumber 
belonging to the Monson Refrigerator Co. were swept away in an hour's time. It 
was the most disastrous fire since 1860. The town lost the road machine for which 
it paid $225.00 just two years before. The buildings burnt nearly together and 
almost everything in them was destroyed. The hearse was saved. (Note: This is the 
fire which burned from Water Street to the residence of Alvin Gray's (the former 
A. Haggstrom's home, now owned by G. Tabor). This event was taken from the 
private journal of Miss Sadie Emerson, daughter of the Rev. Emerson, and loaned 
by her grandson, Vernon Wilson. January 12, 1897, everything was burned from the 
canal to P. W. Knight's store (now Peter Weymouth). Later in 1899 the old hotel 
stable (situated where the former Bartlett's Gulf Station stood - now Kennedy 
Slate Co.) burned. Then on January 6, 1910, the Lake Hebron Hotel which opened in 
1882 was consumed by fire. In the winter of 1910 (Dec. 27) fire destroyed all the 
buildings from the Bray Block ( the former Poole's Market; now Donna Vainio Real 
Estate Office) to the corner of Pleasant and Main Street. Fire broke out on the 
night of Nov. 8, 1911, in the business section and swept everything from the 
Spencer Block (former A. Anderson Block - now a vacant lot) to W. A. Bray's Store 
(now D. Vainio's Real Estate Office) including the Masonic Hall. During the night 
of Nov. 3, 1919, there was a bad fire in one of the Railroad buildings, which 
destroyed all the engines belonging to the road, leaving us now without any rail 
service. (Taken from Alvin Gray's diary.) (Note: damaged engines, No. 3 and 4, 
repaired by D. Weeks.) On Nov. 5,1939, there was a fire at Clarence Brown's store 
(the former J & J General Store now Monson General Store) which damaged the 
interior. If one should ask some of the older citizens in Monson what the longest 
night they've ever had, they might recall the fire on December 17, 1942, when the 
fire started in the crating room of the Portland-Monson Slate Co. From 8:30 to 10 
p. m., they fought hard to save the building which they did quite successfully. 
Then one hour later, fire was discovered in the big mill which lasted until 8 
o'clock the next morning. A fire always ends up as a loss for someone, but 
perhaps one of the most tragic losses was on March 2,1950, when Elwood Smith, his 
six children and his mother Harriet Smith were burned to death. His wife was 
badly burned and hospitalized. Their house was situated between what was A. 
Swanson's (1997- L. Rumery) and A. Small's (1997- S. Lander) on South Main 
Street. The Smith house was the oldest house in town in 1950. It was once located 
on the site of the former Brown's Nursing Home now owned by Maine Properties and 
stands vacant. On Feb. 7, 1955, Poole's Market, then owned by Nadeau, was damaged 
inside by fire. The interior of the Masonic Hall which housed Pullen's Hardware 
and Robinson Insurance Agency on the first floor was damaged by fire on July 12, 
1969.


ORGANIZATIONS AMERICAN LEGION POST No. 116 AND AUXILIARY Towne-Holmbom Post No. 
116

The Monson American Legion was started on March 1, 1921 with 16 charter members: 
Ira F. Bishop, August Peterson, Byron A. Kallgren, Frank Larson, William Lindie, 
Thomas Mountain, Lawrence Johnson, Paul Nelson, Elmer Lindie, Erick Holmquist, 
Robert Bigger, Byron W. Harmon, Elam Olson, Albert Degerstrom, Howell Hughes and 
Erick Erickson. Ira Bishop was the first commander, and in later years, served as 
County Commander. The Auxiliary was instituted on Dec. 12, 1922, with 38 charter 
members: Lizzie Towne, Mary Davis, Mary Larson, Edith Carlson, Lottie Grant, 
Margaret Bigger, Elizabeth LeClair, Elizabeth Bodge, Margaret Steward, Myrtle 
Homer, Florence Hughes, Addie Wing, Pearl Dore, Ruth Larson, Edith Brown, Nettie 
Kallgren, Margaret Bishop, Margaret LeClair, Isabella Brown, Amy Kronholm, Hilma 
Holmquist, Marjorie Hughes, Sadie Grover, Audrey Flint, Jennie Lindahl, Ida 
Roberts, Esther Johnson Pennington, Madeline LeClair, Marion Billings, Rubena 
Johnson Fenlason. Blanche Hescock, Whilhelmina Stanchfield, Estelle Lindie, 
Harriet Flint, Hattie Larson, Judith Natycks Venott, Alice Jackson, Laurice 
Harmon. The Monson Post was named in honor of Oral A. Towne, who was killed in 
action July 22, 1918 in Bois, LeFere, France. On September 24, 1951, the American 
Legion of Monson voted to change the name to Towne-Holmbom Post No. 116 in honor 
of Oral A. Towne and Lawrence Holmbom. The latter died in England during World 
War II. For many years, both the Monson American Legion and the Auxiliary held 
their meetings in what was the Storer's Home Care Center - now E. O'Shea 
building. They held many food sales and card parties to raise money and provide 
relaxation for their members. In 1925, they erected the flag pole that once stood 
in the square. In 1946 the American legion bought the Swedish Lutheran Church and 
held their meetings and activities there until Dec. 8, 1970, when they sold the 
hall and became inactive. Previous to this they held their fairs, suppers, and 
dances at this location. Each year they held a Field Day in by Monson Pond which 
consisted of baseball games, skeet shooting, swim races, potato bag races, etc. 
They also sold hot dogs at this annual event. Each year, past and present, the 
American Legion and Auxiliary have participated in the Memorial Day exercises. 
The Towne-Holmbom American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 116 is still active with 
Clowes Brown of Elliottsville serving as Commander. Meetings are held in the 
D.A.R. building. The Towne-Holmbom Auxiliary Unit No. 116 gave up its charter 
January 22, 1987. The Auxiliary was issued a new charter on April 4, 1996 with 
twelve charter members being: Joyce (Haggstrom) Allen, Julie (Sargent) Anderson, 
Beth Bohrer, Patricia (Hubbard) Brown, Louise Coburn, Cynthia Hunt, Nancy 
(Douglass) Kelley, Sandra Kronholm, Rose Nelson, Cindy (Breton) Ranta, Jeanne 
(Brown) Reed and Phyllis (Drinkwater) Ruksznis. Cindy Ranta served as its first 
President.


DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Tisbury Manor Chapter, DAR

The Tisbury Manor Chapter, DAR was organized Nov. 5, 1952, with 19 charter 
members: Elena J. Quillian, Genevieve J. Beckwith, Gwendolyn M. Allen, Beatrix J. 
Bray, Stella P. Hughes, Edith D. Jackson, Grace J. Jackson, Faye D. Mithee, 
Agrandece R. Pullen, Priscilla C. Robinson, Hazel P. Warran, Josephine S. 
Emanuelson, Eloise S. Stevens, Ada B. Wyman, Ivy P. Leighton. Bernice J. Young, 
June J. McDonnell, Melvina D. Jacobson and Marie S. Pullen. The first event of 
the Monson DAR, was placing a marker on the grave in the church cemetery of Lydia 
Oldham Jackson, widow of Revolutionary patriot Barnabas Jackson, on Aug. 29, 
1954. They also placed a slate marker on the grave site of Alexander Greenwood, 
surveyor of the Town of Monson and surrounding areas, in the church cemetery on 
June 30, 1961. A small museum in the Old Town Hall (G. A. R. Hall) was 
established on Aug. 21, 1955. Plans are being made to re-establish in this 
building this year it having been at the Chapter's Gray House since 1959. (Note: 
The Museum opened officially on June 24, 1972.) The Monson chapter also sponsored 
the J. A. C. Clubs, DAR Good Citizen Girls and the American History Essay 
Contests in the Monson Schools until it's consolidation into S. A. D. No. 68. In 
1959, they acquired the title to the Gray House which was bequeathed to the 
Chapter by Genevieve Jackson Beckwith and maintained it until 1972 when the Town 
of Monson deeded the Old Town Hall building to them for the museum. A Museum Aide 
is hired (funded by the Summer Youth Employment Program) during the summer months 
making it possible for the Museum to be open to the public during June, July and 
August.

JUANITA GRANGE NO. 396 On August 29, 1902 a group of residents met at the G.A.R. 
Hall at 10 am to organize a Grange in the town of Monson. Charter members were J 
.S. Prescott, Hannah B. Prescot, Charles A. Jackson, Florence M. Jackson, Asa 
Steward, Almon Vinton, Melissa A. Steward, Will C. Prescott, M.A. Clough, Carrie 
M. Clough, J.D. Draper, Eliza Draper, Agnes Steward, Edward M. Homer, Sybil 
Smith, Solomon S. Cole, Gardner Hilton, May Hilton and Eben Bray. The Grange, 
during this time period, was very important to the area communities as a social 
gathering as well as binding farm families in a common goal of enhancing the 
quality of life for their families. Granges served as a forum for all types of 
information concerning farming methods and household tasks. It was also among the 
first organizations that extended equality to women. July 4, 1905 found the 
Grange members holding a regional picnic at Indian Point with Granges from 
Greenville, Shirley, Blanchard, Willimantic, North Guilford, Guilford Center and 
Abbot participating. At one time Juanita Grange in Monson had over 100 members 
with many interesting programs and events taking place throughout the years. 
However, as the times changed, the Grange became less important in the community 
until 1954 when the few remaining members were forced to give up their charter, 
thus ending an important chapter in the life of the farming families of Monson. 
Worthy Master of Juanita Grange were: William Prescott 1903, George Brown 
1904-1906, R.J. Jones 1906-1907, Charles E. Jackson, 1908, S. L. Greeley 1909, 
Carroll Brown 1910-1911, W.W. Crooker 1912, Percy Smith 1913-1915, Earle Jackson 
1916, F. H. Chandler 1917, Percy Smith 1918, George Brown 1919, W. R. Hughes 
1921, Byran Kallgren 1922, Percy Smith 1923, Hattie Bragdon 1924, Edward Homer 
1925-1926, George Brown 1927, E. R. Orr 1928, E. A. McInes 1929-1932, George 
Brown 1933, Carrie Patten 1934, Madeline Richardson 1935, Carrie Patten 1935, 
Chris Dutton 1936, Merle Wyman 1937-1938, Anselm Swanson 1939-1940, Lizzie 
Simmons 1941-1945, Merle Wyman 1946-1950, Richard Hussey 1951, and Katherine 
Russell 1952-1954.

1972 - OTHER *PAST AND PRESENT ORGANIZATIONS

American Sunshine Club *Gerry Relief Corp. No. 43 *Monson Doric Lodge No. 149 J. 
E. Club *Men's Club *Sons of Veterans Woman's Club *Onaway Lodge No. 106 I.O.O.F. 
*North Star Rebekah No. 38 *Woodman's Lodge *Loon Club *P. of H. Juanita Grange 
*Euclid Chapter No. 58 O.E.S. W C T U Finnish Farmers Club *G.A.R. Gerry Post No. 
5 *Farm Bureau (both men and women) Formed in 1919

YOUTH GROUPS: Boy Scouts - Troop No. 119 Girl Scouts Youth Recreation Club 4-H 
Club (Started about 1927)


MONSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A meeting was held on Nov. 3, 1972 at the municipal building for the purpose of 
forming a Historical Society. Eloise Stevens, Treasurer of the Tisbury Manor 
Chapter, DAR of Monson opened the meeting. The residents at the meeting agreed to 
form an organization under the name of Monson Historical Society. First slate of 
officers and trustees were: (2 year term) President, Philip Knight; V-Pres., 
George Rongner; Sec. & Clerk, Althea French; Treasurer, Elizabeth Davis. 
Trustees: (3 year terms) Milton Bartlett, Eloise Stevens & Dorothy Holmbom; (1 
year term) Paul Allen and Robert Lander. The Monson Historical Society by-laws 
and incorporation papers were drawn up by Judge Millard Emanuelson. The Society 
was incorporated on February 22, 1973 with 57 charter members. January 18, 1973 - 
The remaining "History of Monson" books, printed in 1972, and the minted 
commerative coins were given to the society from the Sesquicentennial Committee 
to sell. On Feb. 8, 1973, the special Sesquicentennial Committee's savings 
account ($602.11) was given to the Monson Historical Society. On Sept. 20, 1973, 
the Society received a grant to restore a Snow-Roller which was located in 
Willimantic, owned by Paul Patterson and given to the Monson Historical Society. 
The snowroller was move to Monson on Oct. 3, 1973 by society members - Paul 
Allen, Robert Lander, Philip Knight and Rodney Allen with the use of the town 
equipment. A few weeks later it was moved to Dover-Foxcroft where restoration was 
done in Harold Ruksznis' blacksmith shop and completed in January 1974. The 
roller was returned to Monson and painted gray by Robert Lander. On February 8, 
1975, the Society sponsored the first Snow-Roller Day. The roller was drawn by a 
team of horses driven by Fritz Elliot of Blanchard. There were several outdoor 
events during the day followed by a supper and dance. Snow-Roller Day has been 
held several times in the last 25 years by other town organizations. Note: There 
are only four snow rollers left in Maine. Snow rollers rolled the snow in the 
roadways to make traveling easier for the horse drawn sleighs and sleds. List of 
activities or projects which the Society has been or is involved with follows: A 
collection of old Piscataquis Observers dating from 1909 to 1960's given by the 
family of Earle Jackson have been compiled. Located in the Monson Museum. The 
Monson Annual Town Reports - dating from 1888, were put into bound volumes and 
donated to the Monson Public Library. A complete collection of the Monson Academy 
yearbook - Pharetra (1895-1969) were put into bound volumes. They are located in 
the Monson Public Library. The Society has had one of the Town's old record books 
restored. A record of the former holders of the Boston Post Gold-headed was 
compiled after 1972. The responsibility of the cane was given to the Historical 
Society by the town. After careful research, the cane is presented by the Town 
Manager to Monson's oldest eligible citizen. In 1975, the Society purchased from 
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Adams several items originally owned by Monson Railroad. 
Included in the purchase was a Monson Railroad Station stove, desk, wall cabinet, 
ticket rack, time table holder, mirror, water cooler and books containing Monson 
Railroad records. The Society, in 1983, was involved in celebrating "Peanut 
Roaster Day". Many items, such as old photo's, record books, historical papers, 
family history's, have been donated to the Society. In 1989, the Society paid to 
repair the roof on the Monson Museum building. In Sept. 1992, the society erected 
a new sign at the Savage Mills site which was made by Ed Tully. August, 1993, a 
meeting of the Monson Historical Society was held at the home of AnnaLee Libby in 
Blanchard where members and guests enjoyed a video on the life and the black and 
white photo's of photographer Berenice Abbot. Memorial contributions in memory of 
Merwin and Vernon Wilson were received in 1994. The society voted to place these 
contributions in a special account to finance the return of a MRR engine. In 
1995, Richard Marshall donated reproduction copies of The Monson Railroad and Its 
Proposed Extension and Monson "The Switzerland" of Maine to the Society in memory 
of his parents - Francis & Mabel Marshall. The money realized from the sale of 
the books was placed in a special fund to be used to finance the return of the 
MRR Engine. Also in 1995, the Society oversaw the project of replacing a new set 
of Moosehorns which were mounted on the iron pole by Paul Vainio at the Moosehorn 
site in Abbot. Members of the Society are cataloging the data from the stones in 
the Monson Cemeteries for the Maine Old Cemetery Assoc. (MOCA). In 1996, the 
Society commenced publishing a Newsletter which is sent to the members three 
times a year. A 1996 postcard calendar was compiled which featured old photos and 
history data and sold to raise money. In 1997, the Society was involved in 
obtaining rails, railroad ties, gravel and labor, to lay a track down at the 
Monson Railroad Station on Water Street in preparation for the return of Monson 
Engine #3 on June 28th - Monson's 175th Anniversary day of celebration. The 
Society sponsored a bus trip to Willowbrook at Newfield, Maine to visit a 
restored village. Also, in 1997, Postcards with old photos of Monson, old maps 
and notepaper have been printed for sale. Over the past 25 years, Zelma Stevens, 
a charter member of the Monson Historical Society, has been collecting newspaper 
clippings of events about Monson and compiling same into a scrapbook. 1997 
Society Officers are: Pres.- Estella Bennett, V .Pres. - Helen Grant, Sec. - 
Brenda Tetlow, Treas. - Althea French. Trustees: Philip Knight, Paul Allen, and 
Scott Knight for a 3 year term; Jeanne "Gina" Reed and Julie Anderson for a 1 
year term. Meetings are held once a month. The Society, at the present time, has 
147 members.


1997 - PRESENT ORGANIZATIONS

Monson Historical Society Brownie Girl Scouts Tisbury Manor Chapter DAR Cub Scout 
Troop American Legion Post No. 116 Finnish Farmers Club American Legion Auxiliary 
Fire Dept. Auxiliary Hot Shots Monson UCC Guild Swedish Organization - Started 
1990 Monson Academy Alumni Association Narrow Gauge Riders Snowmobile Club 
Parent/Teachers Organization (PTO) Monson Preservation Society


MONSON CITIZENS DEDICATE HONOR ROLL (Taken from the Piscataquis Observer dated 
Aug. 3, 1944) Written by Earle Jackson

Sunday, July 30th, 1944, will go down among the outstanding days in the history 
of the Town of Monson. The occasion was the unveiling, presentation and 
acceptance of the Honor Roll erected to honor those in the armed forces in World 
War I and World War II from this town. The site of the Honor Roll is on the 
vacant lot owned by Doric Lodge, F. & A. M. between Masonic Hall and the 
Post-Office. Early in the day a group of townspeople took it upon themselves to 
give Main Street, through the business section a good cleaning. The Street looked 
spic and span. The residence of W. Harry Hughes being directly across the street 
and opposite the Honor Roll, made a fine place to carry out the prepared program. 
The veranda at the Hughes residence was prettily decorated with baskets of 
flowers and served as a platform for those taking part in the ceremonies. A 
loudspeaker system was installed so all could hear throughout the business 
section. Long before the hour set for the dedication exercises, two o'clock, P. 
M., people began to gather and autos took available parking space. Arthur L. Bray 
very efficiently presided. Monson band was assembled on the spacious lawn in 
front of the Hughes home. Very soon after 2 o'clock, Mr. Bray announced the 
opening of the program, a selection by the band. Prayer was offered by Rev. 
Joseph Griffiths, pastor of the Methodist Church in Guilford. The Honor Roll was 
unveiled and God Bless America sung by the all male chorus Fred M. Hescock, Paul 
A. Jackson, Guy O. Hammond, George P. Pullen, W. W. Pullen, Robert I. Roberts of 
Dover-Foxcroft, and audience. Mr. Bray next read the names on the Honor Roll and 
as the Gold Star Names were read, five in number, three in World War I and two in 
World War II, beautiful baskets of flowers were placed in front of the Honor Roll 
by five girls - Lucinda Forbus, Janet Bjork, Carolyn DeSano, Evelyn Simmons and 
Doris Nelson in memory of the boys who have made the supreme sacrifice. This was 
followed by the playing of the Star Spangled Banner by the band. Mr. Bray 
introduced the guest speaker of the afternoon, Captain Brower L. Pernet of the 
Air Force, Dow Field, Bangor, Maine. Captain Pernet expressed his great pleasure 
at being present at this occasion and complimented the people of Monson for their 
deep interest in erecting such a beautiful Honor Roll. After another selection by 
the band, Chief Dennis C. Weeks of the Monson Fire Department, sponsors of the 
Honor Roll, presented it to the town and it was accepted by Lyle C. Towne, 
chairman of the board of selectmen of the Town of Monson. The band played several 
more selections and Rev. Griffiths pronounced the benediction.

THE HONOR ROLL

The plot of ground where the honor roll stands had been previously leveled and 
seeded and is now covered with green grass. Iron posts set in cement support the 
tablet which is seven feet wide and eight feet high. The frame is of wood painted 
white, on either side a raised victory V adorns the top with U. S. A. 
perpendicularly arranged below and the letters also raised, these emblems being 
painted in gold color. The panels enclosed in the frame are of slate, the top 
bears the inscription - Monson Honor Roll - on a field that has been 
sand-blasted. The main panel is of slate 48 x 60 inches, in the upper section the 
names of World War I veterans, 58 in number appear and in the lower section those 
of World War II, 109 at the present time. The names are in bronze and fastened to 
the slate background. Plate glass covers the entire main panel. Much credit is 
due to the members of the Monson Fire Dept. for their untiring effort and hours 
of work to complete this beautiful Honor Roll. In the spring of 1984, the Honor 
Roll was repaired and moved to its present location in front of the Municipal 
Building. In 1987, James Huff, with the help from other Boy Scouts earning their 
Eagle Scout Badge, added the "wings" and names honoring the Korean and Vietnam 
Veterans. The existing Honor Roll was dismantled in 1996 and replaced with a new 
structure in 1997 by the Towne-Holmbom Legion Post #116. The new structure has 
the original slate top panel on which is engraved, "Monson Honor Roll" from the 
first honor roll erected on July 30, 1944. The slate background has been replaced 
with one made of wood on which have been placed the new name brass plates of WWI, 
WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans. Plate glass covers the entire panel. The 
original brass eagle and balls have been placed on top of the new structure.


SURRENDER OF JAPAN CELEBRATED IN MONSON (Taken from the Piscataquis Observer, 
Aug. 23, 1945, Written by Earle Jackson)

Elaborate programs carried out Tues. and Wed. nights-The citizens of this quiet 
little town, nestled among the beautiful hills and mountains of Piscataquis 
County, were on the alert Tues. evening, August 14th, as they have been for the 
past 4 or 5 years, for the welcome news all have been longing to hear - the end 
of the war. Early evening broadcasts announced that at 7 o'clock important news 
would be given out and it is safe to say that every radio was tuned in to get 
that announcement. It came as scheduled and the townspeople let loose the joy in 
their hearts in their own individual ways. The fire siren blew for a full 15 
minutes, it sounded sweet to the ear, much sweeter than in the dead hour of night 
for a fire. Automobile horns took up the refrain throughout the town and in the 
distance the powerful Portland-Monson Slate Co. whistle echoed back. The peal of 
the church bells added to the noise. Monson band quickly assembled in front of 
the town hall and dispensed stirring music until darkness covered their music. An 
impromptu parade of happy mothers, wives, sisters and sweethearts, as well as 
many children, grabbing anything they could make a noise upon, paraded back and 
forth on Main Street and the band played on. At times the whistles, horns and 
noise of the paraders nearly drowned out the band. Later during the evening 
several cannon shots reminded the inhabitants that the war was ended. The 
American Legion opened their hall and free dancing was enjoyed for several hours, 
music furnished by Frank Hughes, Alvin Cowan, Orman Kronholm and Archie Johnson. 
For several days previous, this momentous moment had been anticipated and a group 
of business men had gathered to quickly formulate a plan for celebrating the glad 
news, if and when it came. The final arrangements were left with George P. 
Pullen, president of the local board of trade, and prominent hardware dealer and 
Eugene E. Bickford, the local efficient electrician. Wednesday, August 15th was 
Monson's big day and the history of the town will record it as a most 
outstanding. An overcast sky dashed the hopes of early risers but in the early 
forenoon this burned away and the remainder of the day was most beautiful. A 
church service opened the day's program at 8:30 o'clock conducted by Rev. Ruth 
Jackson, pastor of the United Church and held in the Baptist Church which was 
filled with people who attended to give thanks for a victorious end to this most 
terrible war of all time. Appropriate hymns were sung, Mrs. George P. Pullen, 
organist. Scripture reading, Mrs. Jackson. The speaker of the service was Rev. 
George Flower, pastor of the Assembly of God Church and his remarks was listened 
to very attentively. A moment of silent prayer was given in memory of those who 
have made the Supreme Sacrifice. At 10 o'clock a parade of the town was started 
with George P. Pullen leading dressed as Uncle Sam, next came the Monson Band 
followed by Oral A. Towne Post, A. Legion including service men and ex-service 
men of W. W. II. A thrill passed over the throngs of people on the street and in 
the cars to see Sgt. Robert L. Greenleaf of the Air Force marching in the ranks, 
a prisoner of war in Germany for 14 months. Troop 119, Boys Scouts, Eugene E. 
Bickford, Scoutmaster, followed and two columns of women, many of them dressed in 
costume, numbering more than 50 together with a lot of children. Last but not 
least was D. C. Weeks' truck bearing an effigy of Hirohito. The line of march was 
upper Main to Center to Pleasant to Main to Tenny to Lower Main to Water and back 
to the Town Hall where it disbanded at noon. The program for the afternoon was 
held at the bandstand on Monson Academy grounds. Hundreds of cars parked upon the 
grounds and along Main Street to enjoy this program. The Program: --- Prayer, 
Rev. George Flower; salute to the flag, led by Troop 119, Boy Scouts, Selection 
"Dawn in the Forest", Monson Band; singing "America", audience and band; 
selection, "Faith of our Fathers", male quartet, Paul A. Jackson, Fred M. 
Hescock, Winifred W. Pullen, George P. Pullen; address, Albert Boyer; duet, Rev. 
and Mrs. George Flower: selection. "Stella Polka", Paul Jackson, baratone and 
band; selection, male quartet. At this point in the program all service men and 
ex-service men were asked to assemble near the bandstand and Arthur L. Bray, in 
behalf of the citizens of Monson welcomed them and assured them Monson deeply 
appreciated the fine work done in this war. Chorus singing led by George Pullen, 
Mrs. Pullen, pianist, was entered into very enthusiastically and greatly enjoyed 
by all. This program came to an end with Star Spangled Banner- played by band. 
Special mention should be made of the address given by Albert Boyer, a veteran of 
W. W. II and served in the Merchant Marines in W. W. II. His talk was timely and 
intensely interesting. Monson is proud to have as fine a speaker among its 
citizens. The day ended with street dancing at 7 o'clock in front of the 
bandstand, this section having been roped off and traffic routed via Center 
Street and this lasted until late into the night, music being furnished by the 
same group that played the night before assisted by Urho Suomi, accordion and 
Philip Knight, drums. A highlight in this street dance was the presence of Mr. 
and Mrs. John R. Flint, octogenarians, who tripped the light fantastic along with 
the teenagers. The burning of Hirohito ended a great day for Monson. The 
committee did a fine job of arranging this day's program and the committee are 
very grateful to all who assisted in carrying out the program. Much credit is due 
the Monson Band for their music and one committee man said "A band such as Monson 
possesses, aided greatly in the celebration".

V-E DAY The end of W. W. II was celebrated quietly in May of 1945


MONSON ACADEMY CELEBRATES AUG. 23, 1947 (Taken from Piscataquis Observer dated 
Aug. 28, 1947) Written by Earle H. Jackson

The founding of Monson Academy 100 years ago was fittingly observed Saturday by 
the citizens of the Town. The parade was formed at Sears field near the former 
Monson Railroad station. Soon after 1 o'clock the line was ready to move, headed 
by State Police officer Harold Gleason; Uncle Sam in costume (J. Record Pullen); 
color guard from the American Legion; Monson band, Earle H. Jackson, director; 
Trustee's float; class of 1892-1893 (wagon); Winter Carnival float; Class of 
l902, 1905; Dramatic Club float; class of 1913, 1917, 1921; Amos S. Knight's car 
with the oldest male citizen in town, Wallace E. Howard, 88; class of 1922, 1927; 
Merchants' float; class of 1928, 1932; Tenny Hill float; class of 1933, 1937; 
Monson Fire Department, Arthur E. Haggstrom, chief; Class of 1938, 1943; 
Moosehead Woodcrafter's float; class of 1944, 1947; girl scouts on bicycles, 
school boys on bicycles, doll carriages (decorated), boys and girls in costume. 
The floats were all very nice as were the many cars carrying the different 
classes, the bicycles were decorated and the doll carriage section, numbering 
more than 25, was very pretty to view. The Tenny Hill float scheme was the Little 
Red Schoolhouse, teacher, pupils, school bell, dunce and boys playing hookey from 
school fishing. This float took first prize; 2nd prize, class of 1892-1893; 3rd 
prize, class of 1913; 4th prize; merchants' float. The parade proceeded up Water 
St. to Main, to Pleasant, to Center St., to Main St., going south to Tenny St. 
across to Main St., going north to the Academy grounds where the parade 
disbanded. Immediately following the parade, the band gave a short concert in the 
bandstand on the Academy grounds. Their opening number was a stirring march, 
"Pride of Maine", composed by Heywood S. Jones, director of the Shrine band, Anah 
Temple, Bangor. Their next numbers were "Dynamic Overture", Huff; and "Garden of 
Dreams Serenade", Lincoln. A public address system had been installed and 
President Stanwood R. Pullen of the Alumni Association called upon Dr. Jesse 
Thomas of New York to offer prayer. Earl Hutchinson of the State Department of 
Education, Augusta, was the speaker of the day and his address was listened to 
very attentively by the large crowd assembled. The Academy building was open to 
visitors and registration of those entering was conducted by members of the 
alumni. Many photos, diplomas, and graduation dresses of years gone by were on 
display. From 5:30 to 7:00, supper was served in the Masonic banquet rooms by the 
Community Church Circle and many partook of this fine meal. At 8 o'clock an 
entertainment program was presented in the Masonic Hall. The program: address of 
welcome, Mrs. Esther Pennington; response, Lawrence W. Rogers, class of 1905, 
manager of school and library division of the Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. New 
York, N. Y.; selection, quintet, W. W. Pullen, G. P. Pullen, G. O. Hammond, F. M. 
Hescock, P. A. Jackson; selection, musical saws, F. M. Hescock and Frank Hughes; 
piano solo, Miss Corrine Johnson; history of Monson Academy, Mrs. Donald 
MacPherson; clog dance, Frank Hughes; selection, quintet. Piano accompanists were 
Mrs. Mabel Pullen and Miss Pearl Sargent. Dancing followed with music by the Four 
Joe's, with nearly 300 in attendance. Special mention should be made of the 
Trustees' float, decorated in red, white and blue and drawn by W. W. Pullen's 
span of horses with Mr. Pullen, President of the Trustees, driving. It depicted 
the old M. A. school room with Donald MacPherson impersonating Prof. W. S. 
Knowlton Seated at the old desk. Pupils, Irene Korsman, Beverly Ulman, Edward 
Simpson, and Arthur Nesberg. Further mention and description of the 2nd prize 
award was that of a well decorated surry, the driver was Andrew Bates of the 
class of l893, and seated in the back seat were Mrs. Ethel Hescock and Mrs. Mary 
Davis, class of 1892, looking charming in attire worn in the '90's. A class 
showing loyal spirit was that of 1902, with all of their living members present 
and who marched in the parade: Bessie Jones Thombs, Eda Johnson Anderson and 
Lilla Lambert Smith. The class of 1939 had the largest number registered. Prof. 
Ray Jones of Baltimore, Maryland, came the longest distance to attend. The 
Masonic hall and dining room were most attractively decorated. Much credit is due 
the very efficient chairman, Esther Pennington, and her committee for making this 
a red letter day in the history of Monson Academy. The first prize of $5 received 
by the Tenny Hill group for their float was given by them to the Community Hall 
fund. (Note: the two pictures printed were - The Red School House [Tenny Hill], 
and the Trustee's float.) On the Little Red School House float were Mrs. Maila 
Korsman, Mrs. Gertrude Donahue, Mr. & Mrs. Jorma Ranta, Mrs. Lona Suomi, Mrs. 
Sadie Lewis; and the following children: Rena Korsman, Eleana Ranta, Kenneth 
Donahue, Sonny Conley, Jerry and Janet Daigle, Barbara, Peter. Robin and Peggy 
Weymouth.

OLD HOME SUNDAY

Sunday, Aug. 24, 1947, will be observed as Old Home Sunday and it seems fitting 
that Rev. Jesse Thomas of New Rochelle, N. Y., will be the speaker as he is the 
son-in-law of the late Dr. Shailer Mathews who for many years delivered the 
sermons on Old Home Sunday. Following the church service those who desire to do 
so may take their lunches to the Pullen farm for a picnic, weather permitting. 
Bray's bus will run. Plan to make August 23 and 24th a red letter day for you and 
your family. Soft ball game at 10:30 a. m. and 3:00 p. m. between a town team and 
Alumni team. $1.00 prize for best decorated doll carriage. $5.00 prize for best 
float in parade. General Committee: Chairman, Esther Pennington. Eloise Stevens, 
Oswald Poole, Dana Williams, Arthur Day, Roy Davis, and Amos Knight. Program 
Committee: Mrs. Dorothy Thomas, Mrs. Madeline Pullen and Mrs. Jeanette Hall. 
Decorating Committee: Mrs. Erma Johnson, Mrs. Helen Johnson and Mrs. Lurene 
Houston. Sports - in charge of Oswald Poole. Historical Committee: A display of 
old photographs and other items of historical interest were collected by Mrs. 
Mildred Heaney, Phyllis Steward and Clara Carlberg.


MUNICIPAL BUILDING - Built in 1969 1972 Photo


MUNICIPAL BUILDING - 1997


MONSON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. (Photo taken by Stan Stromback in July 1971)


MONSON VOLUNTEER FIREMEN (Photo taken in 1990 by Gary Knowles) 1937 Ford Buffalo 
Ladder Truck & Restored Hose Cart


Arthur Haggstrom John Ruksznis Charter Member - Served 30 yrs. Served on Fire 
Dept - 51 yrs. Fire Chief - 15 yrs. Fire Chief - 17 yrs.


Paul Allen Served on Fire Dept. - 47 yrs. Assistant Chief - 17 Years


1990 GMC FIRE TRUCK Dedicated to John Ruksznis and Paul Allen March 3, 1990


MAIN STREET - BEFORE THE FIRE OF JANUARY 12, 1897


MAIN STREET - After the fire of Jan. 12, 1897 (Note: Lake Hebron Hotel in 
background)


L-R: J. Davison, Sprague's Law Office and Meeting Room (RatHole), Jesse Rogers, 
Mills & Sprague - before 1911 fire. Main St.


L-R: Mills & Sprague, A.F. Jackson, Masonic Hall. Before 1911 fire. (Jackson's 
Store - 1972 site of Veteran's Honor Roll and present site of town's bulletin 
board)


MAIN STREET - L-R: A. Bray Store, Post Office, R. Hescock's Drug Store, Lars 
Sellberg and J .F. Sprague House, before 1910 fire. (Note: Bray's Store wasn't 
burned)


MAIN STREET, R-L: J.F Sprague's House, R. Hescock, A. Bray, Masonic Block, etc. 
before 1910. (Note: Left on Photo - A. Daine's Hardware Store - 2nd Story: 
Telephone Office)


Genevieve Jackson Beckwith. Organizer of the Tisbury Manor Chapter DAR


Dedication of Moosehorns by DAR on Oct. 29, 1961.


L-R: Beatrix Jackson Bray, Stella Pullen Hughes, Mrs. Harry Grover (State 
Regent), Ralph Dunbar (State Highway Comm.) Thurley Steward Knowles, and Eloise 
Steward Stevens.


V-J DAY PARADE V-J DAY PARADE August 15, 1945 C. Bishop, G. Pullen and A. 
Haggstrom


KNIGHT'S STORE WINDOW - W.W.II Soldiers Pictures


MONSON HONOR ROLL 1972 MONSON BANDSTAND Main Street - 1944 Moved June 21, 1988 
onto former site of Monson Academy


MONSON ACADEMY MONSON ACADEMY 100th Anniversary Parade 100th Anniversary Parade 
"Carnival Ball King & Queen" "Little Red Schoolhouse" Tenney Hill Float


BAND LEADER - Walter C. Jackson


MONSON BAND (Early Picture)


MONSON BAND ON MAIN STREET (Photo taken in late 1930's)


1909 Basketball State Champions. (Note: Players' names listed in write up)


1932 BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONS (Note: Players' Names Listed in Writeup)


1968 BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONS (Note: Players' Names Listed in Writeup)


HISTORY OF THE MONSON BAND (Taken from the history written for the 25th 
Anniversary of the Band)

The Monson Cornet Band was organized September 15, 1887, largely through the 
efforts of John S. Greenlief, E. T. Hescock, and Walter C. Jackson. Mr. Greenlief 
was at that time leader of Dyer's Band of Foxcroft. Mr. Hescock had been a member 
of the Abbot Band, and W. C. Jackson had played in orchestra for about two years. 
Those present were H. E. Morrill, G. H. Wilkins, E. T. Hescock, George Jule, 
Samuel Sanborn, E. H. Wheeler, F. M. Hescock, W. M. Knight, John Hall, E. M. 
Pullen, and W. C. Jackson. The following officers were elected: G. H. Wilkins, 
Business Manager: W. C. Jackson, Leader; H. E. Morrill, Assistant Leader; E. T. 
Hescock, Secretary and Treasurer, and a committee was chosen to draw up a code of 
by-laws. John C. Greenlief was engaged as teacher. The first lesson was given in 
one of the office rooms of the old Masonic building. The following were present: 
George Jule, Samuel Sanborn, W. C. Jackson, E. H. Wheeler, F. M. Hescock, W. M. 
Knight, John Hall, E. T. Hescock, G. H. Wilkins, H. E. Morrill, E. M. Pullen, 
Lewis Hall, William Pennington and Roy Hescock. The instruments were picked up in 
different places, several being purchased from parties in Milo where a band had 
just disbanded. The band received one lesson each week from their teacher, and 
rehearsed one evening under the direction of the leader. This was continued 
during the winter and such good progress was made that on February 22, a concert 
was given with the assistance of local singers and players, at which a good sum 
was realized. The lessons were continued until the last week of March, when Mr. 
Greenlief decided to go West. The M. C. Band made its first appearance on parade, 
May 30, 1888, when they furnished music for the Memorial Day exercises at Monson. 
On June 18, 1888, the ladies of Monson gave a benefit from which some $42.00 as 
obtained. The first engagement out of town was August 17, 1888, when they played 
for a rally at Greenville. During the campaign the band played in several 
different towns in the county and on Sept. 1st, with two other bands, played for 
a county mass meeting at Dover, at which the late Hon. James G. Blaine was one of 
the speakers. November 13, 1888, Prof. H. R. True was engaged as instructor, and 
he gave them fourteen lessons in all, and under his able instruction the band was 
much improved. At this time the band was meeting in the G.A.R. Hall, but on the 
night of December 28, 1888, this building, with two others, was entirely 
destroyed by fire. The band lost a cornet, two drums, and several music books, 
and until the hall was rebuilt, they held their rehearsals in the schoolroom in 
the Academy. On May 15, 1889, they purchased their first uniforms from Henderson 
& Co., Philadelphia. They were navy blue trimmed with gilt braid, and they made 
their first appearance on May 30, 1889. On July 4, 1889, the band got up a 
celebration, furnishing music, and in the evening having a drama at Tarr's Hall. 
On April 22, 1890, the band gave a concert in which they were assisted by the 
late Miss Mammie Bush of Foxcroft, whose whistling solos were a feature. On July 
4, 1892, the band furnished music at the opening of the Milo driving park, and as 
the bass section was a little light at this time, the late H. G. Pratt of 
Foxcroft was hired for this job, and he aided much in making it a success. Up to 
this time, the band had been purely a brass band, but now clarinets were added, 
which was a great help to the organization both as regards to tone and 
efficiency, as they were now able to take up music, before they were prevented 
from touching for lack of a reed section. About this time the word "cornet" was 
dropped from the name, and the organization has since been known as the Monson 
Band. In November, 1892, arrangements were made with Prof. W. S. Ripley of 
Boston, to come and give the band lessons for a week, and he gave the first 
lesson on Nov. 7th. Every member was present each night, and such good work was 
done that on the next Monday evening a concert was given under the direction of 
Prof. Ripley from which enough was realized to pay for the lessons, and the band 
was much benefitted by this work. On June 28, 1893, the band accompanied Gerry 
Post G.A.R. to Abbot, the occasion being the dedication of the soldiers' 
monument. On Oct. 21st, they accompanied the same organization to Foxcroft for 
the purpose of dedicating a soldiers' monument at that place. On June 13, 1903, a 
set of new uniforms were purchased from the Cincinnati Regalia Co., Cincinnati, 
Ohio. These were dark blue, trimmed with black mohair braid. July 15, 1904, the 
band accompanied Onaway Lodge to Guilford on the occasion of the dedication of 
the Odd Fellows' Hall. In all these years there have been but a few players who 
have come in from other places, and all additions had to be made from new 
material, started at the beginning, and worked up. The spring of 1905, brought a 
player of unusual ability. Knut Felix Ohnan, who was Finnish, and a baritone 
player equal to any in New England. Having played for many years in the old 
country, his work on this beautiful instrument was a marvel to all. With his help 
the band was able to handle a much higher grade of music, and they soon became 
known as a concert band of much ability. Mr. Ohman remained with the band about a 
year and a half. The band attended the grand carnival at Dover, Aug. 22, 1908, at 
which there were ten bands present. One of the features was the rendering of 
several numbers by a consolidated band of 209 players. On Sept. 9, 1910, the band 
attended the band carnival at Penobscot Park where nine bands were present. May 
9, 1911, a new set of uniforms were bought. These were the regulation A. F and M. 
uniform, and up to date in every particular. May 12, 1911, the band gave its 
concert and dance, with a good program, and the full band furnished the music for 
dancing. October 1, 1912, in company with three other bands, they furnished music 
for the Centennial Parade and celebration of the Town of Foxcroft. The band 
played at every Decoration Day at Monson since it was organized, and for several 
years for the memorial services of fraternal orders in June. There were many 
changes in the membership of the band over all the years, and in 1912, the 
director was the only one of the original members that remained. At the close of 
the season of 1912, the following made up the band: Earle H. Jackson, Frank 
Wentworth, Levi Flint, Arthur Fogg, J. H. Gilbert, W. C. Jackson, G. L. Brown, 
Harold Campbell, J. R. Flint, L. A. Thomas, Fred Stanchfield, Austin Brown, Frank 
Hughes, Carroll L. Jackson, Fred W. Elliott, W. W. Pullen, E. W. Farrar, A. L. 
Farrar, H. W. Wing, Malcolm Dane with W. C. Jackson as director. The band was 
under the direction of Walter C. Jackson for 34 years. W. C. Jackson's father 
taught him to read music, and as there was no one nearer than Dover to instruct 
him, he taught himself. He was chosen leader because he could play a little, and 
the others could not, as he quaintly expressed it. Each winter he taught between 
10-20 pupils, each on different instruments. After the death of W. C. Jackson in 
January of 1922, the following directed the band: Carroll Jackson, Frank M. 
Larson, Paul Nelson, Paul Jackson, and Earle H. Jackson. From 1920 until its 
disbandment, the following are those members who participated in the Monson Band: 
(Note: dates of memberships were unavailable and we apologize for those names 
that have been excluded through lack of information and unavailable records.) 
Frank Larson, Felix Mattson, Max Forbus, Harvey Gilbert, Evold Jorgensen, Francis 
Marshall, Earle Jackson, Roland Jacobson, Frank Wentworth, Thayer Smith, Carroll 
Jackson, Fred Stanchfield, Frank Hughes, Bill Jacobson, Austin Brown, Paul 
Nelson, Anselm Swanson, Oscar Nelson, Milton Stanchfield, Frank Nelson, Elmer 
Lindie, Sam Ulman, Walter Steward, Merton Grover, Arthur Bjork, Byron Kallgren, 
Harry Wing, Grace Nelson Nace, Leroy Jacobson, Junior Larson, Robert Zimmerman, 
Lawrence Hammond, Ernest Farrar, Kenneth Simpson, Oscar Ulman, Alex Stromback, 
Arthur Farrar, Fred Ellliot, Maurice Lebree, Donald Davis, Thor Stromback, Swen 
Nelson, Millard Lord, Elwood Lord, Lawrence Gilbert, Horace Gilbert, Pauline 
Gilbert Mattson, Merle Finley, Edward Gilbert, Harold French, Therese "Patsy" 
Nelson Johnson, Ronald Jacobson and Paul Jackson. Flag Bearers - Althea French, 
Carlene B. Bickford, Marion J. Sandy (for the years 1943-45) In the 1940's, the 
Monson Band traveled to Guilford and Abbot to play and march for their Memorial 
Day Celebration. The last uniforms were bought in the late 1930's. Around 1950, 
one of Monson's most enjoyable asset was brought to an end. Many of the 
instruments were donated to Monson Academy for use in school activities. A 
bandstand was built about 1930 by the Monson Band under the direction of Frank 
Bray, on the lot which was then owned by Fred Crane and where Lake Hebron Hotel 
once stood. The lot between the former John Durham (now Thomas Hall) and James 
Durham (now Worden Smith) homes. The lumber was donated by George Pullen and 
other townspeople donated time, labor, and other needed materials. Arthur L. 
Brown, gave the address at the dedication ceremony. On June 21, 1944, it was 
moved in front of the Academy building. Band concerts were held every Thursday 
night in the bandstand. Harry Davis is remembered by many for reciting the 
Gettysburg Address on Memorial Day for many years. The band stand was moved, in 
1988, to its present location on the site of the old Monson Academy building. It 
was placed on a cement slab and painted the same year. Since 1994, the Monson 
Historical Society have sponsored a band concert, once a year, with the Community 
Band of Dover-Foxcroft. The Towne-Holmbom Legion Post uses the lower half as a 
concession stand during town events.


MONSON ACADEMY'S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL TEAMS

Monson has been the home of some of the finest basketball teams in the state. 
Three Monson Academy basketball teams proved themselves by winning the State 
Championship title in 1909, 1932, and 1968. In 1909, the Monson Academy five 
were: Elmer Bigger, Howard Sanborn, George Pullen, Merton Grover, Merton Sears, 
with Edward Johnson as their coach. In 1932, Monson Academy was victorious over 
Washington Academy with the score 37-26. That year the team was made up of the 
following line-up: Oscar Suomi (captain), Oswald (Cookie) Poole, Millard 
Emanuelson (Ollie), Stanford Stromback, Earl Brasier, Philip Soderquist, George 
Carlson, Forrest Stevens (Mike), George (Savve) Larson was their coach. Harold E. 
Carson was principal of Monson Academy at that time. In 1968, the Monson Academy 
Slaters once again took the title which was the last ever to represent Monson 
Academy as an entity. The Varsity team won over the Casco "Loggers" at the 
Exposition Building in Portland with a score of 64-57. Those responsible for the 
great showing were Roy Taylor (Captain), Cyril (Bud) Leavitt, Richard (Dick) 
Woodard (Co-Captain), Gregory Lander, Stuart Anderson, Jeffrey Greenleaf, Steven 
Bray, Edward Kronholm, with Gary Webb as their coach. Douglas Nelson and Ronald 
Harris were managers. Craig Anderson and James Crockett were on the varsity squad 
the first half of the year. March 9, 1968 was the big day for the Slaters. That 
night the townspeople gave a victory homecoming reception for the team. The bus 
was met at the Abbot-Monson Town Line by a Cavalcade of cars, sirens, police, and 
fire engines which escorted them to the gymnasium. The Main Street and school 
yard were both lined with lighted torches. A small program followed with speeches 
by Principal Antonio Paradis, Coach Gary Webb, and Rev. Douglas Brayton. 
Refreshments were served and a social time followed with a musical program by Bob 
and Charles Denbow on the electric organ and the guitar. Later dancing was 
enjoyed with the music by the Vipers of Greenville. On April 11, 1968, the 1968 
State Championship team was once again feted at the annual Basketball Banquet 
sponsored by the Alumni Association.

MONSON SLATER TOWN BASKETBALL TEAM

In 1932, Monson also had a victorious professional Basketball Team. Those 
participating in that were the following: Aubrey Kronholm, Mike Bennett, Wilbur 
Kronholm, Roland Johnson, Charles Douglass and Edwin Holmbom. This Monson Slater 
Town Team won the Professional County Basketball Championship and also won a 
championship for professionals in Bangor.


MONSON ACADEMY TRACK TEAM

The first County Track Meet was held at Dover-Foxcroft on May 19, 1934. Although 
it was the first track meet in the history of the county it proved very 
successful. Monson Academy, led by Captain Eino Suomi, won the County 
Championship with a total of 48.75 points while Milo High School came through 
with 46.50 points to win second honors. The letter men were: Captain Eino Suomi, 
Robert Zimmerman, Philip Soderquist, Clayton Jackson, Clifton Jackson, Galen 
Wentworth, and George Carlson.


SCENIC POINTS


MONSON POND - ELLIOTTSVILLE ROAD


LAKE HEBRON Looking from Indian Point towards Monson Village


#65


HOMER HILL - (Old Photo) Foreground - Dore Farm Background - Homer Farm


Photo #65A


HOMER HILL 1997 Present home of Dorothy Forbus


INDIAN POINT ON LAKE HEBRON (Old Photo) 1972-Charles Finch Cottage 1997-Gerald & 
Ruth Finley


LAKE HEBRON - (Old Photo) Looking towards Russell Mountain from Hebron Slate 
Quarry - Pleasant Street


Rain-In-The-Face and Family Last Indian Family to live on Indian Point


INDIAN POINT Boat with stack is the Molly Tomah II. (Old Photo)


1997 MONSON'S OLDEST CITIZENS


MRS. BESSIE BROWN At 92, the oldest resident of Monson, was presented the Boston 
Post cane by Town Manager Jeanne "Gina" Reed at the Brown Family reunion on 
Memorial Day, May 27, 1996.


DOROTHY FORBUS PRISCILLA ROBINSON


ETHEL HOLMQUIST ISABELLE RYDER


CHRISTINE PACKARD DAISY STRETZ


PERSONALITIES

1972 - MONSON'S OLDEST SENIOR CITIZENS:

MRS. MARGARET BROWN POOLE - was born November 25, 1877, on Prince Edward Island, 
Canada. She came to Monson at the age of six and attended Monson's public 
schools. She married Carl Poole of Monson on June 8, 1895. They had five 
children: Margaret Poole Bishop, Hazen, Thomas, Sheldon, and Oswald. Mrs. Poole 
had 12 grandchildren. She was presented the Boston Post Cane in 1970. She died on 
September 17, 1972 at Brown's Nursing Home. (Note: 1997 - all of her children are 
deceased)

MRS. MAUDE YOUNG BRAY - was born January 31, 1878 in Sherman Mills, Maine. She 
came to Monson to attend Monson Academy. Mrs. Bray married Willie Alden Bray 
March 7, 1896. They had two daughters: Lucille Bray Thomas and Vivienne Bray. 
Mrs. Bray had five grand-children. She was presented the Boston Post Cane in 
1972. Mrs. Bray died April 19, 1973 in Monson. (Note: 1997 - 2 daughters 
deceased)

MRS. ADDIE H. WILLIAMS - born Addie Alice Hayden, May 7, 1879, in Brighton, 
Maine. She came to Monson and married Richard Williams in 1902. They had two 
sons: Aubrey and Dana; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. 
Williams died September 4, 1972 at Brown's Nursing Home. (Note - 1997 - two sons 
deceased)


1997 - MONSON'S OLDEST CITIZENS

MRS. BESSIE BROWN - 93, was born May 9, 1904 in Guilford to Elmer and Alice 
Bennett. She married Edward Brown on June 14, 1925. They had seven children: 
Bruce of Hermon, Helen McCorrison of Milo, Beverly Roberts and Flora Anderson of 
Monson, Charles of Kensington, California, Wayne of Sebec, and Dale of Kittery. 
Mrs. Brown has 21 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. The family lived in 
Elliottsville and moved to Monson 30 years ago. She resides in her home on Tenney 
Hill. Bessie was presented the Boston Post Cane on May 27, 1996, at the age of 
92, and presently holds the honor of Monson's Oldest Citizen.

CHRISTINE (BEANE) PACKARD - 93, was born June 14, 1904 in Wiscasset, Maine. She 
married Burton N. Packard on October 12, 1921. They had two children: Burton N. 
Packard, Jr. (born - 1922, died 1982) and Marlborough A. Packard of Willimantic. 
Mrs. Packard has six grandchildren. Christine ran Packard's Camps on Sebec Lake 
with her husband for many years. She was also Postmistress at the seasonal post 
office located at Packard's camps. Christine is an avid doll collector, cat lover 
and accomplished ceramic painter. She has ties to some of Monson's earliest 
settlers, Royal & Etta Day, through Burton Sr.'s family. Christine resides at her 
home on Norton Hill in Monson.


DAISY ANNA STRETZ - 93, was born November 17, 1904, in Fort Williams, (Cape 
Cottage) Cape Elizabeth, Maine to George and Anna Stretz. She attended Willard 
Elementary School in South Portland, Maine until the age of 12 when her family 
move to New York. There she graduated from Bay Ridge High School and received her 
BA in Education from Hunter College. Miss Stretz taught for 38 years in New York 
City elementary schools until her retirement in 1965. She came back to Maine 
(Packard's Camps in Willimantic) with her mother, two brothers, George and 
Lawrence and one sister, Madeline in 1939. WWII kept the family away from Maine 
until the 1950's. In 1972, Daisy, Lawrence, George and Madeline built and moved 
into their home in Monson. Daisy enjoys watching the birds and small animals. She 
resides with her brother, Lawrence, in their home on the Willimantic Road.

MRS. ISABELLE (McEACHERN) RYDER - 92, was born January 7, 1905 in Greenville, 
Maine. She was the twelfth child of Alan and Martha McEachern. She and James 
Frederick Ryder eloped and were married on August 29, 1922. They had four 
children: Zelma Stevens and Dagmar Greenleaf of Monson, Elena Mace and Bruce 
Ryder of Connecticut. She has seventeen grandchildren, fourteen great 
grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren. Mrs. Ryder left Greenville in 1943 
and worked for Arrow Hart & Haggerman Electric Co for twenty years. In 1981, she 
left Connecticut and now lives in Monson with her daughters.

MRS. DOROTHY (HOMER) FORBUS - 92, was born August 27, 1905 in the family home on 
Homer Hill. She graduated from Monson Academy in 1924 and married Max Forbus on 
September 23, 1925. They had two daughters, Candida Forbus Vernott and Lucinda 
Forbus Niesai. She and her husband owned and operated the Homer Hill Dairy until 
1970 when her husband died. Dorothy worked at Brown's Nursing Home in the 1970's. 
Her hobbies are growing beautiful flowers and bird watching. She has four 
grand-children and five great grandchildren. Her half brother Henry Homer and his 
wife live in Augusta, Maine. Dorothy is the present owner and the fourth 
generation of the family living on the original homestead on Homer Hill except 
for spending the last seven winters in Florida with her daughter Candida. She was 
honored on July 19, 1997 for being the oldest lady alumnus attending the annual 
Monson Academy Alumni Banquet.

MRS. ETHEL M. HOLMQUIST - 91, was born September 8, 1906 in Monson to John H. and 
Amanda (Samuelson) Johnson and died October 19, 1997 at Greenville Hospital. She 
was a 1925 graduate of Monson Academy, 1927 graduate of Beals Business College in 
Bangor and married Arvid Lars Holmquist in 1928. She worked as a secretary to 
Fred Crane of Monson Maine Slate Co. and later secretary to F.G. Marshall at the 
Monson Light and Power Co. She and her husband purchased the General Store in 
Monson from Clarence Brown and operated it until the late 1960's. She was a 
former member of Euclid Chapter, OES and the Rebekahs. Mrs. Holmquist is survived 
by a son, Lawrence G. Holmquist of Lewiston, and two nieces. She was predeceased 
by her husband, one sister and two brothers of Monson.

MRS. PRISCILLA (CHAMPION) ROBINSON - 91, was born September 21, 1906 in Monson to 
William and Cora (Steward) Champion. She is a graduate of Monson Academy and 
Farmington Normal School. She has taught school in Monson, Willimantic, Guilford 
and Abbot, retiring in 1972. She married Leslie W. Robinson in 1931 and raised 
six children. She has fifteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Mrs. 
Robinson was active in Dawn of Hope Grange, serving as organizing matron of the 
Juvenile Grange. She has been a long time member of the Monson Baptist Church, 
serving as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Mrs. Robinson is a 
charter member of the Tisbury Manor Chapter, DAR. She lives in her own home and 
has enjoyed cooking, knitting and crocheting for her many friends and family.

BOSTON POST CANE RECIPIENTS

The Boston Post newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts gave Gold Headed canes to 
towns in Maine in 1909 as advertisement for their newspaper. On the cane reads: 
to be given to the oldest citizen in town. In the town of Monson, the town 
officials gave the cane to the oldest man, not the oldest citizen until 1949 when 
the first woman received it. The following list of names are based on information 
found. Many times the town didn't receive the cane back or it was put away and 
forgotten. Several citizens who should have received it never did. First 
Recipient: Hanson Church Sibley Second Recipient: Almon Vinton Third: Charles 
Sanborn Fourth: Charles W. Morrill Fifth: John Bjork Sixth: William R. Hughes 
Seventh: James Willis Tarr Eighth: Joshua H. Bragdon Ninth: Willie Alden Bray 
Tenth: Wallace E. Howard Eleventh: Mary Hamilton Jones (first woman to receive 
the cane) Twelfth: Ingrid Anderson Olson No record found from 1958 until 1970 
Thirteenth: Margaret Brown Poole Fourteenth: Maude Young Bray Fifteenth: Hilma 
Christine Erickson Holmbom Sixteenth: Evelyn Page Small (she refused cane and it 
was held by the town until 1980) Seventeenth: Esther Johnson Pennington 
Eighteenth: Mildred Buzzell MacPherson Nineteenth: Manghild Olson Emanuelson 
Twentieth: Ruby Wyman Davis Twenty-first: Berenice Abbott Twenty-second: Carolyn 
H. Durham (she refused cane and it was held by the town until 1996) Twenty-third: 
Bessie Brown (She currently holds the cane)


MEMORABLE CITIZENS:

HARRY DAVIS - The memory of Harry Davis will not soon be forgotten to young and 
old alike. The elderly will always remember him as the "Spruce Gum King", being 
the manager of the Eastern Gum Co. of Monson, also as a frequent contributor to 
the Down East Magazine and the Bangor Daily News "Maine Street" column. Mr. Davis 
was active in the business life of Monson and served in many town offices. He was 
an orchardist, lumberman, and saw mill operator. The young will always remember 
him delivering the Gettysburg Address each year at the Memorial Day Exercises. He 
was born in Elliottsville, the son of Harrison and Voda (Corliss) Davis, came to 
Monson after marrying Bessie Hebberd of Brooklyn, N. Y. in 1905 and resided on 
Center St. until his death at the age of 89 on April 29, 1969.

SETH STEWARD- Seth Wyman Steward, Jr., was born at Monson, Maine, May 4, 1844, 
the son of Seth W. and Eliza (Baker) Steward. He married Mary Coan in 1875. They 
had five children: Walter (married Margaret Bigger); Bertha; Maude (married 
Ernest Farrar); Barbara (married Dr. Guy Dore); and Raphall. Bertha and Raphall 
never married. Mr. Steward served in the Union Army. He lived at Monson, Maine, 
Dorchester, Mass. and Plainville, Conn., where he died July 10, 1934. He was 
buried in Monson, Maine. He was in his own words, "a painter, decorator, and 
artist in oil". He also "hung paper and painted carriages". Mr. Steward's only 
formal training was from a Mr. Cameron, a California artist who spent his summers 
at Kineo.

PROFESSOR WILLIAM SMITH KNOWLTON- was born in East Sangerville, Maine, on Oct. 
21, 1839, the son of Isaiah and Lydia (Pollard) Knowlton. Professor Knowlton 
received his higher education at Foxcroft Academy and Waterville College. He 
lived some 25 years in Monson (at different times) and married a Monson girl in 
1867 - Ellen Carr Flanders. They had two daughters, Grace and Ethel. William and 
Ellen Knowlton were married about 40 years. Prof. Knowlton taught at Monson 
Academy for the first time in 1862 and taught 17 years here in all, the last time 
being from 1895-1905. He taught in many different schools in Piscataquis County 
and in other parts of the state. Dr. Knowlton also practiced for a short time as 
a lawyer and was a pastor in Monson for four years. He represented Piscataquis 
County of Maine in both the House and Senate. William S. Knowlton wrote the book 
"The Old School Master" which was printed in 1905. A book was also published 
about Monson people written in poetry form. Prof. Knowlton died in Newport, 
Maine, in May, 1926 at the home of his daughter Miss Ethel Knowlton at age 86. An 
address which he gave on Aug. 19, 1922, at the Monson Centennial Program on the 
educational and religious development, can be found in the Centennial Book.

JOHN FRANCIS SPRAGUE - was born June 16,1848, in Sangerville, Maine, the son of 
Elbridge Gerrish Sprague and Sarah Parsons Sprague. He was the editor of 
Sprague's Journal of Maine History for fourteen years. He also was a lawyer, 
legislator, and historian. In 1874, Sprague was admitted to the Maine Bar 
Association. He moved to Monson in 1879 and lived here until 1910, then moved to 
Dover. In 1922-23, he served as Senator from Piscataquis County. John Francis 
Sprague was crippled in the feet and was called Uncle John by many people. He 
published the following books: "Sebastian Rale" a Maine tragedy of the 18th 
century; "Piscataquis Biography and Fragments"; "The Northeastern Boundary 
Controversy and the Aroostook War"; "Three Men from Maine" - history of the Doric 
Lodge; "Backwoods Sketches" - articles published in Maine Historical Society 
Journal of American History and the Lewiston Journal Magazine. Sprague was a 
self-educated man. He attended common schools until he was 14 years old. He 
adopted the vocation of peddling in the county until 22 years of age. He read law 
in 1873-4 with Alvah Black of Paris Hill. Sprague published his journal from 
March of 1913 until his death on May 7, 1926.

HON. ALBERT WHITNEY CHAPIN - was born June 11, 1841 in Monson, Maine and died 
March 24, 1914. He was the son of Aretas Chapin (born 1806 in Monson, MA) and 
grandson of Capt. Amasa Chapin, (born in 1782, in Monson, MA) who were among the 
first settlers in Monson, Maine. In July, 1862, Albert W. Chapin enlisted as a 
private in Co. E 18th Maine Regiment which was later known as 1st Maine Heavy 
Artillery. He engaged in many battles and was severely wounded in Petersburg. He 
was a prominent business man in Monson, Maine - largely in real estate and one of 
the first to aid in developing the slate industry. He had several homes built on 
So. Main Street and Chapin Ave. Albert Chapin was Chairman of the Board of 
Selectmen, Town Clerk in 1868, as well as other town offices, for many years. In 
1890, he was elected to the State Senate from Piscataquis County. In 1896, Mr. 
Chapin served as postmaster for many years. He was involved in the development of 
Monson. A charter member of Doric Lodge No. 149, F. & A.M., Piscataquis Chapter 
of Foxcroft; member of Loyal Legion, the G.A.R. & U.V.U., Monson Grange, 
Piscataquis Historical Society and a trustee of Monson Academy. Mr. Chapin had 
one of Monson's largest homes (former Brown's Nursing Home) built for his new 
bride. Shortly after their marriage, he died. The Chapin home was purchased by 
Fred & Martha Crane. Mr. Chapin's father, Aretas Chapin, owned the farm and 
buildings of where the former Louise Grover house stood (now Norman Berthiaume) 
before the 1860 fire.

BERENICE ABBOTT - began her work as a photographer in the heyday of Paris as the 
art capital of the world. There, she assisted surrealist artist Man Ray in his 
darkroom in 1921. By 1925, she was taking portrait photographs of avant-garde 
literary figures including James Joyce, Andre Gide, and Jean Cocteau. These 
images have served to define these authors and that period in the public mind. 
Returning to New York in the 1930's, Abbott pioneered modernist photographs of 
the city, with its burgeoning skyscrapers and gleaming bridges juxtaposed with 
everyday storefronts and newsstands. In the 1940's and 1950's, she became 
preoccupied with science, which she considered the most important intellectual 
pursuit of the age. Her career testified to Berenice Abbott's achievements as a 
visual artist and a photographer, but she was a teacher, writer, inventor, and 
historian as well. She helped found the New School for Social Research, where she 
taught for more than twenty years. Many of her photographs capture the changing 
face of the eastern seaboard, and are included in her book "Portrait of Maine", a 
photographic study she began upon moving here in 1966. Berenice Abbott lived 
initially in Blanchard, then retired to her cabin on the shores of Lake Hebron 
where she resided until her death in 1991.


SCENIC POINTS

LAKE HEBRON: In 1890-91, the people of Monson first began to appreciate the 
beauties of the lake and its value as a summer resort. The first cottage on 
Indian Point was owned by Mrs. P. W. Knight (in 1972 owned by Charles Finch of 
N.J. now owned by Gerald & Ruth Finley Trust). Soon after more cottages were 
built namely: Bartlett's (1892) which is now owned by Beatrix Bray of Guilford 
and Mrs. Harriet Crafts (1892) now owned by Josephine Emanuelson. The latter one 
was built by B. B. Steward. In 1922, there were quite a number of summer cottages 
situated at Indian Point. This land was conveyed by Eben and Lucy Bray in 1890, 
when the Lake Hebron Navigation Co. corporation was formed and lots were laid 
out. LHN Co. opened and promoted Indian Point on Lake Hebron as a summer resort. 
An Indian family whose name was "Rainin-the-Face" were the last Indians to live 
on Indian Point. Mrs. Mary F. Jones' father, W. Farrar, built and owned the 
former Wilson Wilkins cottage (now Patrick Wilkins and Nancy Eidle) at Indian 
Point. Judson Cushman owned a cottage on Indian Point that at one time was used 
as a little store. This cottage is now owned by Josephine Emanuelson. The "Loon 
Club" was organized around the 1890's and was situated where the camp formerly 
owned by Francis Marshall's stood. This camp was sold to David Brown in 1978 and 
burned September 4, 1989. A new camp has been built on the same site. Camp 
Comfort which was built in 1882, then owned by Estabrook, is one of the oldest 
camps on the lake. The property is now owned by Leon Savage of Pennsylvania. 
Another unforgettable fixture on the lake was the old Molly Tomah which was built 
around the 1900's and burned in 1911. It was said that she used to carry 
passengers to and from the Loon Club and Indian Point. Another steamer that 
traveled on the lake was called the Henry S. Eaton. Today Lake Hebron is 
surrounded by many cottages and homes. In the early '70's the town developed the 
swimming beach at Whiting's Cove and started having supervised swimming during 
the summer months. In 1990, Monson received a grant from the State of Maine Parks 
and Recreation to build a new boat ramp behind the Masonic building.

MONSON POND: This pond is located on Elliottsville Road and is another vacation 
spot about two miles from Monson Village. It is surrounded by several cottages. 
In 1971 a camping and tenting area called Wildwood Shores was built. Kelley's 
Orchards are located across the road from the pond. A scenic spot when the apple 
trees are in a full bloom in the spring. There are several year round homes 
located on the shores of Monson Pond. The log cottage owned by Rev. Jesse and 
Mary Thomas overlooking Monson Pond burned in 1995. Their son, Shailer Thomas, 
the present owner, is rebuilding a cottage on the site.

HOMER HILL: William Hoar came to Monson in 1826 and located on the land and built 
a house where the present house stands. The only other family living on the hill 
was a family by the name of Gates which sold their land and house (building no 
longer standing) to W. Hoar giving him the title to the whole hill. He sold two 
small parcels of land to the quarries to dump rubbish on. Homer Hill has always 
been a farm. From that time on Homer Hill has remained in the family, generation 
after generation, as follows: William Hoar married Betsy Goodell (daughter of 
Abel Goodell, surveyor). They had two sons - James and Henry. James went to Ohio 
where he changed his name to Homer. Henry also changed his name at the same time 
in 1874. Henry Homer married Sarah Mathews (sister to Robert Mathews' father). 
They had two sons Edward and Wallace and two daughters who died young. Wallace 
never married. Edward Homer married Eliza (Annie) Pennington. They had one 
daughter - Dorothy. Eliza Annie died and Edward remarried Myrtle Cook. They had 
one son - Henry. Dorothy Homer married Max Forbus. They had two daughters, 
Lucinda and Candida. Max Forbus died in Jan. 1970. Dorothy Forbus is the present 
owner and resides at the same location on Homer Hill. Henry Homer moved the 
house, formerly occupied by Goldsmith Harris, from below the Dore Farm on Homer 
Hill. This was the house where William and Betsy Hoar lived in their later years. 
Now occupied by Jane Harris.

MOUNTAINS: The following mountains are seen from several points in and around 
Monson. The most prominent and well-known to the townspeople are: Looking East 
from Monson: Squaw Mountain, Burnt Jacket Mountain, Barren Mountain, Borestone 
Mountain, Rochelle Mountain, Lilly Bay Mountain, Baker Mountain, Houston 
Mountain. Looking West: Russell Mountain, Bald Mountain Range.


SEMI-CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION

The citizens of Monson, Maine met in Academy Hall on Monday, April 22, 1872. 
Selection by the Choir. Chairman A. Chapin, Esq. called the meeting to order and 
made a few remarks about the past fifty years. Prayer offered by Rev. R. W. 
Emerson. Selection by the Choir. Historical address by Charles Davison, Esq. 
Appropriate remarks followed the address by Rev. A. H. Tyler and Hon. S. A. 
Patten. Poem delivered by W. S. Knowlton. Poem by Thomas N. Lord, Preceptor of 
the Academy.

Anecdotes of the early settlers pioneer life and "ye olden tyme" were related by 
J. D. Jackson, Dea. Cushman and Joseph Green. Selections by the choir of grand 
old times. The exercises were closed with the singing of "America". Audience 
invited to the room below and partook of an old fashioned supper, prepared by the 
ladies. Toasts were drank and responses made. The attendance was very good in 
spite of the bad condition of the roads.


THE MONSON CENTENNIAL (Taken from Piscataquis Observer, Thurs. Aug. 24, 1922) 
(Written by - Earle H. Jackson)

Monson very appropriately celebrated the 100th anniversary of the incorporation 
of the town on Saturday, Aug. 19, 1922. The weather man kept the people guessing 
in this town as well as the surrounding towns during the early morning hours, but 
evidently had the affair at heart and early in the forenoon brought forth the sun 
and a better day could not be asked for. The citizens of the town were awakened 
at 6 o'clock sharp by the peal of the church bells and the boom of the cannon. At 
8 o'clock the flag raising took place. Soon after 9 o'clock Chairman A. L. Bray 
of the parade committee and marshal of the day got the parade started which was 
at least as fine as any parade ever seen in this section of Maine. Thirty-five 
different floats, automobiles, and characters made up the parade as follows: 
Marshal of the day, L. Bray; Uncle Sam, represented by L. A. Stanchfield; Monson 
Band, C. L. Jackson, director; Oral A. Towne Post, American Legion, August V. 
Peterson, commander; G.A.R., represented by I. P. Wing and Mrs. I. P. Wing 
represented the W.R.C.; Spanish War Veterans, Chas. Johnson; American Flag, 20 x 
10, carried by school girls; Almon Vinton, Monson's oldest grand old man, aged 94 
years, and Mrs. Amelia Knight, our dear old "Aunt Amelia", age 83, in an old 
fashioned attire and wagon. The next in line were beautifully decorated cars with 
the "Over Eighties", Baptist Church, H. L. Stanchfield represented "Uncle Ben" of 
the early days and pioneer mail carrier of the early days of Monson. A float 
representing 1822 was followed by A. Stromback's prettily decorated touring car, 
a float by Onaway Lodge, I.O.O.F., North Star Rebekah Lodge, Auxiliary to the 
American Legion. Special mention should be made of this float for its beauty and 
touching effect upon all eyes that rested upon it. The driver of this float was 
C. C. Towne whose eldest son was Monson's first contribution to "Flanders' Field" 
in France. Floats representing the Boy Scouts and B.S.W. club were very handsome 
and attractive. Monson's old hand tub and new gasoline fire engine were followed 
by a fine float representing the Portland-Monson Slate Co., G. P. Pullen's float, 
representing his sporting goods department of his hardware store, brought forth 
many favorable comments. Dover-Foxcroft Band, J. H. Taylor, director, was 
followed by handsome floats representing Davison & Hammond's Grain and feed mill, 
D. C. Weeks, wood working, A. L. Brown's general store, P. W. Knight & Sons, dry 
goods, Tom Leeman's mule team, a float arranged by campers at Indian Point, Lake 
Hebron; a float representing the Blaisdell Auto Co. of Dexter, E. H. Jackson, 
Local salesman and containing Miss Beatrix Jackson as a Butterfly and the Jackson 
twins, Clifton and Clayton representing frogs, W. A. Bray's beautifully decorated 
car, Harry Daw's grocery store, A. L. Bray's grocery store, The Eastern Gum Co., 
Harry Davis, Manager, Chase & Kimball's Ford Station and the General Slate Co. 
Both the slate companies represented had trimming machines and men actually 
splitting roofing slate and were very interesting, especially to those from out 
of town. The parade lasted an hour and covered the principal streets of the town. 
The winners of the floats were as follows: First prize, The Auxiliary to the 
Legion, representing Flanders' Field; second prize, Indian Point; third prize, 
Mrs. W. A. Bray. The judges were Dr. O. F. Larson of Machias, Dr. Simmonson of 
Connecticut and G. F. Barnard of Worcester, Mass. Special mention should be made 
of the B.S.W. Club's float which was very dainty and handsome. After the parade 
the Monson band went to Emerson cove where the water sports were held. Mrs. 
Josephine Sherburne of Brookline, Mass. was in charge and presented the 
following: 100 yd. race, won by Milton Prentiss; 50 yd. race for girls, won by 
Vivian Wing; 50 yd. race for boys, won by Roland Jacobson; floating contest, won 
by Vivian Bray, midget race, won by Miss Billie Sherburne of Brookline, Mass.; 
fancy swimming, Vivian Wing; motor boat race, won by H. E. Smith. During the 
water sports the Dover-Foxcroft band furnished pleasing music in Sherman Square 
and for the track events on Main Street opposite the Academy buildings. The track 
events were in charge of Elmer Bigger, a Monson boy and athletic teacher.


THE PROGRAM:

50 yd. dash for boys, won by James Wing; 100 yd. dash, won by Toiva Anderson; 220 
yd. dash, won by Toiva Anderson; 440 yd. dash, won by Aril Palmer; potato race, 
won by Lyle Towne; standing broad jump, won by Laurence Inky; 12 lb. shot put, 
won by Laurence Inky. At noon excellent dinners were served by the Auxiliary in 
the Masonic banquet rooms, The Monson Baptist Society, The Congregational Society 
and numerous individuals. Dinner was served at 50 cents a plate. At one o'clock 
thousands of people gathered on the Academy school grounds to listen to the 
centennial program for which Monson band furnished excellent music. Dr. William 
Smith Knowlton presided, dressed in the garb of his great-grandfather. Dr. 
Knowlton always has something of interest to say and his witty poems are always 
pleasing to listen to. Hon. Dudley P. Bailey of Everett, Mass. and son of the 
first Baptist minister in Monson, was introduced and spoke on "Reminiscences" 
which was very interesting. "A Toast" given by Arthur L. Brown, Monson's gifted 
reader, brought forth a round of applause, John Francis Sprague, A. M., editor of 
Sprague's Journal of Maine History, gave a fine address on "Our New Citizens". 
Dr. W. S. Knowlton, Maine's Old Schoolmaster's Address on "Educational and 
Religious Development", was extremely interesting. "A Look Backward after Fifty 
Years", given by Roland T. Pattern of Skowhegan was very interesting and ably 
given. The speaker of the day was Dr. Shailer Mathews, Dean of Chicago 
University. He took for his subject "Challenge of the Past" and those who did not 
hear his address certainly missed one of the most interesting and able talks ever 
given before an audience here. At 3 :30 the great ball game at Chapin Avenue ball 
grounds between Guilford A.A. and Greenville A.A. was called. Hundreds of 
baseball fans attended. Score: Greenville, 6; Guilford, 5. At seven o'clock the 
Dover-Foxcroft band rendered a very fine and pleasing concert in Sherman Square. 
The grand ball in Spencer's hall at 8 :30 with music by Cobby O'Brien, seven 
piece orchestra of Bangor, closed the great day, a day long to be remembered by 
all present. Chairman F. H. Crane of the Centennial Committee has worked 
unceasingly for weeks that this event might be successful as have all the other 
committees. The town was very prettily decorated with flags as were many private 
buildings. The stores made special decoration among which Harry Daw's window 
representing 1822 and the other window 1922 was very attractive. The Eastern Gum 
Co. had a beautiful display in one of the windows of Welch's Restaurant. An 
estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people were in town from far and near and we hope 
enjoyed themselves as much as Monson people enjoyed having them come. During the 
day nearly 700 people visited the store of Edward Johnson where hundreds of 
antiques were on display. Among some of the antiques were some of the furnishings 
of the famous Blaine Mansion which have been handed down to the family of Mrs. 
Charles Smith, who is a descendant of the original owners of the building. A 
brooch over 600 years old was also loaned by Fred Larson. There was also a large 
collection of relics taken from the battlefields of seven wars. The rooms were in 
charge of Mrs. John Rice Flint and Andria Towne Gerrish. Floats: 1st prize - 
$15.00 - Legion Auxiliary "Flanders Field". 2nd prize - $10.00 - Indian Point. 
Prizes for the other events ranged from $1.00 - $3.00.


1922 MONSON CENTENNIAL PARADE


LEONARD STANCHFIELD Uncle Sam - Monson Centennial August 19, 1922


CENTENNIAL PARADE - MAIN STREET 1922


First Prize - AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY "Flanders Field"


Second Prize - INDIAN POINT FLOAT


BAPTIST CHURCH FLOAT - D.H. Champion, Driver and Rev. Joseph Grosa, Baptist 
Minister - 1922


A. L. BROWN'S GROCERY STORE FLOAT - 1922


PUBLISHERS NOTE: THE AERIAL VIEW OF MONSON WITH HOMER HILL IN BACKGROUND. THIS 
PHOTO WAS REDUCED TO 80% IN OUR 1972 HISTORY BOOK.

NO CAPTION FOR THIS PHOTO


PUBLISHERS NOTE: USE CAMERA READY LETTERS FROM 1972 HISTORY BOOK ON PAGE 5 
(President Nixon's letter)


PUBLISHER: USE CAMERA READY LETTER FROM PAGE 6 OF THE 1972 HISTORY BOOK. (Gov. 
Ken Curtis Letter)


PUBLISHER: USE PHOTO, HEADING AND CAPTION FROM PAGE 7 IN THE 1972 HISTORY BOOK. 
(Sesquicentennial Committee)


PUBLISHER: USE PHOTO'S, HEADINGS AND CAPTION OF PAGE 8 IN THE 1972 HISTORY BOOK. 
(Selectmen, T. Mgr. and T. Clerk)


EVENTS OF MONSON SESQUICENTENNIAL YEAR

A committee to properly celebrate Monson's 150th anniversary informally met 
during December, 1971, with Town Manager Robert Lander, Fire Chief John Ruksznis, 
Mrs. Althea French, Mrs. Joyce Brown, and Mrs. Millicent Robinson filling in for 
her sister, Mrs. Eloise Stevens. This committee, after much discussion and 
perusal of photographs, designed a Sesquicentennial Medal featuring Monson's 
Narrow Gauge Railroad, The Moosehorns, Slate, the kicksled which was invented in 
Monson, Monson Academy, and the first church of Monson which also was the first 
church edifice north of Bangor. Medals were minted in silver to sell at $10.00, 
bronze in lucite to sell at $6.00, and in bronze at $2.50. Only 200 silver medals 
were minted, and all were numbered. In January, 1972 a formal committee was 
organized with Kendrick Benton as Chairman; George Rongner as Co-Chairman and in 
charge of publicity; Robert Lander, Liason Coordinator: John Ruksznis, Parade 
director; Althea French and Joyce Brown, Floats; Joyce Kelley, Costumes; Dorcas 
Leavitt and Gerry Weymouth, Art; Vikki Leavitt, Music. Eloise Stevens represented 
the D.A.R. and Aimee Kugler the United Church Circle. Elizabeth Davis was 
selected as Treasurer. A History Committee was formed at a later date to update 
the history of the Town of Monson, this consisting of Jeanne Reed, Althea French, 
Elizabeth Davis and Joyce Brown. During its town meeting on March 13, 1972, the 
citizens of Monson raised $1,500 for the committee. On March 25-26, Snowmobile 
races were held on Lake Hebron with trophies given as prizes. These races, well 
attended from area towns, were sponsored by six local men, Jim Quartararo, Bud 
Leavitt, Sr., Bud Leavitt, Jr., Jake Smith, Bob Lander and Frank Hanscome. On 
April 15 the annual Fireman's Supper at the Monson Community Church was attended 
by approximately 350 people. On April 22 a Birthday Ball was held in the Monson 
gym with prizes awarded for the most authentic and best judged reproductive 
costumes. Mrs. Joyce Kelley was head judge, assisted by Mrs. Dolores Hughes and 
Mrs.Helen Johnson. Winners were Mrs. Mildred Johnson of Dover-Foxcroft, ladies 
costume; Mr. Charles W. Stevens, men; Kelley Canders, girl student; and Joel 
Greenleaf, boy student. For best reproductions, Mrs. Joyce Lander and Buddy 
Butterfield were the winners. As there were no student reproductions, prizes were 
awarded to two additional authentic costumes worn by Bobbi-Jean Brown and Scott 
Knight. Linda Rongner was in charge of decorations for the ball, which was 
highlighted by the presentation of a birthday cake, made by Phyllis Ruksznis, and 
presented by Bertha Blood and Lillian Knight, descendants of Monson's first town 
meeting moderator, to Town Manager Robert Lander. Stan Robinson served as Master 
of Ceremonies and music for the dance was furnished by the Foxcroft Academy Dance 
Band. The hall was decorated in shades of yellow, blue and white crepe paper. On 
April 28th, the 100th anniversary of Arbor Day was acknowledged with a 
presentation of a flowering crab apple tree from the Tisbury Manor Chapter of the 
DAR to the Monson Elementary School. Presenting was Mrs. Neola Jacobson and 
accepting was Town Selectman Worden W. Smith. On May 20, 1972, a May Festival was 
put on at the Monson Gym by the Elementary School, complete with a fashion show. 
A dance followed with music by "Three Jacks and a Queen". From May 22-27 Monson 
held a Spruce-Up Week, during which time many old cars were towed away, rubbish 
collected, roadsides and homes spruced up, etc. The Boy Scouts helped immensely 
in this community project. 87 junk cars were taken away, Tad Turner loaning a 
pulp loader for the week to pick up and load the cars onto a truck, which then 
were taken to the "pit", Monson's dumping area. In June a poster contest at the 
Elementary School was sponsored by the Sesquicentennial Committee, the theme of 
which was "Keeping Monson Clean". Winners in the sub-primary and grade one were 
Lorna Gary, with honorable mention to Cathy Durham, Stacy Melia, Bruce Erickson. 
In grades 2 and 3 winners were Julie Pride, with honorable mention to Jana Sawyer 
and Donna Allen, and for collective work to Jana Sawyer, Cindy Burke, Tina 
Roberts, and Alisa Beckwith. For grades 4, 5, 6 the winner was Elizabeth Durham, 
with honorable mention to Debbie Erickson, Crystal Anderson, Judy Casey, Lorese 
Freeh, Richard Tompkins, and Ryner Sandberg. Judges were Dorcas Leavitt, Gerry 
Weymouth, and Eleanor Brayton. On June 23rd a "get acquainted" party was held at 
the home of George and Linda Rongner, sponsored by the Sesquicentennial 
Committee, the Selectmen, and Town Manager for the town's guests from the parent 
Town of Monson, Massachusetts. The morning of June 24 (9 :00 A.M.) saw the 
official opening of the Monson Historical Society, sponsored by the DAR, with 
ribbon-cutting ceremonies involving Mrs. Eloise Stevens, Mrs. Neola Jacobson, 
Mrs. Myra K. Moulton, President of the Monson, Mass. Historical Society, and 
Selectman Paul Allen. Robert Lander, Town Manager, presented the Historical 
Society with its first official donation, a check for $25.00 from the Monson 
Sesquicentennial Committee. Following these ceremonies, the guests from Monson, 
Mass. were conducted on tours of the Moosehead Manufacturing Company and the 
Portland-Monson Slate Co. Monson held its parade under threatening skies, with 
John Ruksznis, Parade Director, dressed in coats and tails, leading the way, and 
starting precisely at the scheduled hour of 1:00 P. M. Next in line was "Uncle 
Sam" in the person of Clifford Douglass. Behind Uncle Sam was the Color Guard, 
consisting of Oscar Ulman, Jr., Hilbert Butterfield, Ernest Copeland and Edward 
Kronholm.

The following floats and people participated:

The Hilltoppers 4-H Club A trailer drawn by a tractor. Trailer decorated with 
green and white crepe paper. Contained the 4-H emblem a triangle-shaped board 
with the theme (Learn by doing - Make the best better). Riding on the float was 
Seth Sharpe. Riding on the tractor were Madeline Douglass and Bill Sharpe. 
Marching in front of the float and carrying the American Flag was Nancy Douglass 
accompanied by Dyanna Bjork carrying the 4-H flag.

Tisbury Manor Chapter - D. A. R. Flat bed trailer with a replica of the present 
"Moosehorns" including plaque on rock marker which presented by the DAR.

Bishop's Great Outdoors Trailer. A winter scene on a black sleigh (over 100 years 
old from Plymouth, Maine) with Jean Bishop dressed as Santa Claus. Sleigh pulled 
by a snowmobile. Susan Bishop dressed as Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer. Scott 
Brett, and Kentt Bishop dressed as elves, who threw styrofoam balls to the crowd.


Appalachian Trail Walking unit. Official emblem of the trail on a cart pulled by 
Joel Greenleaf and Kevin Roberts.

Kick Sled Kick sled on wheels pushed by James Douglass. This was the second kick 
sled made by Gust Johnson in Monson.

Replica of the Monson Railroad Engine Constructed on a pick-up frame by Elwin 
French, helped by Robert Lander, Gerald "Bud" Stanchfield and Clarence "Socky" 
Pratt. Driver was Bud Stanchfield and riding with him was Elwin French, the last 
engineer of the Monson narrow gauge railroad.

Robinson's Insurance and Real Estate An antique car with the name of business on 
it, driven by Stanley A. Robinson. Riding with him were Mike, Jill, and Jason 
Hunt. J & J General Store An antique fire engine owned and driven by Gordon 
Mercer. accompanied by Valri Leavitt.

Miscellaneous A little red and black car made by Elwin French several years ago. 
Driven by his grandson, James French, with his daughter Julie riding with him.

South-East Monson Replica of the Vinton District School on a trailer drawn by a 
team of horses owned and driven by Carl Davis of Parkman. Riding on the float was 
Mattie Conley, the oldest resident of South-East Monson, born in Monson.

Wildwood Campground A trailer decorated with trees and greens to depict outdoor 
camping and recreation. Had picnic tables, etc. Riding were two children, 
Christine Sears of Abbot, Maine and Marty Lowell of Monson.

Indian Point Pick-up truck decorated with trees and ferns, depicting the woods. 
In the scene was a teepee with Robert B. Brown, II dressed as a little Indian boy 
sitting inside. Bobbi-Jean Brown dressed as the Indian maiden, and Harold French, 
dressed in Chief Needahbeh's original Indian costume, as Indian Chief. Chief 
Needahbeh belonged to the Penobscot Tribe. Driven by Robert B. Brown, Sr.


Monson Elementary S.A.D. 68 A trailer decorated with the theme "Don't pollute. It 
doesn't compute". Decorated with crepe paper. Riders: Cathy Durham (1st grade), 
Thomas Anderson (2nd grade ) . In a truck, with S.A.D. 68 sign, rode Neil Johnson 
from Dover-Foxcroft and Mr. Savage Supt. of S.A.D No. 68.

Maila Korsman Float A wagon depicting the trip 150 years ago with a sign saying 
"Monson, Mass. to Monson, Maine". Riders, dressed as pioneers, were Maila Korsman 
and children Douglass and Mike Schass from Arizona and Shirleen Korsman of 
Monson.

Monson Community Sunday School Walking unit- a banner with the theme "Jesus loves 
all the little children" carried by Sam Anderson and Lloyd Inabinet. Next, on a 
cart, was a replica of the oldest church of Monson, pulled by Tina Roberts and 
Melissa Robbins. Following were Sunday school pupils dressed to represent 
children of all lands. With them was Mrs. Douglass Brayton in an outfit of 
yesteryear.

Portland-Monson Slate Co. Truck and flat bed trailer, depicting a scene with 
Ellery Kronholm working as a splitter of slate to represent the mills, a hoister 
house, mast and boom with box. In box were Paul Erickson and Sterling Hersey (of 
Abbot) as pit men. Truck driven by James Tatko.

Moosehead Manufacturing Co. One of their tractor-trailers, driven by William 
Ranta.

Towne-Holmbom Auxiliary Unit 116 Car decorated with Auxiliary banner on top and 
the official blue and gold colored crepe paper and decals. Riding was Gold Star 
Mother of World War II, Hilma Holmbom, and 2 charter members, Margaret Bishop and 
Esther Pennington.

Bartlett's Gulf Station Team of ponies owned and driven by Charles Davis of 
Guilford. Me. hauling an old Gulf gas tank.

Kahvila Coffee Shop Trailer on which there was a large wooden cup and saucer. 
Riding in the cup were Vikki and Vanessa Leavitt, Driver: Scott Lander.

Kelley's Orchard Large truck with scene on back depicting an apple orchard with a 
tree decorated with pink and white tissues for apple blossoms. Around the area 
were jugs of cider, apple boxes, pails, and a ladder up in the tree. The bottom 
was covered with green and white crepe paper. Driven by Millard Perkins and 
riding on float were Susan Kelley and Arnette Grant (of Blanchard, Me.).


Women's Club A pick up truck decorated on back with a large birthday cake made 
from cable spools covered with tissues. On top were the numbers (150) for the 
150th birthday of Monson. Driven by President Cindy Turner and riding was Manda 
Brown (one of the oldest Past Presidents) and children Shelley Greenleaf and 
Kelley Canders.

Rebekah's Pick-up truck decorated with flowers made with pink and green tissues, 
the official colors. Decorated also with the official emblem and an open bible on 
a pedestal "Friendship, Love and Truth" on each side. On back 1969 the year of 
consolidation of North Star 38 of Monson with Golden Link 37 of Guilford. Driven 
by Alfred Grant.

United Circle A hay wagon drawn by a tractor. A sign with "United Circle" done in 
gold. Decorated with blue and white crepe paper. Riding and dressed in old 
costumes and sun bonnets were Elza Smith, Mildred MacPherson, Aimee Kugler, 
President, Gertrude Cilley, and Kay Baird.

Finnish Farmers Club Decorated car. Riding were President Sally Olson, and Carl 
Olson of Harmony, Maine, along with Vice President Veikko Vainio, and musicians 
Andrew Kurki and Jorma Ranta of Monson.

Blanchard Float A hay wagon pulled by a team of horses owned by Fred (Fritz) 
Elliott of Blanchard, Maine. Riding in the wagon was a group of Monson children. 
This wagon originally belonged to Charles Erickson and was used as a float in 
Monson's Centennial Parade on August 19,1922.

Clowns Ted Jones and Parker Hall of Kingfield, Maine and Irvin Stevens, Corinna, 
Maine.

Buggy Drivers "Squeek" Edgerly and Mac Drummond from Guilford, dressed as clowns.


Fire Engines Monson's 1937 engine led the fire engine division, with other 
engines from (Greenville, Guilford, Sangerville, Dover-Foxcroft. Antique fire 
drill team from Dexter, Maine, and a marching unit from Sangerville. "40 and 8" 
engine from Milo, Maine (Replica of a locomotive ) .

Antique Cars An entire section of approximately 25 antique cars.

Marching Units Pink Panthers drill team from Millinocket, Maine. Greenville, 
Maine High School Band. Foxcroft Academy Band

Officials Monson, Mass., and Monson, Maine, officials dressed in costumes of 
yesteryear, rode in antique cars at the head of the parade, behind the color 
guard. Representing Monson, Maine, were Selectman and Mrs. Frank Nelson, 
Selectman and Mrs. Paul Allen, Selectman and Mrs. Worden Smith, and Town Manager 
and Mrs. Robert Lander. Officials from Monson Mass. were as follows: Selectmen: 
Chairman Albert B. Coolong; Vice Chairman Robert D. Austin and Emma M. Austin. 
Police Department: Robert L. Lawson, Kenneth A. Stanton, Ralph K. Shuemaker, John 
Carney, Joseph W. Loglisci. Fire Department: Retired Fire Chief Lloyd E. Partelo 
and Eleanor M. Partelo. Assistant Fire Chief Roy A. LeGrand and Olga LeGrand. 
Captain Alfred G. Gola and Matilda Gola. Lt. Roy P. Evasius and Marilyn L. 
Evasius. Robert L. Meacham, Mary A. Meecham and son James. Ralph S. Weldon, Jr., 
Elizabeth Weldon and son Richard. Robert J. Weldon and Lea Weldon. Clifton W. 
Knowlton and Cecelia F. Knowlton. Historical Society: President Myra K. Moulton, 
Carlos C. McCray and Elsie B. McCray. Beatrice B. Norcross. Earl E. Coleman and 
Helen A. Coleman. Paul F. Magrone. Representing Hebron, Maine was Mr. Roger M. 
Bearce. Representing the State Legislature were Senator Elmer Violette of Van 
Buren and Representative Charlote White of Guilford. NOTE: 4 generations of the 
French family participated in the parade, Elwin, Harold, James, and Julie. 
Following the parade, the afternoon program at the Monson town gym got underway 
promptly at 3:30, as scheduled. The hall was decorated in red, white and blue 
crepe paper and bunting, the decorating committee consisting of Worden and Glenda 
Smith, Nancy Taylor, Dawn MacPherson and Dwain Allen. The front of the gym, 
bandstand, and town buildings and business establishments all were decorated with 
red, white and blue bunting. Details of the afternoon program follow.


SESQUICENTENNIAL AFTERNOON PROGRAM MONSON GYM 3:30 P. M . Saturday, June 24

Mrs. Corinne Bickford, organist for the day, offers incidental music as people 
enter National Anthem, Led by Mr. Dana Miller Invocation, Rev. Douglas Brayton 
Pledge of Allegiance, Led by Town Manager Robert Lander Welcome Address, 
Selectman Frank Nelson Greetings from Monson, Mass., Chairman of Selectmen Albert 
B. Coolong "Sentimental Journey", Led by Rose Nelson, Jillaine Hunt Address, 
State Representative Charlotte White* "Dear Hearts and Gentle People", Led by 
singers on stage Address, State Senator Elmer Violette Recitation, organ medley, 
Mrs. Mattie Conley (84 years of age) Exchange of gifts, (Monson to Monson) Town, 
Selectman Robert Austen (Monson, Mass.) Selectman Paul Allen (Monson, Maine) 
Historical Society, Mr. Earl Coleman (Monson, Mass.) Mrs. Neola Jacobson (Monson, 
Maine) Fire Department, Mr. Roy A. LeGrand (Monson, Mass.) Mr. John Ruksznis 
(Monson, Maine) Presentation to Hebron, Maine, Selectman Worden Smith, Monson, 
Maine Mr. Roger M. Bearce (Hebron, Maine) "America the Beautiful", Led by singers 
on stage Address, Mr. Millard Emanuelson Instrumental, Mr. Harold Ackley 
(Trumpet) accompanied by Mrs. Corinne Bickford Closing Remarks, Master of 
Ceremonies George Rongner "God Bless America", Led by singers on stage 
Benediction, Rev. Douglas Brayton Audience participation requested for all vocal 
selections. *Representative White was hospitalized and unable to attend. In her 
place, the Master of Ceremonies read a congratulatory letter from President 
Richard M. Nixon, a telegram from U. S. Senator Edmund S. Muskie, a telephone 
message from U. S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith. Musical portion of the program 
was arranged by Millicent Robinson. June 24: from 7 :30 to 9 :00 P. M., dancing 
was held at the Monson Gym to the music by Musicians of Yesteryear, which 
included Louis Plummer and Delmar Cook of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, James Brown of 
Abbot, Maine, and Anna Douglass of Monson. 9:00 P. M. to 1:00 A. M. Dancing at 
the Monson gym, with music furnished by Melody Lane, with approximately 800 
people attending. Sunday, June 25. Sunday breakfast, at 9:00 A. M. at the Monson 
Community Church, prepared by Mrs. Thurley Knowles and a group of volunteers. 
Monson's Town Officials and Sesquicentennial Committee hosted the contingent from 
Monson, Mass. July 20, 21, 22: Monson Art Show, sponsored by the Sesquicentennial 
Committee, held at the Elementary School, in charge of Dorcas Leavitt, assisted 
by Gerry Weymouth and Kendrick Benton. Featured were area artists, including Seth 
Steward, Walter Steward, Cora Steward Champion, Bernice Olson, and Fred Varney. 
Contemporary artists included Gerry Weymouth, Eleanor Brayton, Robert Robinson, 
Arthur Day, Jolane Brown, Alan Bray, James Wentworth, Parker Hall, Wendy 
Anderson, Laurence B. Stretz, and Ruby Davis. July 22: Monson Academy Alumni 
Association celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Outgoing officers were President 
Walter Dickison (Guilford), Vice-President Worden Smith, Secretary Roberta 
Crockett ( Guilford ), and Directors Beverly Roberts and Althea French. Incumbent 
and incoming officers were President Dwain Allen, Vice-President Brian Turner, 
Secretary Jillaine Hunt, Treasurer Oswald Poole, and Directors Dawn MacPherson 
and Sylvia Kelley. Millard Emanuelson was Master of Ceremonies. The Shiretown 
Singers provided the entertainment, followed by dancing with the "Melody Lane" 
dance band. July 30: Old Home Sunday at the Monson Community Church, presided by 
the Rev. Douglas P. Brayton. The regular morning service was at 11:30 A. M., with 
Rev. Brayton's sermon on the 150 years of the Church in Monson. Supper was held 
in the church dining room while articles of interest were displayed in the 
church. A Special Service was held at 7 :00 P. M., featuring former ministers 
Rev. William R. Huber of Ellsworth, Rev. Martin Sorensen of Cape Elizabeth, 
Maine, and Rev.William H. Nichols of Sanddown, New Hampshire. Also featured was 
an old-fashioned Gospel Choir, attired in period costumes, led by Mrs. Eleanor 
Brayton, and including Joyce Allen, Althea French, Jillaine Hunt, Millicent 
Robinson, Janette Hall, Velma Inabinet, and Lindsay Inabinet. Aug. 19, l972: 
Monson's first band concert in 20 years, held in the town's bandstand, with music 
by the Greenville High School Band under the direction of Miss Marlene Hall. 
Refreshments, organized by Thurley Knowles, were sold at the rear of the 
bandstand. This was followed, from 8 :00 P. M. to midnight, by a rock dance at 
the town gym, featuring the music of the C. Barnaby Rock Group of Bingham. About 
a hundred youngsters attended. Mrs. Barbara Anderson was Chairman of the dance 
committee, assisted by Mrs. Barbara Robinson and Mrs. Dolores Hughes. October 14, 
1972: Harvest Supper and Dance Supper served at 5, 6, 7 at the Church dining 
room. Dancing at the Town Gym from 9 :00 P. M. to 1:00 A. M., with music by "3 
Jacks and a Queen". Thurley Knowles was Chairman of the supper committee while 
Joyce Kelley and Kendrick Benton were in charge of decorating the gym.

"History of Monson, Maine" to be published and on sale in December, 1972.

NOTES : (1) Copies of the major address on June 24 "The Last 50 Years in the 
History of Monson" by Millard Emanuelson can be found at the Monson Museum and 
the Monson Public Library. (2) Copies of the sermon delivered on July 30 on the 
history of Monson's Churches can be found at the Monson Museum and the Monson 
Public Library. (3) Scrapbooks containing publicity, photos, and write ups 
concerning Monson's Sesquicentennial Year can be found at the Monson Museum and 
the Monson Public Library.


PUBLISHER: USE PHOTO'S AND CAPTIONS ON PAGE 181 IN THE 1972 HISTORY BOOK.


BIRTHDAY BALL - APRIL 22, 1972 L-R: Lillian Knight, Bertha Blood, Robert Lander


BIRTHDAY BALL


L-R: J. French, G. Smith, W. Smith, Roy and Nancy Taylor led the Grand L. French, 
L. Hunt, and J. Hunt. March at the Birthday Ball. Front Row: Faith & Bud 
Butterfield. (Taken in Monson Gym)


Use Photo on Page 182 - 1972 History Book


Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Monson Historical Museum on June 24, 1972 - Eloise 
Stevens, Chairman of the Museum Committee and Treasurer of the Monson D.A.R.


Sesquicentennial Parade Original Photo #136 June 24, 1972. John Ruksznis, 
Marshall Clifford Douglass, Uncle Sam


Use photo from page 183 - 1972 History Book


SESQUICENTENNIAL PARADE - JUNE 24, 1972


PHOTO #138


REPLICA OF THE M. R. R. ENGINE NO. 4


USE PHOTO #139


APPALACHIAN TRAIL FLOAT


USE PHOTO #140


KELLEY'S ORCHARD FLOAT


USE PHOTO #141


INDIAN POINT FLOAT


USE PHOTO #142


PORTLAND-MONSON SLATE COMPANY FLOAT


USE PHOTO #143


REBEKAH'S FLOAT


USE PHOTO #144


SOUTHEAST MONSON FLOAT Replica of the Vinton School House


USE PHOTO #145


JUNE 24, 1972 - PROGRAM AT THE MONSON GYM


USE PHOTO #146


PROGRAM AT THE MONSON GYM


USE PHOTO #147


OLD HOME SUNDAY - JULY 30, 1972 Ministers: L-R: Rev. William Huber, Rev. Martin 
Sorensen, Rev. Douglas P. Brayton and Rev. William Nicolas.


USE PHOTO #148


OLD HOME SUNDAY - JULY 30, 1972 CHOIR: L-R: L. Inabinet, A. French, M. Robinson, 
and J. Allen. Front Row: J. Hall, V. Inabinet, and E. Brayton

EARLY HOMES

THE MATHEWS PLACE - Located two miles north of town on "The Old Stage Road", the 
north fork of the Elliottsville Road, was first acquired by Capt. Jonathan 
Mathews, of Sidney, Maine, in 1825. Since then it has remained in the Mathews 
family, being successively owned by Elijah, Jonathan B., Shailer, Robert E. 
Mathews and now Craig Mathews. Until about 1860, the family lived there year 
around, but later rented the place, or left it unoccupied, until it was 
rehabilitated in 1905 and used thereafter for vacations only. The 80-foot long 
red ell was built first, probably completed in 1826. The large white conventional 
colonial portion in front was constructed a few years later. The house contains 
six open fireplaces, one having a built-in oven. The whole structure is built of 
hand-hewn pine, morticed and held together with sturdy wooden pegs. The roof was 
shingled with Monson slate by Robert Mathews in the 1940-50's. For nearly 50 
years, the cleared parts of the farm were devoted to an orchard of 1100 apple 
trees planted by Shailer Mathews. These were abandoned in 1951. It is now a Tree 
Farm and a summer vacation home.

Note: Some of the homes pictured have hand hewn beams, wooden pegs and square 
metal nails. Some of the houses also have what are called Christian doors. They 
were designed in such a way that the shape of a cross can be seen on the front of 
the door, thus giving them their name.

MARY FARRAR JONES HOUSE - Located on Pleasant Street. Built by Elias Andrews in 
1856. This home is situated on the original land owned by Amos Atkinson who came 
to Monson in 1819. Eben Bray owned the land in 1844 and conveyed a portion of 
this land to the Baptist Society to build their church. Previous owners include: 
L. P. Bray family, J. H. Pullen, Charles and Clara Pullen, Leon and Mary (Farrar) 
Jones. It is now owned and occupied by Ansel and Rachael (Jones) LaPointe.

JOHN RICE FLINT HOUSE - Located on Center St. and built by Capt. Peabody H. Rice 
in 1852. It was then bought by one of his heirs, John Rice Flint, in 1896 and 
remained in the family until the 1960's. 1972 owner - Alanson Robbins. Present 
owners - Sally and James Gibson.

J. F. SPRAGUE LAW OFFICE - Located on Main Street. Previous owners: Frank & 
Marjorie Hughes; 1972 owner - Stanley A. Robinson. Present owner is Jillaine 
(Robinson) Ward.

EBEN BRAY FARM - Located on Lake Hebron Pond Road (Pleasant Street) about one 
mile from the village. A portion of this land was given by E. Bray to the Indian 
Point Association. Farm purchased by Gerald Stanchfield. The original house and 
barn burned around 1950. A Portland-Monson Slate company house, located on the 
North Guilford Road, was moved onto the site and is presently occupied by Gerald 
Stanchfield.

JAMES TARR HOUSE - Located on the Tenney Hill - Rt. 15. It was owned by James 
Tarr in 1858, then William Tarr. Tarr's Hall was built across the road. 1972 
owner - John & Carolyn Durham. Present owners: Thomas & Chris Hall.

OLD SPRUCE GUM FACTORY - Located on Pleasant Street and built by F. Jackson. This 
housed the Eastern Gum Co. Present owner Mrs. Edmund Arsenault.

NATHAN KNIGHT HOUSE - Located on South Main Street. It was built before 1858 and 
the residence of Nathan Knight. It was then later owned by Rose Sibley Thomas. 
Bought by Dr. Phillip Thomas in 1940's. It once housed Dr. Thomas' office and 
later a dentist office. In 1972 owned by Dana Williams. Present owner: Beth 
Holmbom.

MERLE WYMAN FARM - Located on top of Tenney Hill. Owners: Fred LaBree, M. Huff, 
M. Wyman and Clarence Pratt. Used by Huff and Wyman as a dairy farm. Present 
owner: Tenney Hill Corporation.

J. GOODELL HOUSE - Located on the Elliottsville Road about two miles from the 
village. It was owned by J. Goodell in 1858. Later owned by Lyman Davis. 
Purchased by Lloyd Kelley. Original house was torn down and replaced with a new 
home. Apple orchards are located on these premises. Occupied by Rick & Nancy 
Kelley.

HARRY DAVIS HOUSE - Located on Center St. and built before 1858. Premises 
conveyed to H. Davis in 1926. Now owned by his granddaughter Dolly Hughes 
Starbird and occupied by his great-granddaughter Sandra Hughes Erickson.

AMERICUS NORTON HOUSE - Located on Norton Hill, Willimantic Rd. This house was 
owned by Americus Norton in 1858. Other owners: Greeley, V. Leighton, Clifford 
Douglass, and Milton Bartlett. The house has been renovated. The barn burned 
accidentally.

EVANDER McIVER FARM - Located on the Elliottsville Rd. about one mile from town. 
Built circa 1850. Previous owners: Roland Taylor, J. Mathews, L. Viles, Evander 
McIver, Sr. & Jr., Joyce Kelley, and Pat Ficera. Present owners: Sue and John 
Chase.

THE FOLLOWING BUILDINGS WERE MOVED FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER:

HILMA HOLMBOM HOUSE - Located on North Main St. Originally belonged to the Gates 
family and was located in back of the former home of Berwin Storer (now Andrew 
Lowell) on Main Street. This home was built after the 1860 fire.

SHELDON STANCHFIELD HOUSE - Located on Pleasant Street. Originally located on 
Main Street - site of the former D.A.R. Chapter House. 1972 - owner: Sheldon 
Stanchfield. Present owner - Daina Allen.

FORMER ROBERT LANDER HOUSE - Located on the east side of South Main Street. 
Originally was the main part of a house located on Lake Hebron Road (Pleasant 
Street) owned by Wallace Brown. Present owner: Lisa and Wayne Adkins. The ell and 
shed remain at its original location and is occupied by Rachel & Carl Ulman.

VALENTINE TURNER'S HOUSE - Located on the east side of South Main Street. The 
barn attached to this home once owned by Brown-Steward located across from where 
Rachel & Carl Ulman live on Pleasant Street was moved in 1910 and attached to V. 
Turner's house. This house was owned by the Monson Academy Trustees and used as 
the living quarters for the principal.

CLARENCE "TAD" TURNER HOUSE - Located on the North Guilford Road. Originally Dr. 
Sampson's office located by the former home of Maude Bray on South Main Street. 
Renovated after it was moved. Present owner: Vivian Turner.

ARTHUR SMALL HOUSE - Located on the east side of South Main Street. Formerly 
located across the street from the former home of Jettie Hennigan's on S. Main 
St. Arthur Small house sold to E. Casey in 1971. Present owners: Scott and Debra 
Lander.

ELWOOD SMITH HOUSE - East side of S. Main Street. Burned in 1950. Originally 
located on the former site of Brown's Nursing Home on South Main Street (now 
North Guilford Rd.)

FRED JARVIS HOUSE - Located on corner of Pleasant and Wilkin's Streets. 
Originally located on the site of the former Clarence and Edith Brown home (now 
Thomas Bennett) on Pleasant Street. Housed a millinery shop and carriage shop. 
1972- owned by Worden & Glenda Smith. Present owner: Bruce Courser.

Note: The ells attached to the former homes of Oswald Poole (now Glenn & Craig 
Poole) and Ethel Casey (now Scott Lander), located on South Main St., were 
originally a house located on the Lake Hebron Road (Pleasant Street) across from 
the present home owned by Carl & Rachel Ulman.

Note: Henry Knox and John Butler moved many of the homes. Many homes in the 
village had barns which have now been torn down.


EARLY HOMES

Publisher: Use photo #110


1972- Home of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Finley on Center St. Built by Alpheus Davison in 
1825. Once used as the Old Baptist Parsonage. Oldest house still standing in 
town. Renovated. (Old Photo) Owner in 1997: Richard Finley.


Use Photo #111


The land for the site of this house was granted to Joel Norcross of Monson, Mass. 
in 1817. It became the property of William Kirk in 1835. Since that time it has 
been owned by some member of the Kirk Family. Restored by William and Judy 
(Stanchfield) Bjork. W. Bjork is a direct descendent of W. Kirk. (1972 Photo) 
Located in the southeastern part of Monson.


Use Photo #112


Land first owned by Capt. Amasa Chapin of Monson, Mass. In 1820, one of the first 
settlers of Monson, Maine. Other owners: Pillsbury's, Partinen's, and Kugler's. 
Present owner: Robert O'Brien. Located on North Guilford Road. (1972 Photo)


Use Photo #113


(Old Photo) Built circa 1830 by Timothy Morton who came from Hebron, Maine. This 
farm remained in the Morton family until 1903. One of the owners was Oscar 
Mackie. Barn has been torn down. Located on the North Guilford Road. Several 
owners since 1972 . Present owner Steven Irvine.


Use Photo #114


This house is located on the site of the first house built in the village and the 
second framed house in Monson. At this time it was owned by Capt. Samuel Whitney. 
Burned in 1860. Located on the corner of Main and Water Streets. Previous owners: 
Aretas Chapin, H. Sherman, H. Grover, and in 1972 - Louise Grover. Present owner: 
Norman Berthiaume (Old Photo)


Use Bottom Photo in 1972 History Book on page 133


Land originally owned by Roland Taylor who came to Monson in 1926. Property 
purchased by: Horace Sherman (1845), J. S. Prescott (1866), H. Grover (1908), J. 
Strom (1917) and Signe (Strom) Ranta in 1942, the present owner. Located in 
Southeast Monson. (Photo taken in 1960-61)


Use photo #116


First recorded deed Jan. 21, 1836. At this time it was used as a store owned by 
James Leighton. Property purchased by: H. Folsom (1836), and S. Tubbs (1855). It 
then became a residence (date unknown) with the following owners: L. N. Knight, 
Annie Stevens and S. S. Stevens. Bought and restored by Charles & Zelma Stevens 
in 1951. Located on Tenney Hill Road (Rt. 15). 1997 owner: Zelma Stevens. (1972 
Photo)


Use #117


This house is located in the section of town which was settled first in the 
southwestern part of Monson. Most of the original farms are gone and replaced by 
woodlands. Owned by A. Goding in 1858. Other owners: Roberts, P. Haggstrom, M. 
Crockett, George Rongner (1972), R. Smith, present owner: Steven Vainio. Located 
on the Blanchard Road in the Burma Neighborhood. (Old Photo)


Use photo #118


Originally known as the Whiting Farm. Settled on by J. Whiting circa 1822. Later 
owned by Guy Hammond. Purchased by Bessie Doble in 1957. Given to the town by 
Doble heir, Ed Fell. Demolished in 1984 and site of Monson Memorial Park. Located 
on upper Water Street. (1972 Photo)


Use photo #119


1972 Home of Harry Lindie located on Pleasant Street. Originally used as an Inn 
and Tavern possibly when the Old Stage (Coach) Road crossed the narrows. Other 
owners have been C. Morrill, M. Stanchfield, Harry Lindie, Jeff Moody and present 
owner, Keith Shaw. (1972 Photo)


Use Photo #120


Located on Pleasant Street and built in the 1830's. This is one of the early 
houses to be built in Monson. The first owner of record was Horace Flanders. 
Later owned by Prof. Knowlton and in 1972 the home of Tolford Durham. Durham sold 
to Ralph & June Edsell. Present home of John & Melinda Wentworth. (1972 Photo)


USE PHOTO #121


Originally the Hiram Vinton place. H. Vinton came from Monson, Mass. in 1825. 
Later known as the Kurki Farm (1972). Other owners: L. Hoyt & R. MacNicholl. 
Present owner - M. Hutchinson. House was distroyed by fire in 1995. Hutchinson 
built a new home on the site.


USE PHOTO IN 1972 HISTORY BOOK ON PG 137


Birthplace of Seth Steward located in Southeast Monson and called the Seven Pines 
Farm. It still remains in the Steward family. 1972 occupied by Forrest & Eloise 
(Steward) Stevens. Presently occupied by Eloise Stevens and Thurley Knowles. 
(Photo taken in 1966)


USE PHOTO IN 1972 HISTORY BOOK PG 137


Built in 1840 by Elijah Crafts and located on the Greenville Road. Purchased by 
R. Jones and owned by Opal Jones Nelson in 1972. Present owner is W. Reidenbach. 
(Old Photo)


USE PHOTO IN 1972 HISTORY - PG 138


Built circa 1845 by Major J. Norris. Purchased by J. H. Pullen and H. C. Pullen. 
Owned by Stanwood & Marie Pullen in 1972. Present owner: John & Wendy Pullen. 
Active farm until 1965. Located on North Guilford Road. (Old Photo)


Use photo in 1972 History - bottom photo on page 138


This is one of the early homes built in Monson, circa 1830-40. Owners: W. Tenney, 
Rev. Emerson, and D. Casey. Bought and renovated by James & Jean Durham. Barn was 
destroyed by fire. Sold by Jean Durham in 1987. Other owners: Rowe, J. LeCesse. 
Present owners: Worden & Glenda (Brown) Smith (1994). Located on lower Tenney 
Hill. (1957 Photo)


USE PHOTO #126


This old photo found with the following data on it: Former residence of James 
Hill. The oldest home in Monson, ME, built in 1823 by Dea. Lucius Hyde. Note: 
Location of home is unknown. Possibly occupied by Elwood Smith family on South 
Main Street when it burned in 1950.


Use photo #126A


CHAPIN HOTEL - Opened 1860 - burned March 25, 1882. The hotel was located on the 
present site of Kennedy Slate Building at the intersection of the North Guilford 
Road and Tenney Hill Road. Left: Present G. Tabor Home. Right: P. W. Knight store 
(now P. Weymouth).


Use photo in 1972 History - top photo on page 140


Land surveyed by Alexander Greenwood for the purpose of building a Congregational 
Church Parsonage. Dec. 11, 1838, property conveyed by Joseph Booth to the deacons 
of the church, S. Robinson and P. Muzzy. Became a residence in 1883. In 1972, 
owned by Annie (Carlson) Howard followed by Mrs. Howard's son, George C. Howard 
and granddaughter Mary Jane Kimball. Present owner: H. Britton. (1959 Photo)


Use Photo #129 (Original photo)


The Mathews Place - Photo taken in 1885. 1972 owner Robert Mathews. Robert's son, 
Craig Mathews is the present owner. (Note: see write up on the history of the 
Mathews Place)


USE NEW PHOTO (ANSEL LAPOINTE HOUSE)


This home sits on the original land grant of Amos Atkinson - first settler north 
of Hebron Pond. Later owned by Abner Brown. Brown conveyed a portion of this lot 
to the Baptist Society for their church in 1845. 1972 owner: Mary (Farrar) Jones. 
Present owner: Ansel & Rachael (Jones) LaPointe. (Oct. 1997 Photo)


USE NEW PHOTO (Brown's Nursing Home)


Albert Chapin had this home built for his bride. After Chapin's death the home 
was sold to Fred & Martha Crane. In 1972 - owned by Doris Brown and known as the 
Brown's Nursing Home. Present owner: Maine Properties. Building vacant.


Use Photo #127


Built circa 1840. Former home of Dr. S.A. Patten in 1850's, A. Gray in 1873. 
Purchased by D. H. Champion in the 1930's. 1972: owned by Arthur Haggstrom Other 
owners: J. Kelley & K. Johns. Present owner: Gary & Jeannie Tabor. Located on 
Main Street (Tenney Hill Rd). Old Photo


Use Photo #127A


Built circa 1840. Former home of Dr. S.A. Patten. Photo taken approximately 100 
years later - 1940's. Note: Oldest building on Main Street. (Old Photo)


PUBLISHER: SCAN THE MAP INSERT INCLUDED ON PAGE 141 & 142 IN THE 1972 HISTORY 
BOOK


SCAN BACK OF OLD MAP INSERT - PAGE 142 IN 1972 HISTORY BOOK


REMEMBER THESE???

HARTLEY SMITH SHOE SHOP -This building was built before 1913 and was first used 
as a photograph shop then a cobbler shop. It was formerly a one-story building, a 
second-story was added later. H. Smith's daughter, L. Lambert, sold the building 
to H. French in 1948, who used it as a shoe repair shop. It was torn down in 
1963. Located on Hebron Street.

LARS SELLBERG - This building owned by L. Sellberg was used as a candy, ice 
cream, etc., store located between the now Monson Light & Power Building and J. & 
J. General Store. This store had a rent upstairs. The building burned in 1910.

HEBRON OR WILLER HOUSE - In 1888, H. T. Boynton had a store and sold stoves and 
tinware. His store was originally situated nearer to the old town hall (G.A.R., 
now Monson Museum). It burned on Dec. 28, 1888. It was then rebuilt as a one 
story building on the same location. Elise Jones then bought it and moved it to 
the location on which the New Municipal Building now stands. Jones placed the 
building on a basement and a second story was added. In the basement a store was 
opened that sold hot dogs, etc. A Millinery Shop operated by Etta Williams was on 
the first floor and a rent was in the back. Second floor - a rent. In the 1940's 
it was owned by the Willer's and known as the Hebron House. The building was torn 
down around 1965-66, and the land was bought by the Town of Monson. The New 
Municipal Building now stands in this location and houses the Town Office, Public 
Library, Fire Department, Highway Garage, and a Kitchen with a large room for 
social activities.

SHERBURNE PHOTO SHOP - This building was once located across from the 
Congregational Church and was later moved to Hebron Street and placed where the 
old garages were located by the little pond. It was torn down to make way for the 
garages. Garages purchased by the Monson Utilities District and torn down in 
1983. Now the parking lot for the new boat landing behind the Masonic Building.

ARVID ANDERSON BLOCK - Once owned by Fred Spencer who ran a sporting goods store. 
Rents on the first and second floors. Then the following owned it: Luther Colbath 
- meat store; Bob McIver - meat store; Carroll Jackson - meat store; Clarence 
Sargent - general store with gas pumps; then Arvid Anderson who had a meat and 
grocery store for 17 years; closed the store in 1965. It was then torn down about 
a year later. (Note: the building burned in the 1897 fire and later rebuilt.)

BLACKSMITH SHOPS - Arthur Walter Farrar worked in the shop of James Tarr located 
on the premises of the former Lucille Simpson home (now Joyce Hinson) on Main 
Street. Then Arthur W. Farrar built his own shop in back of his home, ( now Alice 
Lindie Beckwith) on Water Street. Later moved to a shop on South Main St. located 
between the former J. Hennigan (E. Domitz) and Ernest Copeland homes. Building 
torn down around 1970.

BLACKSMITH SHOP - Located between the former Bessie Doble and the Open Door 
Church, on Water Street. Once owned by William Sentner, Ernest Farrar; and 
Charles Bradford. Sentner lived in and owned the former B. Doble's home. Building 
torn down in the 1940's. Present site of the Monson Memorial Park and town 
skating rink.

KICKSLED- In 1914, Mr. Gustaf Johnson introduced Monson to the favorite sport of 
"kick-sledding". Having learned the blacksmith trade from his father, Mr. Johnson 
came to America from Sweden when he was about 19 years old and was employed by 
the Monson Maine Slate Co. for 34 years. He made kick sleds in his spare time in 
the rear of his home (now the home of Viola Woodard on Chapin Ave). Since 
Monson's climate was identical to Sweden's, the kick-sled's popularity grew and 
became an immediate success. It was a great thrill to fly downhill and over icy 
lakes. Unfortunately, plowed and sanded roads retired this delightful pastime.

TARR'S HALL (SPENCER'S HALL) - This was first built for a woodshed for Mr. Chapin 
around 1872. In 1877, it was remodeled into a hall by James and Will Tarr - then 
sold to Fred Spencer. Spencer owned it about 1900. Used as the Town Hall in the 
1889 era. Perro Morris owned it around 1914 and showed moving pictures (movie 
theater). In 1924, movie prices were 15 cents and 25 cents. It was called 
Spencer's Hall at the time of the Town's 100th birthday. The building was 
purchased by Oscar Carlson in 1930-31; remodeled in 1940 and used as a personal 
garage. School functions such as graduations, plays, and basketball games were 
held in the hall, also roller skating, movies, and town meetings until 1940. 
Present site of Robinson's Mobil Mart.

LAKE HEBRON HOTEL - The former Morris Pearl house on Route 15 ( owned by Della 
Burns in 1972) was moved to make way for the hotel in 1882. The hotel was built 
by Hildreth. It contained twenty rooms with an annex which was added later on. It 
overlooked the lake and was always overflowing with summer guests. Monson Maine 
Slate Co. were proprietors in 1889 with Fred Crane as operator. It burned January 
6, 1910 and was located on Rt.15 between the former James Durham (now owned by 
Worden Smith) and John Durham's homes (now owned by Thomas Hall).

GRIST MILL - Located below the former Storer's Home Care Center (now Elinor 
O'Shea) on upper Water Street. Built by T. Davee in 1841. Many different people 
operated and owned it. Alvin Gray was owner in 1873. In 1886, Alvin Gray, with 
four other investors, form a corporation to manufacture the Arctic Butter Box. 
Later sold to the Monson Maine Slate Co. they rented to Joseph Davison and Guy 
Hammond as a grain and feed store- later to G. Hammond and his son Lawrence 
Hammond. Closed in the 1940's. Fell down and remains cleared away. The land is 
now owned by the Town of Monson.

SAW MILL - This was located below the old Grist Mill on upper Water Street. In 
1858 owned or operated by J. P. Haynes. Owned by Alvin Gray in 1873. Later the 
Monson Maine Slate Co. acquired the property and years later they sold to Harry 
Davis. No buildings standing and the land is now owned by the Town of Monson. 
Below these two mills (Grist and Saw Mills) there once was a shingle mill plus a 
cider mill.


PHILLIPS SAW MILL - This was located below the former residence of Adolph Burke 
(now owned by Tim LaPointe) on lower Water Street. Around 1858, owned by T. 
Phillips - later owned by his son Nelson Phillips. The water rights were 
controlled by the mills up in the village. Phillips Mill and stable were 
destroyed by fire May 26, 1891. (Note: Every winter different men hauled logs in 
with teams and sleds - later by trucks - and piled them on the little pond behind 
the stores on Main Street. In the spring when the ice went out, the saw mill 
commenced sawing, sluicing the logs through the canal under Main Street.

FLINT'S LIVERY STABLE - Located behind the former Knight's Store (now Pete 
Weymouth) by the little pond. Built around 1900 by Henry Grover for J. Lord. It 
was owned and operated by J. Lord and later, Merton Grover. In 1917 it was owned 
by Engene H. Flint. The building collapsed and years later the rubble was burned 
by the Monson Fire Department in the late 1950's.


BUILDINGS DESTROYED BY FIRE OR DEMOLISHED FOR DEVELOPMENT: (Partial Listing - 
1972-1997)

TOWNE FARM-Located on the Greenville Road - Built by Leonard Crafts in 1840. All 
but the ell of the farm house burned on March 20, 1972. Former owners: Clark 
Towne, Lyle Towne, P. Flynn, G. Robbins. Present owner: Arthur Decker. Ell was 
remodeled. Barn is still standing presently used by the Narrow Gauge Snowmobile 
Club as a clubhouse.

FARNHAM CAMP - Located on the Elliottsville Road. Structure fire - March 31, 
1973.

HENRY CARLSON HOME: Located at the end of Chapin Ave. near entrance to town sand 
shed. Fire destroyed the small uninhabited building on July 27, 1973. Arson 
involved. A mobile home was placed on the site. Presently owned and occupied by 
George Carlson.

DONALD BELL HOME: Located on the Greenville Road. Structure fire on April 28, 
1975. Former owner, Haven Lombard.

RUPERT ADKINS CAMP: Located on Blanchard Road. Structure fire on December 5, 
1976. Two fatalities.

KATHY READY HOME: Former owners: Enoch Orr, Elizabeth Seitz. Located on Tenney 
Hill between Herbert Bishop and Daniel Stone's (former Adolph Johnson house on 
corner of Blanchard Road). Structure fire December 23, 1983. A new home, built by 
Daniel Stone, is on this site.

DAVID BROWN CAMP (OLD LOON CLUB): Located on Lake Hebron and site of the old Loon 
Club. Owned by John F. Sprague before 1897 and was once part of the Haskell 
Farm.. Sprague sold to W. Esterbrooke, J. Jackson, C. Folsom & H. Morrill. Other 
owners: Francis Marshall, David Brown. Camp destroyed by fire on September 2, 
1989. Brown built a new camp on the site.


EDWARDS FARM: Located on North Guilford Road and occupied by Perley Stevens. 
Owned by Portland-Monson Slate Co. when the building was demolished.

ROBERT SMITH TRAILER: Located on the Blanchard Road. The former Elam Suomi Farm. 
Trailer owned by Robert Smith burned on May 9, 1983. Arson suspected. In 1997, 
Stephen and Jeannie (Stone) Moores purchased this property from Steve Vainio and 
recently placed a new mobile home on this site.

EGAN LARSON HOUSE - Located on the Greenville Road across from the intersection 
of Rt. 15 and the Elliottsville Road. Former owners include: Robert Larson, E. 
Holmbom, Floyd and Hattie Burton, George Burton. Building torn down in the 
1980's.

URBAN JONES HOUSE - Located on the Greenville Road north of the former Egan 
Larson house. Building was torn down by Floyd and Hattie Burton in the 1970's. 
Burton's placed a new mobile home on this site.

Note: Information on the following homes are included in next photo section:

DR. JOSEPH & SUSAN ALLEY FARM

ROBERT & NANCY JEAN FARM

OLSON HOUSE (SLATE HOUSE)

LARRY & RUTH CONLEY'S HOME

CLIFFORD DOUGLASS HOUSE

OSCAR CARLSON HOUSE

DELLA BURNS HOUSE

CHRISTENSEN FARM

HENRY BRAY HOUSE (NORMA BJORK)

ANSELM SWANSON (RUMERY) HOUSE

JOYCE KELLEY'S RESIDENCE

ADOLPH JOHNSON'S RESIDENCE

PULKKINEN FARM

REV. JESSE & MARY THOMAS LOG CAMP

SETH STEWARD HOME


REMEMBER THESE??


Use Photo #80


GRIST MILL - Built 1841 Water Street (Old Photo)


Use photo #81


SAW MILL - BUILT 1858 (Earliest date known) Located on Upper Water Street (Old 
Photo)


Use photo #82


TARR'S HALL - THEN SPENCER'S HALL Located on Route 15 - Tenney Hill Road 
(Building gone)


Use Photo #83


LONG SLATE SHED ON CHAPIN AVENUE Owned by Monson Maine Slate Co. - Building Gone


Use Photo #84


Old Photo - 1900-1903. L-R: Grover's Market now V. Erickson's Home. Background: 
1972- T. Dickinson's Home before renovation - Vacant. Lower Water Street


USE PHOTO #85


MAIN STREET - MERTON GROVER'S After 1897 Fire. Present Laundromat (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #86


LAKE HEBRON HOTEL - BUILT 1882 by Monson Maine Slate Co. Cost $20,000.00 - Burned 
Jan. 6, 1910


USE PHOTO #87 (USING DIFFERENT PHOTO OF WILLER HOUSE)


MAIN STREET - HEBRON HOUSE (WILLER HOUSE) Torn down in 1966. Site of New 
Municipal Building.


USE PHOTO #88


HEBRON STREET - Old Photo - On Left Sherburne's Photo Shop. Moved from opposite 
Congregational Church. On Right: Hartley E. Smith's Cobbler Shop. Buildings gone.



Use Photo #89


LITTLE POND LOOKING TOWARD FLINT'S LIVERY STABLE ON RIGHT HAND SIDE OF PHOTO. 
Some of the buildings are non-existent today. (Old Photo)


Scan Photo of Man on Kicksled Page 125 - 1972 History Book (#106)


Photo of a Kicksled - Made by Gustaf Johnson. Perley Lambert on sled. (Old Photo)



USE PHOTO #107


TAKEN FROM MAIN STREET LOOKING WEST AT LAKE HEBRON AND RUSSELL MOUNTAIN. (Old 
Photo) Present D. Annis house in background.


USE PHOTO #108


OVERLOOKING LAKE HEBRON IN THE DIRECTION OF TENNEY HILL. Notice Old Ice House in 
background on the right of photo. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #109


At Monson Maine Slate Co. The young man on top of the mast is Oscar Suomi. (Old 
Photo) Mr. Suomi, a quarryman, lived on Chapin Ave. was of Finnish descent.


USE PHOTO #90


MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTH SEVERAL YEARS AFTER THE 1860 FIRE. Left: Knight's 
Store. Background: Homer Hill, School and Congregational Church. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #91


WILKINS STREET, CEREMONY LAYING CORNER STONE OF SWEDISH LUTHERAN CHURCH IN 1890. 
Right of Photo: Seth Steward's home. 1972 owner: Robert Tompkins. Burned by 
M.F.D. in 1986. Lot owned by D. Annis. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #92


LOWER PLEASANT STREET - LOOKING ACROSS MAIN STREET TO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
House on left was moved across the street and was the home of Viola Michele in 
1972. Present owner: Steven & Sherry Bjork's residence. Busy Bee Day Care Center 
- Sherry Bjork, Prop. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #93


LOOKING WEST UP PLEASANT STREET - Old Photo


USE PHOTO #94


MAIN STREET - A. F. JACKSON'S STORE (Former W. Harry Hughes and in 1972 - C. 
Bickford residence) present owner: C. Harrington. Looking towards Water Street. 
(Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #95


MAIN STREET - (Former W. Harry Hughes residence; 1972 - C. Bickford's) Present 
owner: C. Harrington. L-R: Prescott Knight, Levi Bray, Carlos Folsom (with 
bicycle), Horace Sherman, Benjamin Cowan, Nathan Knight and Dave Evans. (Old 
photo)


USE PHOTO #96


MAIN STREET - MOVING BARN NOW ATTACHED TO V. TURNER'S HOME ON SOUTH MAIN STREET 
(NO. GUILFORD ROAD). Photo taken around 1910.


SCAN PHOTO (#97) FROM PAGE 120 OF 1972 BOOK


LOWER TENNEY HILL (Rt. 15) L-R: In 1972 - J. Durham's (Present owner: W. Smith) 
and Annie Howard's (present owner: Harry Britton ) homes. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #98 (NEW PHOTO) ON TOP OF PAGE 121 - 1972 HISTORY BOOK


CENTER STREET - Homer Hill and buildings in far background. Old slate mill 
buildings at quarry in the center of photo. Foreground- L-R: the former S. Smith, 
H. French, C. Patterson and present Tim & Julie Anderson home. (Home with large 
barn) former John Flint Homestead. Other owners: B. Thombs, A. Robbins, F. Ward. 
Present owner: Sally & James Gibson.


USE PHOTO #99 (Same photo as on page 121 - 1972 History Book) Original enclosed


CENTER STREET - In 1972, Eric Brown's home at right of photo with the Baptist 
Church at the left in background. Present owner: MaryEllen Blanchard.


USE PHOTO #100


SOUTH MAIN STREET (NO. GUILFORD RD) AND RT. 15 (TENNEY HILL ROAD) In 1972 - 
Brown's Nursing Home in background to the left. Building vacant. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #101


SOUTH MAIN STREET (NO. GUILFORD ROAD)- On left: In 1972: Amos Knight and D. 
Williams homes. Present S. Anderson and B. Holmbom's homes. (Old Photo)


SCAN PHOTO #102 ON PAGE 123 OF 1972 HISTORY BOOK


MAIN STREET (Old Photo) - In 1972 L-R: Laundromat, D. Keene Block, former Arvid 
Anderson's Store (torn down), E. Adams, and temporary building erected after 1911 
fire to house the post office and drugstore. Present L-R: Laundromat owned by J. 
Babcock, R. Carlson, M. Davis.


SCAN PHOTO #103 FROM 1972 HISTORY


MAIN STREET - Looking North on left: J. F. Sprague's Residence (Burned 1910. 
Rebuilt - Clarence Brown's General Store - Rent upstairs) 1997 - Monson General 
Store - building owned and rent upstairs occupied by Bett Stevens. Garland Home - 
1972 owned by G. Hall; present owner: W. Stevens. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO # 104


EAST SIDE OF MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTH. Foreground - In 1972 C. Bickford's house 
now C. Harrington. Note how buildings are situated in reference to the picture 
below. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #105


EAST SIDE OF MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTH. (Old Photo). 1972: C. Bickford - present 
Chris Harrington Apt. Building.


HOMES DESTROYED BY FIRE OR DEMOLISHED FOR DEVELOPMENT:

USE PHOTO #


Dr. Joseph & Susan Alley Farm - Located on the Steward Road. Built by Sheppard 
Moses. Former owners: J. Mand, A. Herring, F. Greeley - W. Lawson Dauphinee in 
1972. Joseph Alley owned the farm when fire destroyed the house on May 6, 1989. 
Barn saved and still standing.


USE PHOTO #


Robert & Nancy Jean Farm - Built in 1857 and located on the corner of the Steward 
and Willimantic Roads. Former owners: D. Doughty, Wm. Sears, D. Jackson, J. 
Jackson, Carrie Clough, E. Frost, F. Steward, E. Sandberg, Ted and Dorothy 
Holmbom. Owned by R. Jean when destroyed by fire on Oct. 31, 1994. Present owner: 
St.Laurent.


USE PHOTO #


Olson House (Slate House): Located on Tenney Hill Road. Owned by the Albert Olson 
Family. Sold August 1988 to Alice & Albert Theriault. Demolished Jan. 3, 1991. 
(Photo taken Sept. 1989)


USE PHOTO #


Olson House (Slate House) and Lake Hebron Heights Complex in background. Located 
on the corner of Tenney Hill Rd. (Rt 15) and the Blanchard Road intersection. 
Photo taken Nov. 1990 - shows the slate being removed from house. Torn down by A. 
Theriault on Jan. 3, 1991 to make room for the new senior citizen complex.


USE PHOTO #


Larry & Ruth Conley Farm: Located on North Guilford Road on Monson/Abbot town 
line. Former owners: Rufus Curtis, A. Hammond, John & Larry Conley. House burned 
on July 2, 1985. Barn was saved and is still standing. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #


Clifford Douglass House: Located at the top of Norton Hill on Willimantic Road. 
Owners: A. Jackson, T. Crooker, H. Crooker, Sadie Crooker, A. Bessey. Property 
purchased by Stretz Family. House demolished in November of 1989.


USE PHOTO # BB7


Oscar Carlson House: Second house from left -located on Tenney Hill Road. Owned 
by B. Crabtree and sold to R. Page in 1990. Page moved this building in back of 
Page's General Store (the former Moosehead Trail Antiques building). Purchased by 
A. E. Robinson Oil Co. - present site of Robinson's Mobil Mart. In 1997- D. Stone 
moved the remainder of the building to Willimantic.


USE PHOTO #BB8


Della Burns House: This house was moved from the site of the Lake Hebron Hotel 
before 1882. Located on the Tenney Hill Road and present site of Robinson's Mobil 
Mart. Former owners: J. Bell, M. Pearl, D. Burns, R. Pembroke, B. Crabtree, Roger 
Page. Building demolished in April, 1990 to make room for Page's General Store 
gas pumps.


USE PHOTO #BB9


Christensen Farm: Located on Willimantic Road. Abel Goodell Homestead 1821. 
Owners: Jackson, W. Davis, Johnson, Otto Christensen and Meredith Christensen, 
David Rice. Rice had building burned by M.F.D. on October 23, 1994. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #BB10


Henry Bray House (Norma Bjork): Located on the Willimantic Road. Owned by W. 
Crooker and sold to Portland-Monson Slate Co. (Sheldon Slate Products, Inc.) 
Norma & Martin Bjork rented this home for many years. Home burned by M.F.D. on 
April 20, 1997. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #BB11


Anselm Swanson (L. Rumery) House: Located at the intersection of the Willimantic 
Road and N. Guilford Road. Former owners: B. Fogg, A. Swanson, S. Lander, Lester 
Rumery. Home partially destroyed by fire - arson involved. Remains burned by MFD 
on May 5, 1996.


USE PHOTO #BB12


Joyce Kelley House: Located on So. Main Street (No. Guilford Road) between the 
present Wayne Adkins' (former Robert Lander) and Scott Lander's (former E. Small) 
homes. Former owners: George & Carrie Brown, Bob & Joyce Brown, Thaxter Jones, J. 
Kelley. House destroyed by fire on January 18, 1978.


USE PHOTO #BB13


Adolph Johnson's Home: Located on the corner of Rt 15 (Tenney Hill Rd) and 
Blanchard Rd. Former owner: Peter Johnson and Adolph Johnson, E. LaPorte. LaPorte 
sold to Daniel Stone. Building partially torn down and burned by D. Stone in 
1996.


USE PHOTO #BB14


Pulkkinen Farm: Located on Rt. 15 (Tenney Hill Road). Former owners: Henry and 
Sonja Pulkkinen. Present owner: Eugene DiFronzo of New York. DiFronzo had the 
building burned by M.F.D. on July 20, 1997. Note: John Aho had a Log Cabin 
Restaurant located on the north side of this home. Restaurant torn down - date 
unknown.


USE PHOTO #BB15


Rev. Jesse & Mary Thomas Log Camp: Located on the Warriner Ledges, Monson Pond. 
Camp destroyed by fire in the Spring of 1995 as a result of an unattended 
campfire left by a couple of men fishing on Monson Pond.


USE PHOTO #BB16


Seth Steward Home: Located at the end of Wilkins Street behind the Swedish 
Lutheran Church. Owners: Raphael Steward, A. Kimball, Robert Tompkins, D. Annis. 
House was burned under a controlled burn and attended by five area Fire 
Departments on April 20, 1986.


MOTHER TOWNS:

Monson, Massachusetts was once part of Brimfield, Mass. and became a district on 
April 25, 1760. Given its name by the Royal Governor in honor of his friend, Sir 
John Monson, who was president of the British Board of Trade. In August 23, 1775, 
it was made a town with representation in the legislature. County-Hampden. 
Location-Southern Mass., bordered on the north by Palmer, on the east by 
Brimfield and Wales, on the west by Wilbraham and Hampden, on the south by the 
State of Connecticut. It is 17 miles from Springfield, 40 miles from Worcester 
and 78 miles from Boston.

The territory originally known as the Plantation of Shepardsfield was granted 
March 8, 1877, by the General Court of the Commonwealth of Mass. to Alexander 
Shepard, Jr. In 1792, Shepardsfield Plantation was incorporated as the Town of 
Hebron. In 1829, Hebron was divided - the western part becoming the Town of 
Oxford. It is surmised that the name of Hebron was taken from the Hebron Baptist 
Church and Society. Act of Incorporation of Monson Academy was passed by the 
Massachusetts House of Representatives on June 21, 1804, and half the Township of 
Monson, Maine was granted as an endowment. They offered 100 acres.

Hebron Academy - The west or southwestern part of Monson was granted by the 
Legislature of Mass. to Hebron Academy, Hebron, Maine in 1811. They offered 50 
acres to actual settlers.

Alexander Greenwood came from Hebron, Maine and was one of the surveyors employed 
by Hebron Academy, who in the year 1822 or 1823, lotted out Monson and other 
towns in the county. Greenwood Pond and Greenwood Mountains were named after him. 
He was killed in 1827 in the Town of Willimantic and was buried in the old 
Churchyard Cemetery in Monson Village.

Abel Goodell came to Monson in 1818 as a surveyor for Monson Academy in Monson, 
Mass. He went back to Massachusetts and didn't return to Monson until 1821, 
moving his family here in 1823. He left Monson in 1833, went to Illinois, and 
then started west, became ill, died and was buried on the prairie.


THUMBNAIL SKETCHES

Monson was called "Cademy" town until the town was incorporated and named Monson.


The first deeds of Monson property were recorded in Somerset County.

Formerly a part of Penobscot County and Somerset County, Piscataquis County was 
incorporated March 23, 1838. On March 12, 1844, a portion of its wild land 
territory was annexed to Aroostook County. Piscataquis County contained 20 towns, 
4 Plantations, area 3626 square miles in year 1919-1920.

The location of Sherman Square is in the center of Main Street, between the canal 
and Water St. (Note: It is now referred to as the Town Square.)

Stage coach drivers - Henry Norcross, W. M. Bradford, Jeremiah MacDonald and Lem 
Nichols. In 1878, Charles Goff.

Oliver Eveleth born in Stow, Mass. Jan. 3, 1792 came to Monson in 1824. He was 
the first to open a store in Monson in 1825. In 1850, he moved to Greenville and 
lived there until his death on June 4, 1874. (The Eveleth house in Greenville, 
owned by him and son John, was destroyed by fire. His son John also owned a 
store, timberlands and steamboat on Moosehead Lake.) Julia Crafts Sheridan, 
granddaughter of Oliver Eveleth.

Solomon Cushman opened the second store in Monson about 1825. He lived in Monson 
until 1856 when he returned to Monson, Mass. There he became a prominent business 
man and owner of Monson Woolen Manufacturing Co.

The first operator of the divining rod who settled in Piscataquis County, of whom 
there is any record, was Royal Day. He came from Monson, Mass., in 1820. Being a 
small, quiet man, he became an expert in locating wells and was called to all 
sections of the county and even back to Mass. to exercise his art or gift. He was 
one of the few who could not only locate the vein, but would tell at what depth 
the water would be found. He used an instrument he made. It's a quarter circle 
made from a hardwood board mounted on a tripod with a plumb bob attached to tell 
when it is level. This quarter circle is sub-divided by lines into lesser quarter 
circles with a scale of figures along each line.

Another Monson divining rod operator, was Edwin R. Haynes. Born in Canaan, New 
Hampshire, in 1836, came to Monson in 1842. He was commissioned postmaster Dec. 
12, 1864 and held this office for nearly 21 years.

In 1972, a divining rod operator or dowser (water witch) was W. L. Dauphinee, age 
87. He was called to various parts of this town and county to exercise his gift. 
To find water, he used a pliable piece of limb from a tree. Almost any wood 
worked for him, but he preferred hazelwood. Dauphinee retired from farming and 
lived quietly with his wife on their farm in Southeast Monson. Note: Both Mr. & 
Mrs. Dauphinee are deceased.

An original constitution of the Maternal Association of Monson, Maine, an 
association in existence in 1830's and 1840's, is owned and held by a resident of 
Monson. Only mothers belonged. They subscribed to a Mothers Magazine published in 
New York which cost $1.00.

Mr. John Carlson - A quarryman of Swedish descent made ski's as a hobby. His 
grandson, Dr. George C. Howard of Guilford, owned the first kicksled made by 
Gustaf Johnson. Dr. Howard donated the kicksled to the Monson Museum.

Bangor and Aroostook Railroad was first known as the Bangor and Piscataquis 
railroad. The little Monson railroad connected with this line at Monson Jct. in 
Abbot, Maine. The Monson Railroad crossed two roads on its way to and from Monson 
Jct. in Abbot, Maine. One was called Days Crossing, located below Pullen's farm 
on the North Guilford road, and the other Stevens Crossing, located by Brian 
Turner's home on the Willimantic Road. In the 1880's, anyone traveling to Boston, 
Mass. from Monson, Maine, had to take the M.R.R. train from Monson to Monson Jct. 
in Abbot. At Monson Jct. board the B. & A. Railroad to Bangor; then travel by 
boat to Boston Harbor.

Engineers (partial list) of the Monson Narrow Gauge Railroad were Julius 
Carlberg, Stanley Stevens (1914), Albert Kronholm (engineer for thirteen years), 
Albion Johnson, and Elwin French who was engineer for the last twelve years it 
was in operation. Albion Johnson, last fireman of the railroad, died in 1958. E. 
French, last engineer of the railroad, died December 23, 1977. Hedley Heaney was 
foreman of section crew for M.R.R. - replaced by Pete Wentworth. Wilmot L. 
Estabrooke was Supt. and Conductor of the Monson Railroad for many years. He died 
in Monson, 1904. Harold Morrill was Ticket Agent, Conductor and Superintendent 
for the Monson Railroad.

A replica of the MRR No. 4 engine was made and entered in the Piscataquis County 
parade held in Dover-Foxcroft in June 1970 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of 
Maine becoming a state. It pulled a trailer representing the old Slate Companies. 
Driver was Robert Lander. (Note: This float remodeled for Monson's 
Sesquicentennial parade, 1972.)

October 10, 1992, former Monson Maine R.R. Engine #3 returns from Edaville, Mass. 
to Maine. September 19, 1993, Monson's vulcan engine No. 4 - returns from 
Edaville to Narrow Gauge R.R. Co. and Museum in Portland, Maine.

Monson Railroad Station building purchased by Clifford Olson in 1990 from Eloise 
& Forrest Stevens. Mr. Olson is currently restoring the train station back to its 
original state.


From the diary of Alvin Gray - longtime resident of Monson: Sept. 4, 1883 - First 
train of cars arrived at station, bringing a good number of visitors. Sept. 28, 
1883 - Went to Abbot on the narrow railroad. Paid assessment- $1.00. Oct. 22, 
1883 - First passenger train to Abbot. Feb. 26, 1887 - 6 degrees below zero. The 
train returning from the Junction last night was snowbound at Day's Crossing 
where it remained with passengers all night. March 16, 1918 - 6 :00 P.M. train 
stalled in snow drift one mile from destination. The next morning passengers 
walked to the Jct.

THE MONSON RAILROAD The Monson Railroad used to run Three or four trains a day 
for fun. But their net profits the whole year through Wouldn't buy the engineer 
one drink of home brew.

So after twenty years they change their style And now they only run a train once 
in a while. Their time-table hangs there high on the wall And looks like a blank 
sheet with a pencil scrawl.

Come over quite close or there's something you'll miss And you'll find that the 
time-table reads something like this: Train number one on track number two Leaves 
Monson whenever they can find their crew, If the weather is fair and the wind 
doesn't blow They'll be back with the mail in a day or so. H.D.

In 1882 - Five quarries were operating with $150,000 of capital invested. There 
were 25,000 squares of roofing slates manufactured annually or 620 car loads. The 
quarries employed 200 men using 35 horses and 12 teamsters to haul the slate to 
the B. & A. Railroad. They consumed 2,500 cords of wood annually and $6,000 was 
paid out to laborers and others.

After opening of the slate quarries, many men and families of English, Scotch and 
Irish descent came in from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada and settled 
here.

Burma or Burmah Quarry Co. founded in 1882. Portland-Monson later owned this 
quarry. Thus the neighborhood on the Blanchard Road was called Burma.

The former Walden Pride (now Diane Walton) house on Water St. was the Monson 
Maine Slate Co. office in 1889.

Buildings at West Monson Slate Co. burned Jan. 16. 1897.

There was an error made on a deed giving one person the ownership of all the land 
that Monson Maine Slate Co. owned. One of the owners of the company convinced him 
to change the deed for which he was paid $25.00. (Rumor)

Monson Maine Slate Co.'s big mill was renovated in 1916 - now Moosehead Mfg. 
Co.'s big mill.

The little mill located between the big mill and finishing building at the 
Portland-Monson Slate Co. was built from lumber of the Doughty barn located on 
Doughty Hill (Greenville Road) and was owned by John Flint when the barn was torn 
down. Hedley Heaney cut a piece of lumber from the ceiling of this mill and used 
it to make the face of a fiddle. Hedley Heaney worked for many years as a quarry 
man in the mill for Portland-Monson Slate Co. The mill no longer stands - torn 
down.

August 28, 1985 - Piscataquis Observer Article (By Susan Bennett): 
Portland-Monson Slate Co. last underground mine in Maine. "The slate from the 
Monson mine is a good grade of black slate. The quality of the slate is 
determined by the number of joints in a bench, whether quartz is mixed in, and 
whether it is solid. The slate is mined from the bottom of the tunnel upwards." 
The Portland-Monson Slate Co. operates the only working quarry of any kind in 
Maine. Specializing in slate tile for floors, the quarry also produces high 
quality black slate for monuments roofing shingles and slate for electric 
circuits.

The former Tolford Durham's (now John Wentworth) house on Pleasant Street was the 
first house to have its roof shingled with slate.

Over the years there have been numerous slate pit accidents at the quarries - 
with workmen being injured and killed. Several children have drowned in abandoned  pits. Also, others have been killed by accidentally falling into the open slate 
pits. Three men were injured in an accident at Hebron Pond Quarry on March 31, 
1881. One of the men died of his injuries the following day, April 1st.

October 18, 1979 - Bangor Daily News Article (By Maureen Williams) - "Falling 
Slate kills Monson miner" - James S. Jordan was killed at the Portland-Monson 
Slate Co.. It was the first mine-related death at Portland-Monson Slate in more 
than 20 years.

Hon. William W. Thomas was the Commissioner of Immigration and brought Swedes to 
Maine in 1870. Several years later the Finnish people arrived.


In 1870-1880, the Baptist Church ladies circle was called Chataugua. Disbanded 
about 1888.

In 1888, Pastor Whitcomb's study in the Baptist Parsonage caught fire. His books 
were burned and filled the home with smoke.

August 23,1884 - Slating the roof of Baptist Church was completed.

February 13, 1913, Ralph Morrill bought the former Baptist Parsonage. (Former Mr. 
& Mrs. Fred Finley's, now Richard Finley's, home on Center St. )

Sadie Emerson, daughter of Rev. Emerson and Elizabeth Tenney, lived in the former 
James Durham (Worden Smith) house on Tenney Hill. Her diary was used as a 
reference source.

The religious affiliation of the two academies reflected in the division of the 
township. The Baptists settling and building their church on the west of Meridian 
Road and the Congregationalists Church to the east.

Dedication of Slate Memorial Tablets at Baptist Church - August 20, 1922. During 
Monson's Centennial weekend, slate tablets given to the church by Hon. D.P. 
Bailey of Everett Mass., son of the first Baptist Minister in Monson. Lettering 
on slate tablets done by Hedley Heaney, workman at P.M.S. Co.

A resident of town owns an original blueprint of the horse shed that was located 
by the Congregational Church. There were also horse stalls attached to the 
Baptist Church with members names on them.

In 1931, a mock wedding, uniting the Baptist and Congregational Churches, was 
held with Minister Martin Sorensen presiding. Agnes Holmbom - bridegroom and 
Beatrix Jackson (Bray) was the bride.

In the Church Cemetery the earliest birth date is 1749, the earliest death date 
is 1824 and the last burial was in 1895. The ashes of Robert & Grace Mathews and 
Jesse & Mary Thomas were buried in the family lot at the Church Cemetery in the 
1990's. Lower Hillside Cemetery - First burial around the 1850's and the Upper 
Hillside Cemetery First burial around 1922. Lakeroad Cemetery - First burial - 
May 12, 1962.

A tribe of Indians, called Kickapoos, pitched tents by Tarr's (former John Durham 
House) Thomas Hall house. They gave free entertainment every night and sold 
Indian medicine in the summer of 1888. (Taken from the journal of Miss Sadie 
Emerson.)

Indians from Indian Point were marooned in town for one week and stayed in what 
was known as the Long Barn located behind the (former Erwin and Erma Small house) 
Jeff Hansen house on Main Street, because of a snow storm in late October (year 
unknown).

August 27, 1886, explosion in Dr. Hall's office at 1 a. m. His office was located 
beside the house formerly owned by Dennis Casey on Main Street. Present owner - 
John Bozin. (Note: Dr. Hall resided in Monson from 1876-1888). On October 23, 
1886, Colby Moore and Al Sears were arrested for blowing up Dr. Hall's office.

Judson Cushman owned a tailor shop located on Main Street across from the old 
church cemetery (former home of Andy Anderson and location of Andy's Slate Shop) 
Present owner: Dottie Shutts).

June 14,1940, Pat and Harry Mackie were murdered and their camp was burned. The 
camp was located on the hill behind the Old Clark Towne farm, Greenville Road. 
Marshall Lovejoy was found guilty of this crime and died in prison.

William Partinen was murdered in the house now owned by Bessie Brown on Tenney 
Hill. A man by the name of Stone was found guilty and sentenced to prison. Stone 
was released after he served his time.

KIDDER SWINDLE: In the year 1835, many farmers became discontented because of the 
severe winter and late spring. Elliot J. Kidder learned of the state of affairs 
and came to Monson. After figuring slyly with some of the residents, he was ready 
to buy farm, stock, produce, etc., but he could not pay money. He had wild lands 
in northern New Hampshire and some old notes against certain parties in the 
vicinity of Norridgewock and Athens, which he called good paper. He secured a 
secret accomplice, a resident of Monson and a man of influence, who affirmed that 
Mr. Kidder was an honest man. There were eight or ten hard working farmers who 
were swindled out of their property. These properties had been legally conveyed 
to Mr. Kidder, and paid for in bogus securities. When this state of affairs was 
learned, the only recourse for them was to arrest him for fraud. He learned of 
this and escaped to Number Eight (Willimantic) where he came upon James Johnson's 
cabin. After many promises, Johnson agreed to conceal him. When the sheriff and 
company arrived, Johnson said he had not seen him. Later a few favored ones, 
directed by the silent partner, went to the camp and obtained payments from 
Kidder. He soon got away and fled the State of Maine. Some of the farms were 
conveyed to new owners. The Capt. Amasa Chapin farm (former Kugler's, now R. 
O'Brien) on North Guilford Road was exchanged for a hotel in New Hampshire. Col. 
Samuel Pillsbury and his father became occupants of the farm.. Nothing more was 
heard of Kidder.

Where the Dr. Varney (former Dennis Casey) now John Bozin house stands, on Main 
Street, there once stood a quaint house with a creaking old signboard announcing 
to the public that the place was Captain Rice's Tavern. The old building burned 
in the big fire of 1860. The "Captain" it referred to was Peabody H. Rice. He 
came to Monson in 1835 from the Kennebec region and was engaged in trading, 
lumbering, tavern keeping and farming. He was elected to various town official 
positions in Monson for many years as well as represented Monson in the Maine 
Legislature in 1860. His brother, John Hovey Rice, became a lawyer. John started 
his law practice in Monson, however, after being burned out in 1860, he moved to 
Foxcroft.

On January 1, 1884, Joseph Mitchell's blacksmith shop burned. The shop was 
located just north of the canal on Main Street.

Onaway Lodge No. 106 - founded 1884. North Star Rebekah Lodge No.38 - founded May 
8, 1891. Doric Lodge No. 149 F.& A. M. - founded 1889.

Masaic Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Dover. Charter given July 16, 1827. 
Charter members from Monson were Solomon Cushman and Andrew Cushman (possibly 
Hiram Folsom). First meeting held in Sangerville in November 1827.

Eda Johnson Anderson was the first Swedish girl to graduate from Monson Academy, 
graduating in the class of 1902.

In the fall of 1921, the Vinton schoolhouse was moved from its original site at 
the junction of the Steward Road and Willamantic Road to a site across the road 
from the present home of Charles Strom in S. E. Monson. This move of nearly one 
mile was accomplished using rolls and skids with double teams of horses and took 
two days. The teams belonged to Frank Steward, William Champion, Lawson 
Dauphinee, John Strom and August Nelson. Classes were then transferred from the 
"Grover" house where school had been held for about five years. This house stood 
where Philip and Bernice Knight now live in S. E. Monson. The school was closed 
in 1939 and is now privately owned .

Graduation exercises, were held in the bandstand when it stood on old hotel lot, 
between James (now Worden Smith) and John Durham's (now Thomas Hall) houses , 
after Carlson's (Tarr's) Hall was torn down. Graduation exercises and senior 
plays were also held in the Baptist Church on Pleasant Street in 1943-1944.

The Monson Academy yearbook, called the "Pharetra", was first published in 1895, 
the last published in 1969. The yearbook wasn't published in 1918-1919 and 
1927-1928.

Peter Haggstrom and family were the first Swedish family to settle in Monson. 
Settled here in August 1882. John L. Johnson (Note: Esther Johnson Pennington's 
father) and family were the second Swedish family to arrive.

One of the early settlers, Timothy Morton, came to Monson about 1828-29, and 
built a ten room house on Morton Street (now known as North Guilford Road). He 
was a carpenter, made furniture and caskets, which he sold in the neighboring 
towns.

In 1867, the town voted to fence burying grounds and to allow the Congregational 
Society to build their meeting house on the common.

April 10, 1884 - The town voted to build an engine house and contracted with W. 
R. Thombs to build the new fire engine house.

Dec 28, 1888 - G.A.R. hall destroyed by fire along with two other buildings.

March 24, 1887 - Monson women trying to raise $250.00 to purchase a hearse. It 
had wheels for the summer months and runners for the winter months.

Fred Spencer, businessman on Main Street in 1900's bought the Tarr Hall. It 
became known as Spencer's Hall. He was shot by a hunter in Blanchard, Maine. His 
house, located on upper Water Street, is presently owned by Malcolm Melia.

In the 1930's, Charles Grover and Henry Grover made and sold baskets (clothes 
baskets, etc.).

The building known as the "Rat Hole" was located on Main Street before 1911 fire. 
It was moved before the fire to the alley (Mitchell Street) behind Charles W. 
Stevens (now Zelma Stevens) house and was the residence of Tom Gerry. Present 
owner: Dominick Trimarchi.

A building located in the alley (Mitchell Street) was once a pool hall, shooting 
gallery and sold beer, candy, etc. Former owners: Thomas Crawford, Fred Rioux, 
Harold Flint, D. Trimarchi, now E. Hamilton. Rioux operated a barber shop in the 
front of the building. The family lived in the apartment on the second floor.

The Thomas house - H. M. Thomas and wife, Lottie Thomas, Prop. Located on S. Main 
Street was a rooming house. In 1972, residence of their daughter, Jettie Thomas 
Hennigan. Presently owned by Ethel Domitz.

The Sears House, located on Water Street, was a rooming house. Owned by L. 
Littlefield, Mrs. Calvin Sears, and in 1972, Harriet Kronholm. Present owner - 
Harriet's daughter Leslie (Kronholm) Walls-Grant.

Alvin Gray came to Monson in 1871. In 1873, he bought the grist mill and 
purchased a saw mill in 1884 which he sold to the Monson Maine Slate Co around 
1923. He married Addie Pullen on Jan. 27, 1875. In 1886, Gray and with four 
others, formed a corporation to manufacture the Arctic Butter Box. In 1897, Gray 
purchased the springs or water wells located off the North Guilford Road and 
brought the water into the village. The former Monson Spring Water Co. is now 
owned by the Town of Monson.

Arthur Kronholm had a broom factory on Chapin Ave. As a young man, he lost his 
eyesight in a fire works accident on July 4th. He learned to make brooms at 
school for the blind. In 1972, home of Albert Kronholm. Presently owned by Orman 
Kronholm.

In the 1920's, Sara Poole had a telephone office upstairs in the Erwin and Erma 
Small's house (now Jeff Hansen) on Main Street. Downstairs there was a hardware 
store run by Allie Daine about 75 years ago.

The telephone office was located in the former B. Storer's house (now Andrew 
Lowell, Sr.) in the 1930-1940's.

Will Bray owned a Tin Shop located on Main Street. (Present site of the Monson 
Health Clinic) The shop was converted into a dwelling owned by Lu Carter Gray. 
Later the house was moved to Pleasant Street and in 1972 owned by Sheldon 
Stanchfield. Present owner: Daina Allen.

Edward and Wallace Homer made paddles of all sizes. Seth Steward decorated 
(painted) pictures on them. These were sold at the Boston Sportsman's Show years 
ago.

Wallace Homer was a state licensed taxidermist. He did small birds, animals, deer 
heads, etc.

The Gum Factory - The Eastern Gum Co. was formed in 1920 by Harry Davis. The 
company was located in the house presently owned by Mrs. Edmund Arsenault on 
Pleasant Street. He employed several women to wrap the finished product - 
Margaret Smith, Lilla Lambert, Pearl Sargent and Lottie Bruce. Several high 
school friends of Margaret Davis Farnham also helped during school vacation. 
Harry's daughter, Dorothy Finley, served as office secretary and shipping clerk. 
The company went out of business in the late 1940's. Fred Jackson built both the 
home that once housed the Gum Factory and the one across the street presently 
owned by Mike & Gina Reed on Pleasant Street. He was the father of Viva Jackson 
Beckwith. Mrs. Beckwith gave the DAR a house on Main Street for Historical 
purposes.

Monson band furnished music for a V-J Day celebration in Guilford on Thursday 
evening, August 16, 1945.

Hammonds' Orchestra played for a V-J dance in IOOF hall in Greenville on 
Wednesday night, August 15, 1945. Members were Lawrence and Olive Hammond of 
Monson and Lewis Plummer, of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine.

A. S. Garland house - located on Main Street- was sold to Henry & Mary Haley. The 
Haley's opened a rooming house under the name of Haley's Tourist Home in 1940-50. 
Purchased by Gordon and Janette Hall and used as a private residence. Present 
owner: Wilma Stevens of Massachusetts.

NAMES OF STREETS IN 1889 - l972

Water Street, Forest Ave. Chapin Ave. Pleasant St. Center St. Wilkins Street 
Dirigo Street. Hebron Street Willimantic Rd. Lake St. - Greenville Rd. Main 
Street - from Gulf Station to Elliottsville Rd. Tenney Hill - from Gulf Station 
to Fork of Blanchard Rd and Rt. 15 Grove St. - above fork of Blanchard Rd and 
going up Tenney Hill.. High Street- Homer Hill Morton Street - North Guilford 
Road


NEW STREET AND ROAD NAMES ADOPTED BY THE TOWN IN 1995 UNDER THE 911 ADDRESSING 
ORDINANCE. Greenville Road Tenney Hill Road Water Street Elliottsville Road 
Doughty Pond Rd Blanchard Road North Guilford Road Willimantic Road Steward Road 
Bjork Road Pleasant Street Indian Point Loop Towne Cove Lane Hebron Street 
Wilkins Street Center Street Homer Hill Road Mathews Road Chapin Ave. Forrest 
Ave. Eighteen Pond Rd Garage Street Packard Road Spring Road Degerstrom Road 
Beech Tree Lane Ralph Kneeland Mem. Drive Thomas Road Kelley Orchard Rd Kronholm 
Camp Road Wildwood Loop Camp Comfort Road Loon Club Road Gully Brook Spur 
Whitings Cove Road Abbott Avenue Ruksznis Lane Drinkwater Lane Brown Alley 
Carlson Alley Barrows Falls Road North Pond Rd South Pond Rd Mitchell Street 
Bodge Farm Rd Granger Road Shore Road Wallace Street West Quarry Rd Hillside 
Quarry Rd Moosehorn Road Island Road Jackson Brook Lane Farm Quarry Road Pease 
Camp Road Eighteen Pond Cut Off Narrow Gauge South Wyman Road Narrow Gauge North 
Stanton Alley Ranta Lane Sal's Avenue Pullen Lane Wilson Lane Parrot Siding Road 
Birch Island

APPALACHIAN TRAIL: The Appalachian Trail goes thru the township of Monson from 
the Blanchard/Monson town line along the head of Lake Hebron, follows the Bray 
Road and Pleasant Street into town. From town, it follows Rt. 15, along the 
Elliottsville Road, up the Mathews Road and then goes east to the 
Elliottsville/Monson town lines. Monson is the last stop before starting out on 
the last 100 mile trek, going north, to Mt. Katahdin. Hikers make Monson their 
last stop over to pickup mail, supplies, and overnight lodging with hot showers 
and home cooked meals at Shaw's Boarding Home or Pratt's Boarding Home. The trail 
is heavily traveled in the summer months. In 1986, the National Park Service 
purchased a large strip of land over Buck Hill for relocation of the trail. The 
new trail, starting at the Monson/Blanchard town line, now is over 1000 feet in 
width, includes 4500 feet of frontage on Lake Hebron, and goes over Buck Hill 
where it crosses Route 15 (Greenville Road) at ledge cut heading east to 
Elliottsville.

The Old Savage Road was a stage coach road which left Monson and followed the 
Mathews Road and the Central Maine Power right-of-way to a town called Wilson 
(incorporated in 1836 de-organized in 1848) and on to Greenville. The land that 
made up the Town of Wilson was divided between Shirley, Elliottsville and 
Greenville. (Note: Nelson Savage started Town of Wilson.)

The Old Stage Road crossed the narrows between the little and big ponds of Lake 
Hebron. The dirt road, by the Mathews place, was a direct stage coach road from 
Monson to the "Old Savage Opening" and on to Greenville until 1857. Until 1986, 
the Appalachian Trail followed the eleven or so miles from Monson to the Savage 
Opening.

Henry David Thoreau, the famous naturalist-author, traveled this road in 
September, 1853. His account in "The Maine Woods" shows him to have passed 
through Monson and on past the Mathews place.

New road around Doughty Hill - October 13, 1915, "Went over the new road around 
Doughty Hill". (Taken from Alvin Gray's diary)

Green Hill or Jenne's Hill - Central Maine Power right of way off the 
Elliottsville Road and past the Mathews farm. Central Maine Power right of way 
was abandoned several years ago when the new transmission lines were installed 
along Route 15 to Greenville.

Hebron, Monson, Doe and Spectacle Ponds are the principal bodies of water. Lake 
Hebron, the largest, is 3 miles long and 1 mile wide. The Piscataquis River runs 
across the Southwest corner of the township. Streams are Wilson and Phillips 
Brook (outlet of Lake Hebron) Doughty Hill is the highest elevation of land.

Tax valuation of Monson Population 1870 - $ 134,520. 608 1880 - $ 159,460. 827 
1972 - $ 1,292,760. In 1970- 850 167 Poll Taxes 1990 -$26,417,070. 744 1997 
-$34,964,930. 785 Estimated

The Government's elevation mark for sea level was moved from the former Gulf 
Station site (now Kennedy Slate) to the square on Main Street in front of the 
former Collin Bickford's house. (now owned by Chris Harrington). Monson is 850' 
above sea level.

The center of town is depicted by a benchmark placed in the ground and located at 
the lower driveway of John & Melinda Wentworth's (former Tolford Durham's) home 
on Pleasant Street.

Silent policeman or traffic guide stood in the town square opposite the canal in 
circa 1930's and 40's, silently directing traffic to and from Main and Water 
Streets. Date removed unknown.

Hay scales were once located in what is now known as the town triangle flower bed 
between So. Main Street (North Guilford Road) and Route 15 (Tenney Hill Road).

Piscataquis Savings Bank (1882 Atlas) located on Water Street in the Old Railroad 
Station buildings. Guilford Trust Co. Bank of Guilford located in P. W. Knights 
store in 1930-40's. In 1997, Key Bank of Maine (Guilford) holds bank hours in 
Monson on Thursday's 1-5 P.M. every week.

In June 1922, a storm (small hurricane or tornado) lifted the roof off the 
Charles Weeks barn to the middle of the road and completely destroyed the Sprague 
barn. Only pieces of it could be found back in the woods. These barns were 
located on the Elliottsville Road in the vicinity of the Elmer and Eva Kelley 
property.

The Mabel Pullen's (now Barry Tetlow) house on Main Street was once an ice-house 
for the A.F. Jackson Store (now Chris Harrington's four-unit apartment building).


Cpl. Reginald Leighton, son of Vance Leighton, was prisoner for 3 1 /2 years 
after the fall of Bataan in the Philippines. He was liberated in September of 
1945 from Osaka, Japan. He had been in the service about 18 months when taken 
prisoner during W. W. II.

In 1920, Arthur Farrar, brother of Mary Farrar Jones, found an old Spanish coin 
dated 16-while helping dig the cellar of the Baptist Church.

In 1885, Smith's printing establishment of Bangor, Maine, published a line of 
country newspapers, including one for Monson, called "The Monson Slate". Later in 
1888 the Gazette in Dexter consolidated with Day & Bunker and the paper became 
known as "The Dexter Gazette and Monson Slate". It was two newspapers in one. 
Each editor was free to present his own views upon all subjects. This lasted 
about eight or nine years.

Many articles of interest were published in the Piscataquis Observer, Spectator 
and Moosehead Gazette. The latter newspaper did a series of articles on older 
citizens of Monson during the summer of 1972. The Spectator ran a series of 
pictures and articles of the Seth Steward paintings.

Levi Flint was the reporter for the Monson Centennial Celebration on August 
19,1922.

Earle Jackson was Monson's reporter for the Piscataquis Observer for 50 years. 
Granite for foundations under many homes in Monson came from Willimantic on 
Granite Mountain. Samuel Robinson erected a building in 1827 for carding and 
cloth dressing. He started dressing cloth in 1828 and carding cloth the following 
year. After a few years he sold to Mr. Thomas Scales. Scales in turn sold to 
Stedman Kendall who moved the machinery to Abbot. The location of this building 
is unknown. S. Robinson settled on a farm in Monson where he remained until his 
death.

Silver Mine - Around 1880 a discovery on the Drake farm (Elliottsville Road) 
found an extensive mine containing silver and lead. The ore was assayed and 
showed a paying quantity of silver contained in it. There is high expectations of 
rich deposits and a company is forming and preparing to work it. (Account taken 
from A. Loring's History of Piscataquis County.) (Note: Apparently nothing ever 
came of it.) Cement sidewalks on Main Street built about 1913-14. Main St. was 
rebuilt and paved in 1955-56. The sidewalks were paved, the maple trees removed 
and extensive repairs done to the canal which runs under the road.

In the old original house, belonging to Capt. Whitney in the 1820's, many 
important events occurred. The Congregational Church was organized, the first 
town meeting held, the first post office eventually kept, and the first birth in 
the village, to Mr. and Mrs. W. Hyde. This house burned and was rebuilt. Formerly 
owned by Louise Grover (now Norman Berthiaume) on upper Water Street.

The Monson Museum, founded in 1972, located on the second floor of the Grand Army 
of the Republic Building on Main Street, has one of two hose-drying towers in the 
state. The hose towers were used for drying fire hoses in the old days. Also has 
one of the few remaining snow rollers in the state.

The Snow Roller, which is owned by the Monson Historical Museum, was built in 
1914 by Walter Sears of Willimantic. The Town of Willimantic used the roller 
until 1932-33. The roller was given to the Society in 1973 by Paul Patterson of 
Willimantic. It was restored by the society and the first "Snow Roller Day" was 
held on February 8, 1975. Fritz Elliot of Blanchard, with his team of horses, 
rolled the roads throughout the village.

New set of Moosehorns - The Monson Historical Society had a new set of Moosehorns 
installed on the Monson/Abbot town line on Route 15 in 1996. The horns were 
donated by the Maine Warden Service. Paul Vainio of Blanchard attached the horns 
on the same pole which was donated by Portland Monson Slate Co. in 1914. 
Moosehorns have been on the site since 1817.

John F. Sprague, died in Dover-Foxcroft in 1926. His estate, including the 
Historical Library, was willed to the "Good Will Home Association" in Hinckley, 
Maine. Today, Hinckley Home School/Farm is establishing the "Sprague Historical 
Library". The volumes of his work will be placed in the wing of Carnegie Library 
facing Golden Rule. The collection will be assessable to anyone wishing to 
research genealogical and historical data.

The new Monson Post Office opened for business on Monday, September 29, 1986. The 
new post office has modern post office boxes with key locks instead of the 
combination type with 80 additional boxes available.

Pooh Corner Nursery School began in 1979 under the direction of Bernice "Bunny" 
Knight and Agnes Ackley. Agnes retired in 1984. Classes were held in the 
downstairs meeting room of the Monson Municipal Building. Bunny retired in June 
of 1997. Wendy Bickford is currently teaching at the Pooh Corner Nursery.

Monson Finnish Farmers Club 50th Anniversary - July 24, 1985. History compiled by 
Martha Viik, Ethel Higgins and Maila Korsman.

The Community Band has held annual band concerts in the bandstand since August 
12, 1994. Sponsored by the Monson Historical Society.

MONSON SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING COMMITTEE consisting of George Rongner 
(CoChairman), Jeanne Reed ( Co-Chairman & Secretary), James Wentworth, 
(Treasurer), Dagmar Greenleaf, Bernadine Poole, and Dorothy Holmbom met for the 
first time on July 3, 1979. During the summer of 1979, the committee worked 
continuously by meeting every two weeks until September and weekly through 
December, on incorporating, adopting by-laws and selecting a suitable site. The 
Senior Citizen Housing Committee was incorporated as the Monson Housing 
Corporation on August 29, 1979. Robert Brown and Tad Turner became members in 
August of 1979. The Lester Olson Lot (Tenney Hill) was selected as the site for 
the proposed senior citizen housing complex after the committee reviewed eleven 
different sites. An option was given to the Housing Corporation by the Olson 
Family February 1980. An application was made to the Farmers Home Administration 
for 20 housing units with an estimated cost of $860,000.00. The Corporation 
continued to seek funding over the next ten years, but were unsuccessful due to 
the reduction in federal funds. In 1988/89Albert & Alice Theriault, experienced 
in obtaining FHA funding and owners of two housing complexes in Guilford and 
Greenville, asked the Housing Corporation to turn the Olson land option over to 
them as they had funding available to build a 20 unit complex within a year's 
time. The Corporation members voted and the Olson Family agreed to the 
arrangement. The Monson Housing Corporation dissolved and the funds were returned 
to the town in 1991.

Monson Solid Waste Transfer Station was constructed in August 1993. A ramp made 
of waste slate from the Kineo site was built by John Tatko. Three roll-off 
dumpsters, a trailer for metals and white goods, waste oil barrel and recycling 
trailer were placed east of the sand shed at the Kineo Pit site. In September of 
1993, the townspeople ceased using the abandoned slate pit for rubbish disposal. 
In 1995, the town purchased a railroad box car to store recyclables.

November 15, 1974 - Notification from New England Telephone reads as follows: We 
are extremely pleased to announce that you will be able to dial your own long 
distance station-tostation calls beginning November 23, 1974 at 12:01 a.m. The 
enclosed pamphlet contains Direct Distance Dialing instructions. Also effective 
at this time, an improvement will be made for oneand two-party customers in the 
564, 965, 924, 695, 876, 943 and 997 exchanges. This improvement eliminates the 
need for an operator coming in on the line when you dial your long distance 
calls.


February 8, 1975, Monson Snow Roller Day - Events as follows: Snow and ski 
dashes; snow shoveling contest; kick-sled races; sleigh rides; Lake Hebron 
fishing derby; essay contest at elementary school; antique display at gym all 
afternoon; supper served by "Narrow Gauge Riders" at the Community Church dining 
room; Square dances by "Lords and Ladies" at the Monson Gym; Public dance later 
at the Monson Gym.

October 15, 1983 - Peanut Roaster Day - Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 
Monson Narrow Gauge Railroad. Commenced operation in 1883 - abandoned in 1945. 
Known as the "Two by Six" - Narrow gauge 2 foot wide track and six miles long. 
Fondly known as the "Peanut Roaster". Owned and operated by Monson Maine Slate 
Co., to transport slate from the quarries to Abbot, Maine to connect with the 
Bangor and Aroostook Railroad. Also carried many happy basketball fans (sometimes 
standing) to Monson Jct. at tournament time. In 1983, Engines #3 & #4 were 
located and in use at the Cranberry bogs at Edaville - S. Carver, Mass. Events 
for the day included: Parade; down home country fair; model train displays, folk 
music, Contra Band Dancing; farmers market; hayrides; crafts, raffles, bake off 
contest; games - greased pole, sack races, and more; Supper: Homemade baked beans 
and ham; Dance. The Monson Historical Society sponsored the event.

Advertisement written by F.H. Crane, Proprietor, Lake Hebron Hotel: The Lake 
Hebron Hotel is supplied with running spring water on every floor, of a superior 
quality, taken through pipes from a spring one-third of a mile from the house. 
The sanitary arrangements of the hotel are strictly first-class in every respect. 
With the exception of the "Annex", for the use of the help, there are not 
buildings of any description connected with the hotel. This arrangement does away 
with the detestable odors from stables and other buildings too often found 
connected with hotel properties. A livery stable is run in connection with the 
hotel, where all the conveniences for driving may be obtained a reasonable rates. 
There are many pleasant drives in and around Monson. Moosehead Lake is but 
fourteen miles distant, and the way thither presents to the eye many pretty 
combinations of mountain and lake scenery not surpassed anywhere in this State. 
Sebec Lake is reached after a drive of ten miles through a fertile farming 
region; and there are many shorter drives to points of interest. The 
opportunities for boating are greatly appreciated by nearly all tourists. We can 
furnish safe boats for the oar and paddle at the hotel wharf. Steamer "Molly 
Tomah" will at any time accommodate those desiring a trip to the head of the 
lake, three miles, or other points about the lake, at moderate expense. We wish 
to lay particular stress on the fact that "hay fever" and the climate of Monson 
are incompatible. We have Railroad, Telegraph, and long distance telephone 
connections with all points. Nine hours' ride from Boston during summer months. 
Leave Boston 8 a.m., arrive at Monson 5:12 p.m. The table at the Lake Hebron 
Hotel will be supplied with the best at all times. Terms, $2.00 per day. (Date of 
advertisement unknown)

The following are excerpts taken from early issues of the Piscataquis Observer: 
October 28, 1909 - Greenville Light & Power Co. - setting poles down to 
Portland-Monson Slate Co., to furnish electricity to the business. Dec. 13, 1909 
- Fire destroyed the Spencer block. Saturday afternoon about 4 p.m. Fred Jarvis 
(Mrs. Flint's boarder) discovered the fire in upper part of the house around the 
chimney and scuttle hole in the attic. Occupied by S.T. Flint, S.J. Hughes' 
barber shop and men's furnishing store and Leonard Wickman's pool room. July 21, 
1910 - Perley Lambert is the owner of the latest motor boat on Lake Hebron. Built 
by H. E. Smith. Will carry 8 or 10 passengers. Run by a 2 ´ H.P. detroit engine. 
Wednesday night - Nov. 8, 1911 - 10 P.M. - Fire on Main Street - burned from 
Spencer block to W.A. Bray Store. Sept. 7, 1911 - Gerry Post of Monson completed 
the new hall in the upper part of the engine house. Nov. 23, 1911 - Building 
which was erected immediately after the 1911 fire for R.M. Hescock bought by P. 
W. Knight. Knight had it moved onto his land in the vicinity of Amos Knight's 
livery stable. (Now Paul Allen's shed) Nov. 1911 -Otto Mattson's farm buildings 
nearly burned, but saved. (Note Mattson Farm located below Phillip's Brook at the 
end of Water Street). August 1, 1912 - C.E. Sargent has built and launched the 
second steam boat on Lake Hebron. It was 21 feet long and built for his own use. 
August 8, 1912 - Boy Scouts organized. Oct. 30, 1913 - The town erected a hose 
tower on the east side of G.A.R. hall where hoses could be dried. (Dried 
previously at one of the quarries in winter and a side hill in summer). May 22, 
1913 - Fred Jarvis opened a pool and billiard room in basement of Masonic block. 
Also will carry cigars, tobacco, candy and fruit. May 22, 1913 - W. A. Bray 
rebuilt the front of his store. June 12, 1913 - Graduation of grammar school held 
in Congregational Church. June 19, 1913 - A.S. Knight having an addition built 
onto the east end of his livery stable. June 18, 1914 - Levi M. Sturdevant of St. 
Albans presented $6,000.00 to Monson Academy. July 2, 1914 - East Monson 
Telephone Co. - semi-annual meeting at home of W .W. Crooker. President - Hiram 
Crooker. July 16, 1914 - P. W. Knight was having a storehouse erected near the 
old cider mill. (Note: Cider mill was located on Garage Street below J. Ruksznis 
house) July 30, 1914 - Output of slate from Quarries - 1000 car loads with the 
highest before being 800. Monson Pond quarry was pumped out and slate is being 
mined - four quarries now being operated by Monson Maine Slate Co. August 5, 1915 
- New road started around Doughty Hill. August 12, 1915 - On August 14, 1890 - 
The Lake Hebron Navigation Co. purchased the steamer - Addie Adams belonging to 
Judson Briggs. The steamer had been in service on Sebec Lake. August 19, 1915 - 
The Lake Hebron Packing Co., owned by Willie Bray, was meeting with success - 
canning peas and beans. (Note: Company located behind Monson Academy and old 
Church Cemetery.) Oct. 28, 1915 - Wallace Howard & Allie P. Dane slated many 
roofs in Monson and surrounding towns. February 3, 1927 - The new fire whistle 
blew for the first time at 4:45 -Thursday morningfor a fire at Peter Johnson's 
home on Tenney Hill. (This same whistle was still used in 1972 and located on top 
of the DAR Museum (Old Town Hall) building. Portland Monson Slate Co. purchased a 
cemetery lot at the Hillside Cemetery. The lot was used by the company to bury 
those who lost their lives in accidents at the mines. Many of the single young 
men who worked at the quarry came from Sweden and Finland and had no relatives or 
family living in town.

The following are excerpts taken from the Annual Town Reports:

March 1971 - Monson Better Health Association transferred $6,427.00 to the Town 
of Monson. The funds to be invested and used to improve the health and medical 
facilities, services and standards in the community under the supervision of the 
Board of Selectmen. March 1971 - Townspeople voted to use $500.00 from surplus to 
complete the downstairs area of the new Municipal Building. In 1975, Patten 
Appraisal Associates of Portland conducted a revaluation of the town property 
values. Spring 1975, the Town Office started Automobile Re-registrations. March 
1976 - Farrin Bros. & Smith had plowed the town roads for the 30 consecutive 
years. In 1997, 51 consecutive years. March 10, 1976, Dorothy Holmbom was elected 
the first Selectwoman in Monson. She served on the Board of Selectmen for six 
years. Cindi Annis (1985 to present) and Kathleen Jennison (1990 to 1992) are the 
only other women to serve on the Board to date. 1976 - Dr. Isaac Nelson passed 
away. Dr. Joseph Alley relocated to Dr. Nelson's former office on Main Street. 
(Former Donald Keene Block) July 1976 - Bridge Construction hot-topped the entire 
two miles of the Steward Road. January 1977 - Town Office was broken into - 
$700.00 stolen. Thief never caught. In March 1977, the town raised $1,000.00 to 
purchase the Ed and Audrey Higgins property on the Spring Road. The building was 
donated to the Narrow Gauge Snowmobile Club. September 18, 1980 - Baxter Stone 
fell 200 or more feet into the Kineo Pit Quarry and survived. The abandoned slate 
quarry was being used as the town's rubbish dump at the time of the accident. 
1981 - Old garage's on Hebron Street were torn down and eleven and one-half miles 
of State Aid roads were turned back to the town for summer and winter 
maintenance. January 25, 1983 -Special Town Meeting - Monson Maine Slate Co. 
(Fletcher Co.) and town agreed on settlement of the Kineo Pit lawsuit. August 
1983 - James Smith Construction started work on the "limited" sewer system. 1988 
- Phase II Sewer Project started and included Center Street and North Main St. 
Homes. In 1983, William Hamlin of Sebec, completed the equalization of the 
property values in Monson. In 1983, the Monson Fire Department entered into the 
County Plectron fire alarm system. In 1984, the Municipal Bldg. had four new 
overhead doors installed with electric openers. New flooring was installed in the 
downstairs meeting room and a new copier was purchased for the Town Office. In 
1984, a new skating hut was built by the Foxcroft Academy Industrial Arts class. 
Honor Roll was moved in front of the Municipal Building and small lighted 
Christmas trees were placed on the Main Street telephone poles at Christmas time. 
In 1984, the aluminum siding on the gym was replace with new clapboards. A new 
well was drilled to supply water to the gym. The Monson Academy building was torn 
down by the Leeman Brothers of Brownville at a cost of $1,000.00. March 1985 - 
Townspeople vote to accept the gift of land from the Faith School of Theology. 
The site of the Swedish Methodist Church, demolished by fire, was given to the 
town. The Doble house was removed to make room for the new skating rink. August 
2-4, 1985 - The Monson Finnish Farmers' Club sponsored a Finnish Festival in 
honor of its 50th Anniversary as a Finnish-American organization. Spring 1986 - 
Fire Dept. involved in search for Kaye Johnson. She was never found. In 1986 - 
Town Selectmen signed contract with Moosehead Enterprizes Cable Co. for cable TV 
in Monson. During 1989 - the town completed the repairs (painting, electrical 
wiring, new roof) to the bandstand at its new location - the site of the old 
Monson Academy building. Summer of 1990 - New Boat launching pad was constructed 
on Lake Hebron behind the Masonic Building. Summer of 1990 - Lakeroad Cemetery 
(Greenville Road) was enlarged, leveled and seeded. Trees were planted on the 
roadside in 1991. Swedish Annual Reunion, formed August 18, 1990. First reunion 
held in the dining room at the Monson United Church of Christ. New School 
Blinking Lights were erected within the school zone in 1991 at a cost of 
$4,000.00. March 1, 1991, Clarence "Socky" Pratt, retired after working for 27 
years as the town's Public Works Supervisor. Summer of 1991 - The town started a 
recycling program in town at the Kineo Pit site. Fall - 1991 - Monson Community 
Skating Rink was made using 8x8 timbers at the Memorial Park (former site of 
Bessie Doble's home and Swedish Methodist Church) by the Skating Rink Committee. 
Water is used from Phillips Brook to flood the area February 9, 1992, Frank W. 
Nelson, died. He was the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and had served over 
25 years on the board. November 1994 - Chapin Ave. Waterline was installed. Five 
households and Moosehead Mfg. Co. were connected to the town water supply. Five 
additional curb stops were installed for future development on the vacant lots. 
Summer of 1994 - Towne-Holmbom Post #116 moved the town's flagpole to the front 
lawn of the Municipal Building. Kris Kringle Fair - Held the first Saturday in 
December since 1983. In 1994 -Finnish dancers from Finland, touring the United 
States, performed at the Monson Gym. A slate "Key to the Town" was presented to 
the group as a special "Thank You".

The following are lists of Monson's Doctors, Dentists, Sextons, Town Clerks, Town 
Managers and Lawyers:

DOCTORS: Dr. Alpheus Davison Dr. Harding Dr. James Leighton Dr. Brown Dr. Josiah 
Jordan Dr. Crosby Dr. Clement Dr. Varney Dr. Sumner Patten Dr. Sampson Dr. C.C. 
Hall Dr. Emerson Dr. Killam Dr. Kerr Dr. Penta Dr. Philip Thomas Dr. Hanscom, 
Dr. Robert Colton MacDuffee, last resident doctor. Dr. Isaac Nelson, office hours twice a week (Tues. 
& Sat.) lived in Greenville. Died 1976 Dr. Joseph Alley - 1976 - for several 
years. Monson Health Clinic - Dr. Lawrence DuBien, Dr. McCann

DENTISTS: Dr. C. E. Sawyer Dr. B. M. O'Brien Dr. Edmund Harvey


SEXTONS: Leon Thomas - Before 1925 Fred Wilkins - 1925-1927 Dennis Weeks 
1928-1933 Elwood Lord 1934 Arthur Haggstrom 1935-1946 Arthur Bjork 1946-1947 
Weldon Connor 1952-1977 Arvo T. Korsman 1978-1979 Richard Panciera 1979 Philip 
Knight 1980-1984 Wayne Garceau 1984-85 John Gillespie 1985-1986 Harold Flint Jr. 
1986-1987 Kirk Ryder 1988- Present (1997)

TOWN CLERKS: John H. Rice (1981-1838)* E. Flint (1839-1848)* James Bell 
(1839-1853)* L.S. Pullen (1838-1865)* S.A. Patten (1863)* E. R. Haynes 
(1852-1868)* W. S. Knowlton (1864)* A.S. Chapin (1868)* Frank A. Hart (1884)* 
Charles Folsom (1884, 1886-1887)* C. C. Hall (1881, 1883, 1890-1891)* L. S. Hall 
(1892)* E. T. Hescock (1892-1907) Roy Hescock (1908) W. Harry Hughes (1909-1953) 
Stanley A. Robinson (1954-1980) Jeanne (Brown) Reed (1981-1992) First woman Town 
Clerk Julie (Sargent) Anderson (1992 - Present) *Dates taken from early clerk 
records. Actual length of terms unknown)

TOWN MANAGERS: Lyle C. Towne - 1947-1952 Wilbur Kronholm - 1952-1957 Lyle C. 
Towne - 1958-1965 Blaine "Ben" Robinson - 1965-1966 Robert E. Lander - 1966-1974 
Michael T. LaChance - Jan. 1975 - July 1975 Curtis Lunt - Aug. 1975 - Oct. 1977 
David Hoisington - Nov. 1977- July 1978 John E. Madigan - Aug. 1978 - Sept. 1980 
Ruel P. Cross - Oct. 1980 - Oct. 1992 Jeanne B. Reed - Oct. 1992 - Present (First 
woman Town Manager)

LAWYERS: Hon. Cyrus A. Packard Lester A. Olson John F. Sprague Ephriam Flint John 
H. Rice James Bell

DROWNINGS: LAKE HEBRON: John T. Delano -- Dec. 4, 1822. Alfred Ely - Son of 
Samuel Robinson - July 4, 1831. Streeter Strout - Autumn of 1840. Charles M. Tarr 
- July 10, 1858. Keith Jones - Dec. 4, 1941. Walter Hennigan - July 25, 1965. 
Little Pond - Norman Stanchfield Son of Milton Stanchfield, July 20, 1931.

MONSON POND: John Kongas - Sept. 1912 Ivan Isakson - Aug. 1, l965 Edgar Kronholm 
- Nov. I4, 1971. Robert Bowen - Nov. 14, 1971 (From Carmel). Robert Bowen, Jr. - 
Nov. 14, 1971 (From Carmel). Reginald Hansen - Nov. 14, 1971 (From Bangor).

DOE POND: Brian Blanchard - May 1982 Patrick Tainter - May 1982


USE PHOTO #


August 1994 - Sheldon Slate Co Products, Inc. - Owner John Tatko and Glenn 
Clawson cutting the raw slate for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' grave marker.


USE PHOTO "OBSERVER" NEWS ARTICLE DATED AUGUST 28, 1985


August 28, 1985 - John Sandberg, the last hoist operator at Portland-Monson Slate 
Co. Shown sitting at the controls for the wire cable that hoists both men and 
slate out of the Monson Quarry. (Photo taken by S. Bennett)


USE PHOTO #T3


OLD METHOD of lowering the miners down the mine shaft. The men were lowered down 
into the slate mine via a wooden box by the operator in the hoister house. (Old 
Photo)


USE PHOTO IN "OBSERVER" NEWS ARTICLE DATE AUGUST 1985. #T4


NEW METHOD of lowering miners down the mine shaft. John Tatko, manager of the 
Portland-Monson Slate Co., a fourth generation miner, stands in the cage used to 
lower men and equipment into the quarry, waiting for hoist operator John Sandberg 
to lower him 450 feet to the floor of the mine. (Photo taken by S. Bennett - 
1985)


USE PHOTO #


MOOSEHEAD MFG. COMPANY - Sawmill and log pile located beyond the furniture plant. 
The sawed logs are used in making furniture in the Monson and Dover-Foxcroft 
mills. (1997 Photo)


USE PHOTO #


MOOSEHEAD MFG. COMPANY - Workers L-R: Anna Huff, Betty Bjork, Laura Pelletier. 
Lumber is being milled to be manufactured into furniture in the Monson and 
Dover-Foxcroft mills. (1997 Photo)


USE PHOTO #T7


June 10, 1987, James Huff added two wings on the sides of the original Veterans 
Honor Roll, honoring those who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. James 
received his Eagle Scout Award for this service project. (Photo by G. Knowles)


USE PHOTO # T8


In 1991, School Caution Lights were installed, within the school zone, on Main 
Street. The lights flash when Monson school children are going to or returning 
home from school.

USE PHOTO #


MAIN STREET- Looking North - The third and fourth buildings on left demolished 
Oct. 1985 to make space for new Post Office Building. L-R: Adams Building, Post 
Office/Appalachian Station Restaurant, Dawes Bldg., Jorgenson's Variety and 
Masonic Hall.


USE PHOTO #


MONSON POST OFFICE - New building located on Main Street between Appalachian 
Station Restaurant and Masonic Hall. Opened September 29, 1986, with Dagmar 
Greenleaf as Postmistress.


USE PHOTO #


Photo taken before 1899 - L-R: Monson Academy Bldg., First Grammar School called 
"Old Schoolhouse", burned in 1899. Men in sleigh- unknown.


USE PHOTO #


Camp Comfort located on Lake Hebron. Built in 1882. Once owned by Wilmot 
Estabrooke. Property owned by Leon Savage 1972-1997. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #


WEST SIDE OF MAIN STREET before 1911 fire. L-R: Post Office, Roy Hescock's Drug 
Store and A.C. Gilbert Bldg., Jesse Rogers, Hills & Sprague and Masonic Hall. 
(Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #


SNOW ROLLER DAY - February 8, 1975 - Snow Roller on Water Street being driven by 
Fritz Elliot and his team of horses.


USE PHOTO #T15


SAW MILLS - Located on Upper Water Street - land now owned by Town of Monson. 
Prop. owners: J.P. Hayes (1858), Alvin Gray (1873), Monson Maine Slate Co., Harry 
Davis, last owner. Torn down in the late 1950's. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #T16


GRIST MILL - Located on upper Water Street behind present Monson Museum. Built by 
T. Davee in 1841. Former owners: Alvin Gray (1873), Monson Maine Slate Co. - 
rented to Joseph Davidson and Guy Hammond as a grain & feed store. Guy & Lawrence 
Hammond last proprietors. Closed in 1940's. Torn down - date unknown. Land now 
owned by Town of Monson. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #


LAKE HEBRON HOTEL AND STABLE overlooking Lake Hebron. Located on Tenney Hill. 
Built in 1883. Burned in 1910. Owned by Monson Maine Slate Co. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #


MAIN STREET - Photo taken after Dec. 1910 fire. Left on photo: A.C. Gilbert Co. 
Building. Former owners: Francis Marshall (Monson Light & Power Co.), B. Storer, 
C.S. Patterson, J. Winslow (Monson Hardware). Apartments above. Present owner: 
Bett Stevens. Right on photo: The Monson Post Office Bldg. Torn down many years 
ago.


USE PHOTO #T19


MONSON R.R. ENGINE and passenger car at Monson Junction in Abbot, Maine. (Old 
Photo)


USE PHOTO #T20


GARAGE STREET - Monson Garage - Built in early 1800's and demolished Oct. 12, 
1995. House in background present residence of Paul & Joyce Allen. Note: Amos 
Knight's house (now owned by Stan & Kathy Anderson) was built in 1925 where the 
"Socony Gasoline" sign is located in this photo. Barn on right is no longer 
standing. (Old Photo)


USE PHOTO #T21


A Memorial Marker was placed in the former Town of Wilson, November 1994 by Chuck 
Sanford of Raymond, Bob Brown of Monson and Record Pullen of DoverFoxcroft. The 
town was incorporated in 1836. The area became known as "Savage Mills" named 
after the saw mill owned by Nelson Savage. The Township of Wilson was dissolved 
in 1848.


USE PHOTO #T22


Frank Johnson and Harold French, right, participated in the second annual 
Railfair at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum in Portland June 19, 
1994. They had the honor of driving spikes in the museum's revived two-foot rail. 
They are standing in front of M.R.R. #3, one of the last engines that ran the 
narrow gauge rail in Monson. The engine is now in operation at the Portland 
Museum.


SCAN TOP PHOTO ON PAGE 121 IN 1972 BOOK


GREENVILLE RD. TO THE LEFT AND ELLIOTTSVILLE RD. TO THE RIGHT. Old Photo showing 
road before it was rebuilt.


USE PHOTO #11-M


SILENT POLICEMAN or traffic guide stood in the town square opposite the canal 
circa 1930's-40's. L-R: Former American Legion Hall, old Town Hall, Willer or 
Hebron House and Champion's Filling Station.


USE PHOTO #T25


REPLICA OF M.R.R. ENGINE #4 - In 1972, this replica of engine #4 was rebuilt and 
put on a truck chassis by Robert Lander, Clarence "Socky" Pratt, Gerald "Bud" 
Stanchfield and Elwin French.


USE PHOTO #T26


MONSON FIRE ENGINE - This photo was copied from a post card owned by Arthur R. 
Day and a post mark dated Sept. 16, 1912. It depicts a horse drawn, gasoline 
powered fire engine belonging to the Town of Monson, Maine. The engine was built 
by the Howe Fire Apparatus Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. It was designed and 
built so that the pump could be operated manually if the engine failed and drawn 
manually if necessary. No history of the engine has been found except that it was 
replaced by a similar apparatus which was used until 1937 when the motor truck 
fire engine was put in service. Men in photo unknown.

USE PHOTO #T27


AERIAL PHOTO - MONSON VILLAGE - LOOKING EAST (Photo taken before 1984)


USE PHOTO #T28


AERIAL PHOTO OF MONSON VILLAGE - LOOKING WEST (Photo taken before 1984)


USE PHOTO OF THE THREE COLLEGE STUDENTS:


Thomas Allen Andrew Witmer


Stephen Witmer


Thomas Allen, Andrew Witmer and Stephen Witmer, all of Monson, and all born in 
June of 1976, shared a close friendship and attended school together from 
kindergarten through high school. The three Monson boys excelled academically 
throughout these years and were the highest ranking students of the 1994 
graduating class of Foxcroft Academy. Stephen was Valedictorian and Andrew, 
Salutatorian. All three were National Merit Finalists, members of the National 
Honor Society and top contenders on the Scott Hi-Q Team. Tom attends 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is majoring in electrical engineering; 
Andrew attends Taylor University in Upland, Indiana with a double major in 
History and Philosophy and Stephen attends Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, 
also double majoring in History and Philosophy. These three scholars will 
graduate from their respective colleges in May of 1998. Thomas is the son of Dawn 
MacPherson-Allen of Monson and Dwain Allen of DoverFoxcroft. Andrew and Stephen 
are the sons of Daryl and Mary Witmer of Monson.


PHOTO'S TO START 175TH ANNIVERSARY SECTION USE PHOTO #T-30


MAIN STREET BANNER


USE PHOTO #T-31


TOWN BIRTHDAY CAKE - Made by the members of the Tisbury Manor Chapter DAR


Monson's Centeseptquinary (175th) Anniversary

A committee to begin planning for Monson's 175th Anniversary met for the first 
time on April 23, 1996. Town Manager Gina Reed initiated the meeting with a 
letter to all Monson Groups and Organizations, requesting they send a 
representative and to bring any ideas they may have. Fifteen residents attended 
and plans for the celebration began with several suggestions for fund raisers and 
events. In addition to the town's celebration, the following would be celebrating 
anniversaries: Moosehead Mfg. Co. - 50th; Monson Academy - 150th; Monson Alumni 
Association - 50th; Monson Museum and the Monson Historical Society - 25th. The 
annual town meeting in March of 1996 raised $1,000.00 seed money and the 
committee also received a donation of $100.00 from the "Hot Shots" forest fire 
group. A formal committee with twenty-eight members was organized on June 18, 
1996. The following were elected. Co-Chairpersons, Daryl & Mary Witmer; 
Treasurer, Bobbi-Jean Ryder; Co-Secretary/Publicity persons, Janie Lander and 
Judy Lewis; Parade Director, Chris Sargent. Several sub-committees were also 
formed. A tentative calendar of events for 1997 was discussed and the week-end of 
June 28 -29, 1997 was chosen to celebrate Monson's 175th Anniversary. Monthly or 
bi-monthly meetings were held from April 23, 1996 to October 21, 1997. The 
following fund raisers were selected which proved very successful. A 175th 
Anniversary postcard calendar to be prepared by Estella Bennett and Althea 
French; a Birthday Cookbook to be compiled by Cindi Annis, Helen Grant and Chris 
Hall; memorabilia of T-Shirts, sweatshirts, caps and mugs were ordered by Patty 
Brown, Janie Lander and Chris Sargent; a Pot Luck supper at the Monson Gym 
arranged by Cindi Annis, Chris Hall and Sue Ruby. The Postcard Calendars were 
sold at the Monson Alumni Banquet in July of 1996; a successful Pot Luck supper 
was held on October 12, 1996 and the Postcard Calendars, cookbooks and 
memorabilia items were sold at the annual Kris Kringle fair on December 7, 1996. 
President of the Monson Historical Society, Estella Bennett, contacted the 
Directors of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum of Portland, Maine in 
July of 1996 to see if they would consider bringing Monson Engine #3 to Monson in 
June of 1997 for the 175th Celebration week-end. On November 11, 1996, the 
request was granted. An Internet Web Page under the direction of Co-Chairman 
Daryl Witmer and assembled by Robert and Kym Brown of KYND Internet Services of 
Guilford was launched November 1996. The 1972 book, "History of Monson" was 
entered on the Internet by Daryl Witmer. It created interest and queries from 
across the United State and Europe. Internet address: 
http://www.kynd.net/Monson/. On February 8, 1997, Monson kicked off its 
Centeseptquinary Celebration with a pot luck "Birthday Supper" at the Monson Gym 
with over 200 people in attendance. (Note: February 8th was the actual date that 
Monson was Incorporated in 1822.) Admission: one casserole. Monson school 
teachers, Janie Lander, Judy Lewis and Renie French organized the event. Town 
Manager "Gina" Reed welcomed everyone to the supper; Representative Sharon 
Libby-Jones read the congratulations from the Maine Legislature; Rose Nelson led 
the crowd in an enthusiastic singing of "Happy Birthday". A large birthday cake, 
baked and beautifully decorated by Cindy Ranta was cut by retired teacher 
Constance MacPherson. An essay contest on the "History of Monson" was sponsored 
by the DAR for the fourth and fifth grade students at Monson Elementary School. 
Certificates were awarded by "Bunny"Knight to the following winners: Sarah 
Anderson, Jonathan Coburn, and Derek Suomi. Honorable mention, Christopher Lewis 
and Whitney Hall. After receiving the awards each student read their winning 
essay. Richard Coburn auctioned off 17 bronze coins from the town's 
Sesquicentennial Celebration and donated by the Monson Historical Society. 
Tickets were sold by Megan Ryder at the door for a raffle organized by Cindi 
Annis, Chris Hall and Sue Ruby. A drawing was held following the program. 
Winners: Eloise Stevens, a Moosehead rocking chair; Don Dunfee, a quilt rack and 
a beautiful quilt made and donated by Cindi Annis and Kathleen Jennison; Jonathan 
Coburn, a stuffed bunny. Everyone left the supper just a little prouder to be 
associated with the Town of Monson. Note: A Rock-AThon was held during the day 
which raised fourteen dollars. Reporter Diana Bowley interviewed Town Manager 
"Gina" Reed and Althea French about the history of Monson for an article which 
was featured with old photos of Monson in the February 8-9, 1997 weekend edition 
of the Bangor Daily News. On March 1st, Monson enjoyed a winter fun day at the 
Monson Ice Rink with kids games, skating, snowshoe and kick sled events. A snow 
sculpturing contest was held with the theme "Monson - 175 years Old". Winners of 
this contest were: 1st Prize - Train by Martin Family (Ed, Marcia, Leslie & 
Aaron); 2nd Prize - Basketball by Hall Family (Tom, Chris, Heather, Whitney, 
Brooke and Jami); 3rd Prize - Birthday Cake by Sargent Family ( Roy, Chris, 
Marissa & Logan); Honorable Mention - Eloise Stevens. Other sculptures were made 
by Tom Adkins Family and Terry-Jo Clawson Family. In the evening, the Recreation 
Committee sponsored a basketball game at the Gym between the children and 
parents. Also on March 1st, the American Legion held its annual Fishing Derby and 
offered $175.00 in prize money to keep in the spirit of the day. One Hundred and 
three fishing enthusiasts entered the derby with the biggest fish being caught by 
Bryon Kelley (3 lb 9 oz Togue). The largest salmon (1 lb. 5 oz.) caught by Morris 
Labbe and Ed Martin had the largest brook trout at 12 ounces. The busiest place 
of the day was the Narrow Gauge Riders Snowmobile clubhouse. A SnoDeo and mini 
Poker Run were held. The Sno-Deo included an egg run, a reverse run, blind man 
bluff and a mystery event. The weather was great, the crowds were better than 
expected and the day's events rendered what was truly a fun day for all. March 
12, 1997 - Town Manager "Gina" Reed and Althea French were guests on WDME Radio 
Station "Lifestyles" program. Althea, Gina and Daryl (by telephone) were 
interviewed on the changes that have taken place in Monson over the past 175 
years, as well as the upcoming events for the 175th Celebration. March 15, 1997 - 
The Monson Annual Firemen's Supper was held with Dwain Allen as Master of 
Ceremony. All past and present Fire Chief's were present to honor retired Fire 
Chief John Ruksznis. In March of 1997, Althea French wrote an article about 
Monson Academy to be published in the Discover Maine Magazine to be in the stores 
the summer of 1997. March 30, 1997 - On Easter Sunday Pastor Daryl Witmer in his 
motorized wheel-chair upon leaving the Monson Community Church, slipped on a 
patch of ice throwing him out of the wheelchair breaking both his legs, between 
the knee and ankle. At the hospital his legs were put in a cast. Through this 
ordeal he continued to fill his duties as Co-Chairman of the 175th Anniversary 
Committee. We, the Committee and the townspeople, wish to commend him for his 
dedication to Monson. April 1997 - A banner was placed across Main Street 
announcing Monson's 175th birthday weekend celebration - June 28-29th. April 26, 
1997, an Anniversary Ball was held from 7 P.M.-10 P.M. and well attended by all 
ages. Residents attending this "Chem Free" Ball were encouraged to come in old 
fashion dress. Winners included "Most Authentic Reproduction" - Fred Judkins 
(husband of Judy Brown Judkins) and Molly Poole (wife of Glenn Poole); "Best 
Original Costume" - Glenn Poole and Althea French; Junior Division of Original 
Costume - Megan Ryder (daughter of Peter & Bobbi Jean (Brown) Ryder and Jonathan 
Coburn (son of Richard & Louise Coburn). The "Ball" was a great success thanks to 
Rick and Mary Ellen (Pullen) Pembroke who organized the event. Music was provided 
by Disc Jockey Robert Hartford. The Grand March was led by Town Manager "Gina" 
Reed and husband Mike Reed. Photo's of the evenings were taken by John Wentworth. 
The American Legion Auxiliary sold light refreshments. May 1, 1997 - "May Day" 
was celebrated at the Monson Elementary School with each student making a May 
basket under the supervision of Patty Brown and teachers. Each child could chose 
to give their May basket to a shut-in, a friend or keep it. The children had a 
good time dancing around the decorated Maypole in the school yard. May 10, 1997, 
Monson's Annual Clean Up Day was held. Along with students, parents and 
volunteers (Foster Ward, Patty Brown, Lori & Jeff Hansen, Julie Anderson, Mary 
Lou Chadwick, Billy Ranta, Erin Lowell, Jenny Jordan, Tom Chadwick, Philip 
Foster, Danielle Foster, Jonathan Coburn, Marissa Sargent, Heather Anderson, and 
Ashley Ryder) Monson spruced up the town streets in anticipation of the June 28th 
parade. The Towne-Holmbom Legion Post cooked and served hot dogs, soda and chips 
at the Bandstand. The Cub Scout Troop consisting of Steve Tatko, Jeff Killam, 
Brian Erickson, Joseph Tardy under the leadership of Sue Killam and the "Dads" 
installed a split rail fence, raked and cleaned up the Memorial Park on Water 
Street. The Legion also completed the Honor Roll restoration which included all 
new brass veteran name plates. May 17, 1997 - A Community Wide Yard Sale was held 
along with the first ever Moosehead Mfg. Co. Yard Sale held in the Monson Gym. 
Throughout the town there were over 25 families offering goodies for sale - many 
had to be held down due to the windy weather. The American Legion sold hotdogs at 
the Bandstand and located nearby was a table selling memorabilia of the 175th 
coffee mugs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, calendars and cookbooks. The big hit of 
the day was "Moosehead Furniture" that went for 75-80% off its retail price. With 
approximately $100,000.00 worth of furniture, 75% was sold within the first three 
hours of the sale. May 26, 1997 - Monson held its Annual Memorial Day Parade at 8 
a.m. sharp with the Sedomocha Middle School and Foxcroft Academy Bands both in 
attendance. In spite of the hour and the cold, the music was superb. Officer of 
the Day was Billy Ranta and Commander William "Bill" Ranta was in charge of the 
rifle squad. Cindy Ranta, President of the Legion Auxiliary and mother of the 
Officer of the Day, led the Auxiliary group. Paul Allen wore his original WWII 
uniform while his grandson, Tom Allen, wore a Civil War uniform, marching 
together in the parade. After a brief stop at the canal on Main Street with 
Commander Bill Ranta speaking for the American Legion in honoring those lost a 
sea, the parade continued on to the Memorial Monument at the Church Cemetery. 
Pastor Daryl Witmer offered a prayer, the Rifle Squad fired a salute and taps 
were played honoring the departed servicemen. Several selections were played by 
the bands. Tim Witmer did an excellent job of reciting the Gettysburg Address to 
close the Ceremony. During May of 1997, wooden barrels and window boxes were 
placed along Main Street and planted with red, white and blue flowers by Cindy 
Ranta, Jeannie Tabor and Cindi Annis. Also during May, Mary Witmer organized a 
Poster Contest at the Monson Elementary school. The theme was "We live in Monson 
and We're Proud of it". The second and third grade students made pictures with 
captions on small posters which were placed on a huge poster and displayed in the 
Monson Post Office. In June of 1997, the Monson PTO and teachers, Linda Howard, 
Judy Lewis and Grace Hoffman of the Monson Elementary school presented to the 
community a book written by the students. Titled: In Our Words, "Life in Monson, 
Maine". A collection of stories, interviews and research reports in conjunction 
with the 175th Celebration of the town. The old Monson Railroad Station on Water 
Street, after months of work by owners Cliff and Suzanne Olson and a new sign 
"Monson Station" made by Ed Tully, stood ready and waiting on Saturday June 7th. 
A crew of six men arrived from Alna, Maine and joined the Monson crew to begin 
laying the railroad ties and 175 feet of rail on a bed prepared by Jim French. 
The 175 feet of rail was donated by the Sheepscot Railroad in Alna and 
transported to Monson by Moosehead Mfg. Co.. Haley Construction of Sangerville 
and Carl Vainio of Kennedy Slate in Monson donated railroad ties. Saturday, June 
21st, the crew from Alna and Monson completed the laying of the track in late 
afternoon. A cheer of jubilation could be heard as the last spike was driven. 
Special thanks go to the crew who were able to complete the job in two days in 
spite of the very hot weather. Alna crew: Jason Lamontagne, James Patten, Fred 
Morse, Larson Powell, Vernon Shaw and John McNamara. Monson crew: Paul Allen, 
Bill Ranta, Bob Roberts, Basil Patterson, Wayne Bennett, Adam Bennett, Dwain 
Allen and Cliff Olson. The Monson Historical Society, after months of planning 
and help from the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum of Portland plus many 
other sources, made a dream come true. Monson was ready for the return of Engine 
#3 for the celebration. June 21, 1997 - The Monson Finnish Farmers Club held an 
open house with a Finnish Breakfast, display of exhibits and at 2 P.M., Waino 
Ray, author of " A Young Finn on Cape Ann" spoke about his book. The day ended 
with a Finn Dance with music provided by Veikko Hondala. June 27, 1997 - The 
Monson Gym was decorated by Cindy Ranta, Brenda Tetlow and MaryAnn Bjork. Baskets 
of flowers surrounded the speakers platform built for the celebration ceremony. 
In the days preceding the celebration, Main Street was swept clean and decorated 
with beautiful flower boxes and barrels. Buntings hung from many buildings 
throughout town. The weekend events got underway with the arrival of the former 
Monson Narrow Gauge Engine from Portland. Engine No.3 was met at the Moosehorns 
by many excited townspeople and escorted into town by the Monson Fire Dept trucks 
with sirens wailing and a cavalcade of cars. At the Monson Station on Water 
Street the little engine was unloaded onto the waiting tracks. ENGINE NO. 3 WAS 
HOME FOR A VISIT AFTER 53 YEARS!!!


BIRTHDAY SUPPER February 8, 1997


Photo #1CC


175TH BIRTHDAY CAKE


Photo #2CC Photo #3CC


L-R: Janie Lander and L-R: Mary & Daryl Witmer and Constance MacPherson Estella 
Bennett. Presentation of a 150th "Cutting cake" bronze coin in lucite.


MARCH 1ST EVENTS


Photo #4CC


Enjoying the ice are children at the Monson Ice Rink during the Annual Winter 
Carnival. Children also participated in kick-sled and skating races.


Photo #5CC


ICE SCULPTURE CONTEST - Marissa Sargent, Erin Lowell & Jenny Jordan


Photo #6CC


NARROW GAUGE SNOWMOBILE CLUB SNO-DE-O & POKER RUN - March 1, 1997


Photo #7CC


AMERICAN LEGION FISHING DERBY - MARCH 1, 1997


175TH ANNIVERSARY BALL APRIL 8, 1997


Photo #8CC


BEST ORIGINAL COSTUME L-R: GLENN POOLE & ALTHEA FRENCH


Photo #9CC Photo #10CC


MOST AUTHENTIC REPRODUCTION JR. DIV. - ORIGINAL COSTUMES L-R: Molly Poole & Fred 
Judkins L-R: Megan Ryder & Jonathan Coburn


GRAND MARCH


Photo #11CC Photo #12CC


MIKE & GINA REED RICK & MARY ELLEN PEMBROKE


Photo #13CC


L-R: Tom & Marge Houlihan, Mike & Gina Reed, Rick & Debbie Saucier Judy & Fred 
Judkins.


Photo #14CC Photo #15CC


Megan Allen, Janet Allen Wayne & Estella Bennett Dwain Allen


Photo #16CC


L-R: Wayne & Melanie Huff, Richard & Louise Coburn, Helen Grant, Julie Anderson 
and Cindy Ranta.


Photo#17CC Photo #18CC


L-R: Bryanne Clawson & Chelsey Killam L-R: Lindsay Ulman & Laura Brown


Photo #19CC Photo #20CC


L-R: Mathew Anderson, Nathan Knight, L-R: Jeff Killam, Sue Killam and Matthew 
Bjork & Tom Chadwick. Shane Adkins.


MAY ACTIVITIES


Photo #21CC Photo #22CC


MAY POLE - Monson Elementary School Master Gardeners- Jeannie, Cindi, & Cindy


COMMUNITY YARD SALE


Photo #23CC


MOOSEHEAD MFG. CO. FIRST ANNUAL YARD SALE Monson Gym


Photo #24CC Photo #25CC


YARD SALE CONCESSION STAND L-R: Sue Ruby, Helen Grant L-R: Ed Tully, Clowes 
Brown, & Estella Bennett Dick Hunt, Alfred Grant & Bill Ranta


Photo #26CC


MEMORIAL DAY PARADE - MAY 26, 1997 Officer of the Day - Billy Ranta Color Guard


Photo #26A cc


MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY - PASTOR DARYL WITMER & TIM WITMER


Photo #26B cc


FINNISH FARMERS HALL - June 21, 1997 Annalee Libby & Author Waino Ray


ENGINE NO. 3 RETURNS HOME


Photo #27 CC Photo #28 CC


LAYING TRACK AT MONSON STATION TRACK CREW FROM Track crew from Monson & Alna. 
June 7, 1997 MONSON & ALNA. Names listed in text.


Photo #29 CC Photo #30 CC


JUNE 27, 1997 - CROWD WAITING FOR ENGINE NO. 3 ARRIVING AT THE ENGINE NO. 3 AT 
THE MOOSEHORNS. MOOSEHORNS - JUNE 27, 1997


USE PHOTO #31CC


ENGINE NO. 3 ARRIVES IN TOWN


Photo #32 CC


ENGINE NO. 3 ARRIVES AT MONSON STATION ON WATER STREET

175TH CELEBRATION

The celebration on June 28th of Monson's Centeseptquinary, 175th Anniversary 
began at 8 a.m. under bright and sunny skies. All the events, after months of 
preparation, were in place to greet the residents and visitors. The air filled 
with excitement as cars began to line the Main Street and streets surrounding the 
village. The Information Booth located on the school grounds offered free maps 
and the following program of the weekend events.

WEEKEND PROGRAM June 28-29, 1997

SATURDAY - JUNE 28, 1997 Information Booth - Bandstand - 8 AM - Schoolyard Craft 
Fair - Kennedy Slate Parking Lot - 8 AM-1 PM - Main Street Monson Museum 
Exhibition - 8 AM - 3 PM - Main Street Historical Photo & Art Exhibit - 9 AM - 11 
AM - Elementary School Children's Activities & Games - 9 AM - 10:30 AM - 
Schoolyard Monson Narrow Gauge Engine No. 3 - 9 AM - 3 PM - Rides - Water Street 
Monson R.R. Station - Display & Sale - 9 AM - Water Street Dixieland Band Concert 
- 10 AM - 1 PM - Schoolyard 175th Anniversary Parade - 1 PM - Main Street 175th 
Anniversary Program - 3:30 PM - Monson Gymnasium Baked Bean Supper - 5-7 PM - 
United Church of Christ - No. Guilford Road Street Dance - 8 PM - 1 AM - Music by 
"Footloose" - Schoolyard

SUNDAY - JUNE 29, 1997 Monson United Church of Christ - 9:30 AM - No. Guilford 
Road Rev. Gard Rowe - Preaching Monson Community Church - 11:00 AM - Main Street 
Rev. William Huber - Preaching Good Samaritan Mission - (Old Swedish Lutheran 
Church) - 12:30 PM - Hebron Street Luncheon and Open House Monson Community 
Church - (Educational Wing) - 2:00 PM - Main Street Monson Museum Exhibit of 
Monson's Church History Monson Community Church - 3:00 PM - Main Street Monson's 
Church History Service Monson Community Church - 5:00 PM - Main Street Church 
Fellowship Meal - (Dining Hall)

A variety of concession stands, the American Legion booth in the Bandstand and 
food wagon's were available around town. The Craft Fair, supervised by Sue Ruby, 
located at the Kennedy Slate parking lot was lined with crafter's displaying a 
variety of crafts. The Monson Museum Exhibition and the Preservation Society's 
display was viewed by more than 200 visitors. Brisk sales were reported by Sue 
Killam at the Monson Library's book sale on Main Street. The Historical Photo and 
Art Show under the direction of Bernice "Bunny" Knight, located in the Monson 
Elementary School, featured the works of many local artists. On display was a 
quilt made by the third grade school children of Monson, Massachusetts. It 
contained names of the Monson Maine Elementary students and sent as a gift for 
the 175th celebration. The show was enjoyed by over 200 visitors who signed the 
guest book. By the Railroad Station on Water Street, at 7 AM the fire is lit, the 
little engine comes to life and spectators gather to ask questions. Everything is 
ready and at 9 AM a lengthy whistle salute lets the Town of Monson know the 
"Peanut Roaster" is back. The two engineers pulled the throttle on No. 3 to 
become the first to operate a Monson engine in Monson in 53 years. After a couple 
of trial runs, Engineers Bruce Bradford and David Campbell started carrying eager 
passengers in the cab of No. 3. The little engine traveled back and forth and at 
the end of the day, it was estimated that 400 people had been given a ride in the 
little cab. The cameras were clicking all day as many photos were taken of Monson 
Engine #3. Meanwhile inside the Monson Station, there was a display of photos and 
information on the Monson Railroad and the slate quarries. Mr. Leo Marcus from 
North Whitefield, Maine had an exhibit of slate sculptures crafted by him; 
Dorothy Googins from Portland sold memorabilia featuring the Maine Narrow-Gauge 
Railroad Co. & Museum; Roger Whitney was on hand with his book written about the 
Monson Railroad; the Monson Historical Society offered for sale the following 
items: Original Monson Railroad stock Certificates, copies of old maps, Monson 
Railroad patches, note cards, postcards and books. The Station guest book 
contains 530 signatures. At the schoolyard on Main Street, activities and games 
were being held for the children under the supervision of Dick Hunt. Members of 
the Monson 175th Anniversary Committee were selling memorabilia and the American 
Legion was busy in the Bandstand selling hotdogs etc. The Dixieland Band 
entertained the crowd with wonderful music, playing in the shade in front of the 
cemetery on Main Street The air was filled with excitement as the huge crowd 
waited in the 90 degree temperatures for the parade to begin. The parade route 
from the Elliottsville Road to Main Street and continuing up Tenney Hill to the 
Blanchard Road was lined with hundreds of spectators to view the 89 units.

175th ANNIVERSARY PARADE

The Monson Legion Color Guard led the parade followed by the Piscataquis Sheriff 
Department Color Guard.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS Monson Fire Department : Fire Truck, antique truck with Smokey 
the Bear on back, and antique hose cart and Rescue Unit Van; Monson Massachusetts 
Fire Dept, Shirley Fire Dept., Dover Foxcroft Fire Truck with their Auxiliary, 
Color Guard and mascot; Guilford Fire Truck and their antique car, Greenville 
Fire Truck and their Ladder Truck Dept., Sangerville Fire Dept., Wellington Fire 
Dept., Dexter Fire Dept. had a demonstration of an antique pumper cart and hose 
cart; State of Maine Forestry.

MONSON ELDEST CITIZEN Bessie Brown the Boston Cane recipient for being the oldest 
citizen in Monson. Riding in a Rolls Royce, owned by Bill Wentworth, driven by 
Robert Sargent.


STATE REPRESENTATIVE Walking is Sharon Libby Jones our State Representative of 
District #111

DAR Mrs. Bernice Knight in costume representing the Tisbury Manor Chapter of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution

APPALACHIAN TRAIL HIKERS A group of hikers that happened to be in town at the 
time and participated in the parade

CLOWNS A clown driving a red car and pulling a cart with animals and balloons. 
Dustin Lander, Justin Clawson, and Aaron Suomi are dressed as clowns driving 
decorated ATV's and throwing candy to the kids. BANDS The Community Band playing 
marching tunes . The Dixieland Band played jazz in the parade and played music by 
the church during the day.

FLOATS

MOOSEHEAD MANUFACTURING CO. Moosehead tractor trailer truck, driven by Billy 
Ranta, is pulling a trailer with a display of Moosehead Furniture. Riding on the 
trailer are Gail and Carl Burke with Peter Knight dressed as a moose. The cake on 
the back representing Moosehead's Mfg. 50th anniversary in 1997. MONSON 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY A pickup driven by Richard Tetlow and Brenda Tetlow as 
passenger, hauling a trailer depicting a winter scene from the olden days. The 
children are dressed in old fashion clothing and are surrounded by winter play 
things such as skis, snow shoes and a kick sled. The children are Whitney Hall, 
Scott Tetlow, Brooke Hall, and David Long. SWEDISH DESCENDANTS A truck driven by 
Randy Johnson hauling a trailer decorated with a blue cloth skirt covered with 
names made from yellow cloth of the Swedish families who came to live in the 
area. On the float were pails filled with wild flowers and a beautiful Maypole 
decorated with wild flowers, depicting Mid Sommar festival which is celebrated in 
June. Riding on the float were descendants of the Swedish ancestors. HAPPY 
BIRTHDAY MONSON A pickup decorated and pulling a trailer with the Ward Family 
from Greenville dressed up in their farming attire. LEONARD'S MILLS Ladies from 
The Brownville Historical Society carrying the Leonard Mills sign and dressed in 
clothes from the old days. REPLICA OF THE PEANUT ROASTER The miniature train was 
built by Elwin French. James French, grandson of Elwin, is pulling the train 
driving a small car that was also built by Elwin French


LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE A replica of the Red School House, which used to be 
located on the North Guilford Road, on a trailer pulled by a pickup driven by 
Frank Stone Sr; and with Jacob Storer and Jesse Lewis fishing behind the school 
house. GIRL SCOUTS Shawna Knight, the Brownie Troop Leader and Farrin Knight 
carrying the Girl Scout Flag.

SHELDON SLATE PRODUCTS CO. First truck driven by Roger Page , passengers Rachel 
Page and Rachel's mother. On truck bed was a generator which was used for power 
to blow the original quarry whistle. This whistle was blown at the beginning of 
the work day and quitting time. Also a second truck driven by John Tatko III with 
his wife Nancy. There were several things on display such as: Willimantic 
Cemetery sign made of Vermont green slate with gold lettering, Vermont green 
Counter top, New York red Counter top, Monson black large farm house sink and 
slate flooring samples.

CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILROAD Robert Roberts displayed equipment used to maintain the 
railroad tracks. A pickup driven by Mickey Anderson with Dick Bessey riding shot 
gun, pulled a trailer with a Motor Car in which Kirby Roberts is sitting, a push 
car and the velocipede being demonstrated by Robert Roberts.

THE BROWN FAMILY A pickup driven by Fred Judkins with Rick Saucier as passenger, 
hauling a trailer decorated and landscaped with two murals of the homes of the 
Charles Brown Sr. Family. Riding shot gun is Bill Brown Sr. and Mrs. Carmen 
DeCarlo, with his daughters Gina Reed, Judy Judkins, Margaret Houlihan and Debbie 
Saucier. Riding on the float were several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

THE LAKE HEBRON LOONIES A pickup driven by Gary Killam , pulling a boat with 
painted murals of loons floating in the water on the side. Sue Killam, Cindi 
Annis, and Bobbi Jean Ryder are fishing. Chelsey Killam, Jeffrey Killam and Megan 
Ryder are water skiing behind the boat. All enjoying Lake Hebron.

ELECTRIC BEACH John Wakeman using his tractor to pull a trailer representing 
Christine Sargent's Tanning Business. The trailer was decorated like a beach and 
everybody was dressed in their grass skirts and sun glasses . Riding the float 
Pam Knowlton, Lisa Lowell, Jenny Jordan , Marissa Sargent, Misty Tucker, Megan 
Allen, Erin Lowell and Hannah Holmbom.

PORTLAND RAILROAD MUSEUM A float representing railroad equipment from the Maine 
Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum of Portland , Maine.

FINNISH FARMERS CLUB A pickup pulling a trailer with Thelma Kurki Hamilton on a 
kicksled, representing the Finnish Farmers Club and the descendants that settled 
here in town many years ago.

FOXCROFT ACADEMY FLOAT A pickup driven by Matt Hackett and passenger Rachael 
Hackett, pulling a trailer with the replica of Foxcroft Academy. The Hackett's 
children, Matt, Jr., Jennifer and Molly, riding in the back of pickup. Riding on 
the float are Elizabeth Lewis, Gordon Smith, Patty Busque, Denyll Suomi, Holly 
Knowlton, Katie Knowlton, Davan Clawson and Chris Lewis, students that attend 
Foxcroft Academy. RAPID RIVER STOVES Paul Vainio, the owner of the business, is 
pulling with his tractor a trailer with a display of his antique stoves that he 
restores. Dressed up as the ladies in the kitchen are Louise Vainio and Teresa 
Talbot. MONSON UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST A truck driven by Steve Hobart pulling a 
decorated hay wagon with Rev. Mark Arbisi, organist Mary Brown playing on a key 
board for a choir of adults and children sitting on bales of hay, singing hymns. 
ANTIQUE CARS There were 21 antique cars representing the Duster Antique Car Club 
in the parade.

PARADE UNITS Paul Viekman Jr.-Driving a miniature white car hauling a "Happy 
175th Anniversary Monson" sign. Sign Foster and Sabastian -tractor and cart with 
American Flags Tim Knowlton as Miss Monson riding in Marty Lowell's convertible. 
Postal Eagle ---Kimberly Hunt Cinderella -----Sandra Kelley Mini 
Mouse----Christine Sargent Cookie Monster-Robert Alex WGUY 102.1 radio station 
A.E. Robinson Oil Co Truck and Propane Gas Trucks Moosehead Mfg. Co. Tractor and 
Box Trailer State of Maine - Snow blower State of Maine Sand Truck and Sand Truck 
Rick Kelley-Dump Truck Lloyd Kelley-Truck Andrew Ryder-Bicycle

Float Contest Winners : First Place : The Brown Family; Second Place: The Lake 
Hebron Loonies; Third Place: The Electric Beach.

The cheering crowd showed their appreciation as each unit and beautiful decorated 
floats passed along the route. The hour long parade was a huge success!!


JUNE 28TH ACTIVITIES

Photo #40CC


INFORMATION BOOTH


Photo #41CC


CONCESSION STAND


PHOTO # 42cc


DIXIELAND BAND


PHOTO # 43 cc


ART SHOW - MONSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL


PHOTO # 44cc PHOTO #45cc


CRAFT FAIR BOOK SALE - MAIN ST. Kennedy Slate Parking Lot


PHOTO #46cc


MONSON MUSEUM DISPLAY


PHOTO #47 cc


MONSON STATION - WATER STREET


PHOTO #48cc


ENGINE NO. 3 AND ENGINEERS David Campbell & Bruce Bradford


PHOTO #49cc


ENGINE NO. 3 - READY TO TAKE ON PASSENGERS


PHOTO #50CC


PASSENGERS ANXIOUSLY WAIT TO BOARD!


PHOTO #51cc


YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE ENJOYED THE RETURN OF ENGINE NO. 3


PHOTO #52cc


CENTESEPTQUINARY PARADE JUNE 28, 1997


PHOTO #53cc


COLOR GUARD


PHOTO #54cc


MAIN STREET - SPECTATORS WATCHING PARADE


PHOTO#55cc


Monson's 1937 Fire Engine


PHOTO #56cc


Monson, Massachusetts Fire Engine Arrives June 27, 1997


Photo #57cc


Monson's Eldest Citizen Mrs. Bessie Brown


Photo #58 cc


Postal Eagle, Bunny Knight & Appalachian Trail Hikers


Photo #59 cc


Clowns


Photo #60 cc


Community Band


Photo #61 cc


Moosehead Mfg. Company


Photo # 62 cc


Monson Historical Society


Photo #63 cc


Monson Maine Swedish Decendants


Photo # 64 cc


Ward Family Float


Photo #65cc


Leonard's Mills


Photo #66cc Photo #67cc


Cinderalla Minnie Mouse


Photo #68cc


Little Red Schoolhouse


Photo #69cc


Replica of Narrow Gauge Engine


Photo #70 cc


Sheldon Slate Products, Inc.


Photo #71cc (Green Tk)


Photo #72 cc


1st PLACE - BROWN FAMILY


Photo # 73 cc


3rd PLACE - ELECTRIC BEACH


Photo # 74 CC


2ND Place - LAKE HEBRON LOONIES


Photo #75 CC


Photo #76 CC


FINNISH FARMERS CLUB

Photo #77 CC


FOXCROFT ACADEMY FLOAT


Photo #78CC


RAPID RIVER STOVES


Photo #79CC


MONSON UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST


Photo #80CC


MAINE NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD COMPANY AND MUSEUM


Photo #81cc


CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILROAD TRACK EQUIPMENT


Photo #82CC


PAUL VIEKMAN JR. AND CAR


Photo #83CC


MR. & MRS. HERMAN BAYERDOFFERS' "STANLEY STEAMER"


Photo #84CC


1935 HUDSON TERRA PLANE Clowes Brown and Ruth _______


Photo #85cc


D-F FIRE DEPARTMENT KENNEY GOODMAN WITH "BINGO"


CENTESEPTQUINARY PROGRAM June 28, 1997 - Monson Gym - 3:30 PM

Saturday afternoon the 400 people who entered the Monson Gym were greeted by the 
hospitality couples; Paul and Joyce Allen, Worden and Glenda Smith and the music 
of the Community Band. The band entertained the audience until the beginning of 
the program. The host couple for U.S. Senator Susan Collins was Bill and Carolyn 
Amos.

Opening Concert - Community Band Welcome - Master of Ceremonies, Co-Chairman, 
Daryl E. Witmer Pastor Monson Community Church Invocation - Rev. Mark Arbisi, 
Pastor United Church of Christ Pledge of Allegiance - Local Scout Troop National 
Anthem - Soloist - Rose Nelson Town Government Greetings - Paul Suomi, Selectman 
Jeanne (Brown) Reed, Town Manager Greetings from Officials - U. S. Senator from 
Maine - Susan Collins State Senator - Stephen Hall State Representative - Sharon 
Libby-Jones Special Music - Selection "Sentimental Journey" Rose Nelson & 
Jillaine (Robinson) Ward & Guitarist Michael Carolin. Recognition - Special 
Guests - By Co-Chairman, Daryl E. Witmer Monson's Senior Citizens Former Town 
Managers Former Monson Ministers Guests with surname of Monson Congratulatory 
Letters - By Co-Chairman, Mary Witmer President Bill Clinton Governor Angus King 
U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe Greetings from: Monson Historical Society - Estella 
(Kronholm) Bennett Monson Preservation Society - Annalee (Korsman) Libby 
Moosehead Mfg. Co. (50th Anniversary) - Wayne Huff Monson Academy Alumni 
Association (50th Anniversary) - Glenn Poole Recognition of Visiting Delegation: 
Fire Dept. From Monson, Mass. - Jerry Hibbard Historical Society from Hebron, 
Maine - Estella (Kronholm) Bennett Recognition of Visiting Delegations: 
Co-Chairman, Daryl Witmer Special Music: Thomas Allen, Andrew, Stephen & Timothy 
Witmer Recognition of Children's Essay Winners: American Legion Essay Contest - 
Commander, Clowes Brown DAR Essay Contest - Regent, Bernice (Robinson) Knight 
Historical Perspective: Althea (Haggstrom) French - Monson Historian Time 
Capsule: Christine Sargent "God Bless America" - Community Band and Guests 
Benediction - Rev. George R. Castillo, Retired Chaplain, Federal Bureau of 
Prisons & Former Pastor - Monson Community Church


MONSON 175TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ADDRESS An Historical Perspective: Address 
by Monson Town Historian Althea Haggstrom French Delivered at the Town's 
Celebration Ceremony on Saturday, June 28, 1997

We have gathered here today to honor and pay tribute to the town of Monson on the 
anniversary of her 175th birthday. It is only fitting that we pause for a few 
moments to remember the courageous people who left the security of their homes to 
go into the wilderness with dreams of a new beginning. The territory which in 
1820 became the State of Maine was in the possession of Massachusetts. In 1811 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts gave a part of a township to Hebron Academy and 
the remainder to Monson Academy in Monson, Massachusetts. The Academies offered 
free land to those who would clear the land and settle upon it. In 1816, a young 
man, Joseph Bearce from the town of Hebron left on foot, traveling to the land he 
had chosen. On arrival to the land which later was to become the Town of Monson, 
he cleared a field and built a small log cabin. He returned to Hebron and in the 
summer of 1818 he married Nancy Ricker. Their dream of a beginning together was 
short lived as he died in the autumn of 1818. Other young men and families 
followed his path, clearing land and building homes on the Hebron Grant. In 1820, 
families began arriving from Monson, Mass. to settle on the Monson Academy Grant. 
Monson was fortunate as many of the first settlers were educated as well as 
having a strong religious background which had a tremendous effect on the growth 
of the town. The first public building to be built in the village was a small 
schoolhouse. This building known as the Centre School was utilized not only as a 
school but also where meetings and religious services were held. The small 
settlement known as "Cademy Town" was incorporated on Feb. 8, 1822 as the Town of 
Monson. The incorporation of Monson would bring about the Construction of many 
buildings in the center of town, which included the erecting of the 
Congregational Church in 1831, the Baptist Church in 1845 and Monson Academy in 
1847. Public transportation was by stage coach, covering a route from Greenville 
to Bangor. By 1860 there was a small thriving village established at the outlet 
of Lake Hebron. In March of 1860, the first Monson Academy burned. Construction 
of a new building was underway, when on a Sunday in May, the word fire was heard 
again. When the sun set that evening the fire had destroyed the Congregational 
Church, homes, stores and two hotels. A total of 40 buildings lay in ashes. One 
can only imagine what the people were feeling. Certainly one of hopelessness and 
despair but with the strength, hope and faith in God, people began to build a new 
and better town. In the midst of the construction, a civil war in 1861 was upon 
the country. The town answered the call, sending many men to serve in the Maine 
regiments. One of the most important events in the life of Monson occurred in 
1870 with the discovery of slate by William G. Jones, a Welsh immigrant from the 
slate mining country of Wales. This discovery would secure the future of Monson 
which brought in outside investors who opened several quarries bringing growth to 
the town. Monson Maine Slate and Portland Monson Slate Companies eventually 
became the owners of all the quarries. Between the years of 1870 and 1890, the 
Welsh, Swedish, Finnish and the Canadian immigrants arrived. They bought up the 
deserted farms, found work at the quarries and opened businesses on Main street. 
The Swedish immigrants wanting a place to worship in their native language, built 
the Swedish Lutheran Church in 1890 and the Swedish Methodist Church in 1892. The 
Finnish people also held services in these Churches. In time the children went to 
school and learned English and many Swedes married Americans, hence there no 
longer was a need for a distinctive Swede Church. The Swedish Methodist Church 
was bought by the Assembly of God and in 1982 it burned. The Swedish Lutheran 
Church remains and is owned by the Good Samaritan Mission. The descendants of the 
founding fathers after a period of time, welcomed the immigrants, thus making 
Monson unique in having many different ethnic groups residing together. Their 
contribution through the years have been one of tremendous value to the success 
and survival of Monson. Monson became a thriving self-sufficient community as 
everything the residents needed was available to them. There was a population of 
about 1400 people in the early 1900's. The town was home to several doctors and 
lawyers. Many organizations were formed along with the Monson Cornet Band. 
Activities were held in a hall known as Tarr, Spencer or Carlson Hall, depending 
on the generation it served. The hall was torn down in 1940. The Monson Narrow 
Gauge Railroad commenced operation in 1883, hauling slate, passengers, mail and 
freight to Monson Jct., where it met the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad. In the 
same year, the Monson Maine Slate Co. built the Lake Hebron Hotel overlooking 
Lake Hebron. It was destroyed by fire in 1910. The Indian Point Corporation was 
formed and land purchased in 1890 on Lake Hebron. Today, Lake Hebron and Monson 
Pond are surrounded by many cottages and homes. Fires continued to ravage the 
village as sections on Main Street were destroyed in 1888-97-99-1910 and 1911. 
The first village elementary school, called the "Old School" was located south of 
Monson Academy. It was consumed by fire in 1899. A new elementary school was 
built on the north side of the Academy in 1902. After many years without a 
substantial way to fight the fires, the town voted in 1937 to purchase a fire 
engine and the first volunteer Monson Fire Department was organized. Between the 
years of 1908 and 1945, the town would experience the arrival of electricity, the 
telephone, the automobile, the effects of World War 1, the great depression of 
1929 and the involvement of the United States in 1941 of World War II. Monson 
Maine Slate Co., one of the town's largest employers closed its doors in 1943 and 
the Monson Railroad was abandoned. The town was left with only one employer, the 
Portland-Monson Slate Co. The town watched as their sons and daughters left to 
serve in the War and the many families leave to find work. With the end of World 
War II in 1945 and the return of many service men and women to Monson there was a 
desperate need for the town to provide employment. A Board of Trade was formed by 
the merchants for the purpose of interesting an industry to locate in town. In 
1945, the Moosehead Woodcrafter's plant in Greenville burned. The owners met with 
the Monson Board of Trade and agreed to locate in the vacated Monson Maine Slate 
Co. buildings. The buildings were purchased and the venture was financed by 
selling shares of stock which were purchased by many Monson citizens. The 
Woodcrafters operated about 1 1/2 years and failed. The spirit of the citizens 
prevailed and more money was raised. In 1947, John and Tolford Durham agreed to 
take over the "sick plant". The effort put forth by the townspeople and the 
Durham brothers was realized and the Moosehead Manufacturing Co., came into 
being. Over the last fifty years they have been a tremendous asset not only as 
employers but also a great benefit to the town. They expanded the business in 
1960, opening a second plant in Dover-Foxcroft. The fine quality of Moosehead 
furniture is well-known today throughout the market place. Monson Academy 
celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1947 and the Monson Academy Alumni 
Association was formed. The Monson Alumni and the townspeople joined together and 
a community hall known as the Monson Gym was built and dedicated in 1951. 
Basketball reigned as the Monson Academy Slater boys and girls won many 
championships. The Monson Gym continues to play an important role in the town. 
The last 40 years the people have witnessed many changes. The Baptist Church on 
Pleasant St. was moved in 1959 to Main St. and connected to the Congregational 
Church forming the Monson Community Church. The Monson United Church of Christ 
was built in 1984 on the North Guilford Road. Portland-Monson Slate Co. was 
purchased by the Tatko family in 1965. The remaining old mills were replaced by a 
new modern building. The company operates on a smaller scale today. Monson slate 
marks the grave site of President John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline Kennedy 
Onassis at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1994 the company's name was changed to 
Sheldon Slate Products Co., Inc. The abandoned slate quarries and land once owned 
by Monson Maine Slate Co. was sold to Kennedy Slate in 1988. An event which 
caused a great loss to the town occurred in 1968 when the residents voted to join 
the MSAD 68 school system. This brought about the closing of Monson Academy. 
Grades six through twelve are now transported to Dover-Foxcroft. Monson Academy 
was demolished in 1984 and the site is occupied by the bandstand. The elementary 
school building was torn down in 1981 and a new school was erected on the site in 
1982 with an addition in 1994. The Long District School on Rte. 15 was purchased 
by the Finnish Farmers Club in 1938. In the summer months one can enjoy a 
Saturday night at the Finn dance. The Main Street of Monson has been one of 
constant change as businesses come and go. Several buildings stand empty as a 
reminder of the past and others have been replaced with a new municipal building, 
and Post Office. The Monson Museum is located in the old Town Hall owned by the 
DAR. Many original old homes are gone but new ones have recently appeared on the 
roads leading in and out of Monson. One of the oldest land marks, the Monson 
Garage was demolished in 1995. The Olson Family slate house on Tenney Hill was 
replaced in 1990 by the beautiful Lake Hebron Heights Senior Citizens Apartments. 
A new Monson Memorial Park on Water Street is utilized as a skating rink in 
winter and for activities in summer. The Monson railroad station built in the 
1880's is being restored. The Appalachian Trail which passes through Monson has 
become heavily traveled in the last twenty years. Many hikers have discovered 
Monson as they stop for supplies, mail and to rest at Shaw's and the Pratt 
Boarding Home. At the present time, Monson has a population of about 750 people. 
The business community is smaller as residents travel to larger towns and cities 
to obtain the services they require. Monson is remembered today for its black 
slate, Moosehead furniture, Appalachian Trail, Monson Academy basketball teams, 
the Narrow Gauge Railroad and the home of the Swedish and Finnish people. Many 
changes have occurred over the last 175 years, but one thing remains the same, 
the spirit and willingness of the people to serve the community. As today becomes 
yesterday, today also becomes tomorrow, a tomorrow with the end of the 20th 
Century, a tomorrow as we go forward with the hope of a bright future for Monson 
in the 21st Century. Althea Haggstrom French

A successful Baked Bean Supper was served from 5-7 PM at the Monson Church of 
Christ Fellowship room on the North Guilford Road. The last event on Saturday, 
under the direction of Christine Sargent and Dick Hunt, was a Street Dance in 
front of the Monson Gym with the band "Foot Loose" playing from 8 PM-1 AM. The 
crowd had a wonderful time at the dance and enjoyed the band.


AFTERNOON PROGRAM


Photo # 55 cc


DECORATED PLATFORM


Photo #56cc


WELCOME Daryl & Mary Witmer, Co-chairpersons


Photo #57 cc Photo #58 cc


NATIONAL ANTHEM U.S. SENATOR FROM MAINE ROSE NELSON SUSAN COLLINS


Photo #59cc


TOWN GOVERNMENT AND STATE OFFICIALS L-R: Rep. Sharon Libby-Jones, Jeanne Reed, T. 
Mgr. Paul Suomi, Selectman & Senator Stephen Hall.


Photo #60cc


"Sentimental Journey" Rose Nelson, Jill Hunt with Michael Carolin on guitar.


Photo #61cc Photo #62cc


Monson Historical Society Monson Preservation Society Estella Bennett Annalee 
Korsman Libby


Photo #63 cc Photo #64cc


Moosehead Mfg. Co. Monson Academy Alumni Assoc. Wayne O. Huff, Pres. Glenn Poole, 
President


Photo #65cc


Monson, Massachusetts and Monson, Maine Firemen's Presentations


Photo #66cc Photo #67cc


Barber Shop Quartet Time Capsule L-R: Stephen Witmer, Tom Allen Christine Sargent 
Timothy & Andrew Witmer


Photo #68cc Photo #69cc


American Legion Essay Winners Historical Perspective Clowes Brown, Commander 
Althea French - Monson Historian


Photo #70cc


AFTERNOON PROGRAM - MONSON GYM


Photo #71 cc


EVENING STREET DANCE - "FOOTLOOSE" - SCHOOL YARD


SUNDAY - JUNE 29, 1997

On Sunday, June 29th, the townspeople with mixed emotions watched Engine No. 3 
fondly called the "Peanut Roaster" leave the Monson Station at 10 AM on a 
Bickford Transportation truck driven by Rick Sweetser for the return trip to 
Portland. Monson Engine No. 4 is presently being restored at the Narrow Gauge 
Railroad and Museum in Portland, Maine. The company hopes to return in the future 
with No. 4 to Monson for a visit. Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, Rev. Gard Rowe 
delivered the sermon at the Monson United Church of Christ. At 11:00 PM, Rev. 
William Huber preached at the Monson Community Church. The ministers were former 
pastors of the Monson Community Church. One of the highlights of the day was the 
12:30 PM luncheon and open house at the Good Samaritan Mission. A very rewarding 
experience for those attending to view the restoration of the former old Swedish 
Lutheran Church built in 1890. At 2 PM on Main Street there as a special exhibit 
featuring Monson's Church History down through the years held in the Educational 
Wing of the Monson Community Church.


MONSON CHURCH HISTORY SUNDAY Special Sunday Service June 29, 1997 - Monson 
Community Church - 3 PM

On Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM with every seat filled in the sanctuary at the 
Monson Community Church, the following service was presented. Invocation - Rev. 
George R. Castillo Introductory Comments - Pastor Daryl E. Witmer History 
Speakers -Monson Congregational Church - Constance MacPherson Monson Baptist 
Church - Bernice Knight Monson Community Church - Pastor Daryl Witmer Swedish 
Lutheran church and Good Samaritan Mission Supt. Joseph Pensiero Swedish 
Methodist Church - Evangeline Anderson Jackson Helen Sivula Johnson Pentecostal 
Church - Water Street - Daryl E. Witmer Monson United Church of Christ - Rev. 
Mark L. Arbisi Special Music - Thomas Allen, Stephen, Andrew & Timothy Witmer 
Prerecorded taped message by former Pastor Emil Ohokas Letters read from former 
Pastors - Everett Waite, Douglas Brayton & Gene Laramy - by Pastor D. Witmer 
Memories Shared By Former Monson Ministers: Donald Blanchette, Gard Rowe, Dick 
Huber, George R. Castillo, Edwin Stigen & Edgar Jones Benediction - Rev. Donald 
F. Blanchette Organist - Norma Tully Pianist - Betty Morrell

Immediately following the service a fellowship meal was served in the church 
dining hall at 5 PM. Monson's population more than doubled as an estimated 2000 
people attended the weekend celebration. As the sun disappeared behind Russell 
Mountain at the head of Lake Hebron, it was time to reflect and savor what a 
small town working together had successfully accomplished in the past year. The 
memories will linger for years to come in the hearts of the people who came 
together to celebrate a small country town -------"Monson".


JUNE 29, 1997 - ENGINE NO. 3 LEAVES MONSON


Use Photo #72cc


PREPARING TO LOAD ENGINE FOR RETURN TRIP TO PORTLAND


Use Photo #73cc


JUNE 29, 1997 - ENGINE NO. 3 LOADED ON FLATBED FOR THE TRIP TO PORTLAND


CHURCH HISTORY SUNDAY


Use Photo #74cc


L-R: Constance MacPherson & Pastor Daryl Witmer


Use Photo #75cc Use Photo #76cc


Rev. Mark Arbisi Bernice Knight


Use Photo #77cc Use Photo #78cc


Evangeline Anderson Jackson Helen Sivvla Johnson Swedish Methodist Swedish 
Methodist


Photo #79cc


Joseph Pensiero Swedish Lutheran Church - Good Samaritan Mission


Use Photo #80cc


L-R: Andrew Witmer, Tom Allen, Timothy and Stephen Witmer


Use Photo #81cc


VISITING MINISTERS L-R: Rev. Ed Stigen, Rev. Ed Jones, Rev. George Castillo, Rev. 
William "Dick" Huber, Rev. Donald Blanchette and Rev. Gard L. Rowe.


Use Photo #82cc


Norma Tully, Organist


Use Photo #83cc


Betty Morrell, Pianist


175th Anniversary Celebration - July 1997 - December 1997

HORIZON SCHOLARSHIPS 1997 Taken from the "Foxcroft Academy News" Fall & Winter 
1997

Amber Smith '98 Attends Summer Program at George Washington University

ADD: PHOTO OF AMBER WITH BOB DOLE - #84cc


Here in Amber's words is a description of her experience this past summer: "This 
summer, I attended the Next Generation Leadership Program at George Washington 
University in Washington, D.C. Thanks to the Horizon scholarship given to me, I 
was able to attend the four week program and earn three college credits in the 
Introduction to International Relations course. Not only did I get to attend 
classes at the University, but also got to experience living in our nation's 
Capitol. During my trip, I attended VIP tours of the White House, the Pentagon, 
and the Supreme Court. I was fortunate enough to meet with Congressman John 
Baldacci and Senator Susan Collins, along with having breakfast with Bob Dole. 
Living in Washington, D.C. for a month was truly a great opportunity and 
something I will remember for the rest of my life." Amber was one of the 50 
applicants chosen from the many applications received by the University from 
students throughout the United States. She also received a scholarship from the 
University. She is the daughter of Stan and Kathy (Kelley) Anderson and 
grand-daughter of Joyce Kelley, all of Monson. Note: Horizon Scholarships are 
made available through gifts to the Foxcroft Academy Annual Giving Campaign. 
Scholarships are awarded to students who are in their freshman, sophomore, or 
junior year at Foxcroft, enabling them to expand their horizons beyond the walls 
of Foxcroft Academy.


THREE MEN TO REMEMBER (Taken from the "Monson Historical News" - August 1997) 
Written by Paul Allen and Estella Bennett

On June 30th, George "Bill" Wentworth, 76, died at a Bangor Hospital. Bill came 
to Monson in 1951 and began work at Moosehead Mfg. Company. He worked in all 
departments of the factory including purchasing and head of maintenance until 
reaching the office of President until his retirement in 1991. We will remember 
Bill not only as a veteran of World War II and President of Moosehead Mfg. Co., 
but also as a very active member of the Monson Community Church. He also planted 
many trees around the town of Monson in a beautifying project dear to his heart. 
Bill was very active and was always looking for a way to make the town of Monson 
a nicer place to live. On July 4th John Ruksznis 82, died at his home. John 
arrived in Monson in the early 40's to work as a mechanic in the Monson Garage. 
After World War II broke out he went in the service, went to Officer Training 
School and served as a First Lieutenant in an ordinance Battalion. After his 
discharge he immediately returned to his work at the Monson Garage which he owned 
and operated until 1985 when he retired. Upon his retirement he built a garage on 
the back of his home and he continued part time work there until late in 1996. 
John was very active in the American Legion, VFW and 40 + 8 club. He served on 
the fire department for 51 years, serving as Fire Chief of the department for 17 
years. He loved to fish and enjoyed working in the garden. Milton Bartlett, 80, 
died in Dover-Foxcroft on July 9th. Milton was owner and operator of the Monson 
Gulf station for many years and was also a charter member of the Monson 
Historical Society. He served on the Historical Society Board of Directors and 
was a good friend to many in the community and will be sadly missed.

MONSON ACADEMY ALUMNI BANQUET CELEBRATING 50 YEARS - 1947-1997 Taken from the 
"Monson Historical News", August 1997 - Written by Daina Allen

A streamer canopy of black and orange and memorabilia from the days of Monson 
Academy set the tone as alumni and past teachers, numbering close to 200 in all, 
walked through the doors of the Monson gym on the evening of July 19th. The 
annual Saturday night Alumni Banquet, this year special as it coincided with the 
town's 175th Anniversary and the 50th Anniversary of the Monson Academy Alumni 
Association, soon turned into a night of fun, good natured competition, and the 
sharing of many fond memories. The evening began, as usual, with an excellent 
meal prepared by Cindy Turner ('67) with help from John Greenleaf ('67) on the 
grill. After an invocation by Constance MacPherson, past teacher and guest of the 
50th reunion class, dinner was served. Barbecued steak and chicken was 
accompanied by baked beans, an assortment of cold salads, Cindy's fantastic yeast 
rolls, and various deserts. Although several people showed up than made 
reservations, the kitchen staff made everything last so that no one went hungry. 
A number of classes, including the 50 year class of 1947, reserved tables so that 
memories could be shared and catching up could be done. The dinner hour over, 
Acting President Glenn Poole ('66) brought to order the annual business meeting. 
The treasurer's and secretary's reports were read and accepted, followed by the 
election of a new slate of officers. Once these issues had been attended to, the 
real fun could begin! Dwain Allen ('69) joined the festivities as bestower of 
awards and auctioneer. His first duty was to award the following prizes: Youngest 
Female Alum in attendance - Daina Allen ('92) Youngest Male Alum in attendance - 
Peter Knight ('85) Eldest Female Alum in attendance - Dot Forbus ('24) Eldest 
Male Alum in attendance - Mel Olson ('26) Alum who traveled the furtherest - 
Marvin Jackson ('47) from California Following this, four Moosehead Mfg. Co. 
chairs, two thumback Captain's chairs and two thumback side chairs, were raffled 
off. The winner was Darlene Kronholm of Millinocket, wife of Orman Kronholm 
('45). The most exciting moment of the evening however, was yet to come. Dwain 
switched faces and became auctioneer, auctioning off a bronze coin commemorating 
the 150th Anniversary of Monson to Jake Smith ('66) for $25.00. A silver coin, 
the last one available from the sesquicentennial town celebration, was won in a 
battle by Molly Poole for the magic number of $150.00. The business meeting 
concluded with a moment of silence for those alumni and alumni spouses who had 
passed away the previous year. Business for the evening concluded, a clean-up 
crew quickly cleared away the tables to make room for dancing, disc jockey Steve 
Pratt played for those wishing to stay. While they were working, other took the 
opportunity to examine all the pictures, championship basketballs (especially 
Monson Slaters 1000 point players Buddy Leavitt ('69), Laurie Anderson ('61), and 
Jake Smith ('66), trophies, cheerleading outfits, and academic blazers that were 
collected and displayed by Althea French ('44) and Elaine Roberts ('65). All in 
all, the evening was a success, with many alumni returning from far away places, 
or not so far away places, to rejoin their classmates and enjoy a good meal and 
some food fun.


JULY 27, 1997 "BUNNY" RETIRES In June 1997, after teaching for eighteen years at 
the "Pooh Corner Nursery" school, Bernice "Bunny" Knight retired. A party in her 
honor was held July 27th at the beautiful decorated Monson Gym. The party was 
given by family, friends and attended by many of the townspeople.

AUGUST 2, 1997 The annual United Church of Christ craft fair was held in the 
Municipal Building and the Monson Fire Department Auction on Garage Street were 
well attended.

AUGUST 9, 1997 Forty-two descendants and guests attended the 8th Annual Monson 
Swedish Reunion at William and Jane Macomber's home on Whetstone Pond in 
Blanchard, Maine. The following were honored for forming the first Swedish 
Descendants Reunion - Madeline Holmbom Pullen, Gertrude Carlson Cilley, Melvin 
Olson and Althea Haggstrom French.

AUGUST 11, 1997 The Annual Band Concert at the Bandstand featuring the Community 
Band and sponsored by the Monson Historical Society was canceled due to the 
inclement weather.

MONSON MUSEUM 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Written by Eloise Stevens, DAR member 
As part of the Monson Museum 25th Anniversary Celebration on August 14th, the 
museum held an open house featuring quilts and stories about the quilts. 
Displaying quilts were Signe Ranta, Inez Goodine, Peggy Paine, Eloise Stevens, 
Priscilla Robinson and Bernice Knight. A display of items made from slate by Emil 
A. Carlson was shown by his daughter, Mrs. Lurene Houston of Guilford. During 
this past summer special exhibits have included a model of a slate quarry by 
Daryle Flint, Finnish artifacts and pictures displayed by Annalee Libby and a 
collection of items of Monson slate made by local craftsmen.

INSERT PHOTO #93


THURLEY KNOWLES & ELOISE STEVENS Members of Tisbury Manor Chapter DAR and 
Organizers of Monson Museum 25th Anniversary


SEPTEMBER 1997 A scheduled September 13th Pot Luck Community Picnic and scavenger 
hunt was canceled. Committee was Richard and Louise Coburn. September 1997 - 
There are eight couples living in Monson married fifty or more years. The 
September issue of "Paper Talks" magazine featured the following couples from 
Monson, married fifty or more years: Colby & Barbara Kronholm, Robert & Joyce 
Brown, John & Arlene Wellenhoffer and Harold & Althea French. Not featured: 
Edward & Thelma Sears, Edward & Norma Tully, Cliff & Gerry Weymouth and John & 
Phyllis Ruksznis.


INSERT PHOTO'S # 94, #95, #96 & #97 cc (Anniversary couples)


OCTOBER 1997

"TOURS AT MOOSEHEAD MFG. COMPANY" (Taken from the "Moosehead Irregular" - Fall 
edition) Written by Tour Guide - Daina Allen

Moosehead Manufacturing held its first ever public tour season this summer. In 
celebration of our 50th Anniversary year, we opened our door to tourists and area 
residents to come see how the furniture that has help put Monson on the map is 
made. Having never done this before and not knowing what to expect, we originally 
advertised three tours a day from July 28th through August 8th. Due to popular 
demand, tours were extended through the week of August 11th. Most groups had 
anywhere from 12 to 20 people. The response to the tours was overwhelmingly 
positive. People left wanting to know where they could buy Moosehead furniture 
and encouraging us to offer tours more often. Surprisingly enough, the largest 
percentage of people taking tours came from Monson and the surrouding 
communities. People who have lived here all their lives and/or have relatives 
working for the company took advantage of the opportunity to see the plant at 
work, a new experience for most. Overall, we had about 380 people walk through 
the plant and see first-hand how we put together our furniture. In conclusion, I  would say that the tours were a great success and a truly positive public 
relations program.

ADD PHOTO'S OF WAYNE HUFF AND DIANA ALLEN HERE

Photo's #98 cc Photo #99cc


On October 21st, 18 of the 30 175th Anniversary Committee members gathered at 
Nick's North Country Restaurant in Dexter. The complimentary dinner was in 
appreciation for their dedication which made the 175th Anniversary celebration a 
huge success and one to be remembered for years to come. A short final business 
meeting followed the dinner.

On October 31st, a "Halloween Party" for the younger Monson school children was 
held at the Monson Gym at 6:30 PM. The scary and fun night was sponsored by the 
Recreation Committee under the supervision of Marcia (Knight) Martin.

NOVEMBER - 1997 Saturday, November 1st , the annual Hunter's Breakfast was held 
in the dining room at the Monson United Church of Christ.

DECEMBER 1997 On December 7th, the 14th Annual Kris Kringle Market craft fair was 
held at the Monson Gym. Crafts of all kinds were for sale and Santa Claus arrived 
to visit the children. A display of beautiful Ginger Bread buildings was featured 
with the theme: "Monson's 175th Birthday". The contest winners: 1st prize - "Lake 
Hebron Hotel", Chelsey Killam; 2nd prize - "Monson Station and Engine", Jeffrey 
Killam; 3rd prize - "A Monson home with kick-sled", Matthew and Olivia Bjork; 
Honorable Mention - "Individual Maine Street Buildings", the "Busy Buddies Day 
Care" children under the supervision of Sheri Bjork.

"Monson History Honored" (Taken from the Piscataquis Observer - December 1997) 
Written by Thurley Knowles

As the year 1997 is nearly over and the Centeseptquinary activities are 
finishing, Tisbury Manor Chapter DAR placed a garland and wreath to honor a bit 
of history. A garland frames a sign at the site of the first church erected north 
of Bangor in 1831 and dedicated as a Congregational Church. A wreath in honor of 
the 1887 band organizer and director W.C. Jackson and all Monson band members was 
placed on the bandstand, built in 1930. Wreaths decorate the Monson Museum in 
honor of Monson's 175th Anniversary and the 25th Anniversary of the museum, 
originally the Grand Army of the Republic building, built in 1889.

Last, but not least, a Time Capsule is the idea of Monson resident Christine 
Sargent and members of the Monson 175th Anniversary committee. In her speech at 
the 175th program, she said "twenty-five years doesn't seem like a long time, but 
enough to show the changes in the little community of Monson". Sargent and other 
Monson residents have been collecting items in 1997 and will continue to do so 
until May of 1998 when the capsule will be sealed and buried in an undisclosed 
site. It will be opened in the year 2022, Monson's 200th Birthday.

175th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE

Co-Chairmen: Daryl & Mary Witmer Secretaries: Janie Lander & Judy Lewis 
Treasurer: Bobbi Jean Ryder Special Consultant: Althea French Anniversary 
Calendars: Estella Bennett and the Historical Society Anniversary Cookbooks: 
Helen Grant, Cindi Annis, Chris Hall Publicity: Judy Lewis and Janie Lander 
Memorabilia: Janie Lander and Patty Brown Internet Web Page: Daryl Witmer, with 
Robert & Kym Brown Hospitality: Town Selectmen, Fire Department Photography: 
Carolyn Amos--co-ordinator, John Wentworth, Wayne Salisbury Fund Raisers: Cindi 
Annis, Chris Hall, Sue Ruby, Chris Sargent Birthday Supper - Feb. 8, 1997: Janie 
Lander, Judy Lewis, Renie French Birthday Ball - April 26, 1997: Rick & Mary 
Ellen Pembroke Children's Monson Essay Contest: Richard Coburn, American Legion 
Children's May Day & May Basket project: Patty Brown Monson Cleanup Day: Gina 
Reed Community Yard Sale: Gina Reed 175th Scrapbook Project: Janie Lander 
Children's Poster project: Mary Witmer Children's Senior Citizen interview 
project: Monson Elementary School Monson Map & Ad project: Carolyn Amos Finn Hall 
breakfast & dance: Annalee Korsman Libby, Finnish Farmers Club Craft Fair 
arrangements: Sue Ruby Narrow Gauge Engine #3 arrangements: Monson Historical 
Society Preservation Society - Museum Display: Annalee Libby Children's Games & 
Activities: Dick Hunt Parade: Chris Sargent, Clowes Brown, Monson Fire Department 
Decorations & arrangements: Gina Reed, Althea French, Cindy Ranta, Brenda Tetlow, 
MaryAnn Bjork, Kenny Stone Monson Fire Dept. Ceremony: Daryl & Mary Witmer, Gina 
Reed, Althea French Historical Photo & Art Exhibit: Bunny Knight Time Capsule 
project: Chris Sargent Street Dance: Chris Sargent & Dick Hunt Church History 
Sunday: Monson Community Church History Commission Community Picnic: Richard & 
Louise Coburn, Youth & Adult Rec. Committee History Book: Gina Reed, Althea 
French, Julie Anderson, Dick Hunt, Estella Bennett, Richard Coburn, Daryl Witmer

NOTES A 175th Anniversary Year Scrapbook containing newspaper articles and 
photo's, event notices and memorabilia was compiled by Janie Lander. A Photo 
Album containing photo's of all the events held during Monson's 175th Anniversary 
was beautifully arranged by Carolyn Amos. The album and scrapbook will be on 
display at the Monson Library or Monson Museum for everyone to enjoy. The new 
"History of Monson" 1822-1997 - book will go on sale during the Summer of 1998.

William Sawtell has recently compiled a complete history of Monson Academy which 
includes 300 pages and 109 photos and went on sale in December 1997. The cover 
was done by local artist Alan Bray, a graduate of Monson Academy.


MONSON ALUMNI BANQUET


Photo #85 cc


L-R: Glenn Poole - Presentation to Oldest Male Alumnus in attendance. Melvin 
Olson - Class of 1926

Photo #86 cc


50th Year Class - 1947 L-R: Beatrice Strout, Iris Freeman, Marvin Jackson, Hollis 
Nelson and Jerice Morgan


Photo #87 cc


DOROTHY (HOMER) FORBUS One of the oldest graduates in attendance at the Monson 
Academy Alumni Banquet


Photo #88 cc


MONSON ACADEMY GRADUATES Back Row: Margaret Farnham ('24), Betty Story ('31), & 
Jettie Hennigan ('27) Front Row: Beatrix Bray ('28) & Anna Douglass.


Photo #89 cc


POOH CORNER NURSERY - "BUNNY RETIRES"


Photo #90 cc


BERNICE "BUNNY" KNIGHT


Photo #91 cc


MONSON 8TH ANNUAL SWEDISH REUNION WHETSTONE POND - BLANCHARD

Photo #92 cc


HONORED FOR STARTING 1ST SWEDISH REUNION L-R: Madeline Holmbom Pullen, Gertrude 
Carlson Cilley, Melvin Olson & Althea Haggstrom French


BANQUET - NICK'S COUNTRY NORTH - OCTOBER 1997


Photo # 100 cc


Photo #101 cc


Photo #102 cc


14TH ANNUAL KRIS KRINGLE MARKET CRAFT FAIR GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST

INSERT PHOTO #103


L-R: Monson Home with kicksled - Olivia & Matthew Bjork; Lake Hebron Hotel - 
Chelsey Killam; Monson Station and Engine - Jeffrey Killam


INSERT PHOTO #104


L-R: MAIN STREET INDIVIDUAL HOUSES - Made by children at the "Busy Buddies Day 
Care" - supervised by Sheri Bjork.


Photo #105cc


L-R: ANNALEE LIBBY AND SHIRLEEN VAINIO


Photo #106cc


PRATT'S BOARDING HOME "PIE LADY" Greenville Road - 1997 Photo


Photo #107 cc


SHAW'S BOARDING HOME Pleasant Street- 1997 Photo


Photo #108 cc


SAL'S COUNTRY STORE Greenville Road - 1997 Photo


Photo #109 cc


MEMORIAL PARK - WATER STREET 1997 Photo


Photo #110 cc


1997 - MAIN STREET - LOOKING NORTH WEST SIDE


Photo #111 cc


1997 - MAIN STREET - LOOKING SOUTH


Photo #112 cc

JENNIFER: Please print this one photo vertically and print the following below 
the photo:

KENNEDY SLATE, ROBINSON'S MOBIL MART AND ZEM STEVENS HOME


1972 HONORABLE MENTION

We wish to acknowledge and express our deepest appreciation and our thanks to the 
following people who have contributed much of their time, material and photos. 
For without the cooperation of the Townspeople and former residents of Monson, 
this book would not have been possible.

Arthur Haggstrom Mrs. Eloise Stevens Edna Champion Haggstrom Mr. George Rongner 
Mrs. Opal Jones Nelson Mrs. Dorcas Benton Leavitt Mrs. Dorothy Homer Forbes Mr. 
Oswald Poole Mrs. Esther Johnson Pennington Mrs. Joyce Brown Mrs. Mary Farrar 
Jones Mr. Francis Marshall Paul Nelson, Dexter Charles & Zelma Stevens Evelyn 
Sanborn Nelson, Dexter Miss Vivienne Bray Mrs. Louise Grover Mr. Webber Davis, 
Guilford Mrs. Odessa Johnson Benton Mrs. Rose Nelson Mrs. Manghild Olson 
Emanuelson Mrs. Judy Brown Judkins Mrs. Edith Haggstrom Olson, D-F Mr. Martin 
Leighton, E. Corinth Mrs. Marie Elliot Page, Milo Mr. Robert E. Lander Mr. 
Tolford Durham Mrs. Thyra Peterson Wilson Wilkins, Poughkeepsie, NY Mrs. Beatrix 
Jackson Bray, Sangerville

1997 HONORABLE MENTION Daryl & Mary Witmer Philip & Bernice Knight JENNIFER: 
PLEASE LIST IN TWO COLUMNS John Sandberg John & Nancy Tatko, Willimantic Bette 
(Holmbom) Belmont, Shirley Beth Cawley, MA Barry Atkins, MA Mr. Eugene Witmer, PA 
Clifton &Evangeline Jackson, N.C. Larry Conley, Guilford Lawrence Dauphinee, N. 
Guilford Paul & Joyce Allen Barry Scott Hall, MA Lisa Allen Nancy (Douglass) 
Kelley Bill Macomber, Blanchard Richard Coburn Edwin Laverty, Gorham Rick 
Pembroke Laura Packard, Willimantic

1972 PATRONS AND PATRONESSES

Judge and Mrs. Millard Emanuelson, Portland JENNIFER: PLEASE LIST IN TWO COLUMNS 
Mrs. Sara Worster, Portland Mrs. Blodwen Ward Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Kronholm Mr. 
and Mrs. Robert Sawyer, Sr Mrs. Edmond Richards Thomas Sawyer, FL Wesley H. 
Olson, Sr., MA Mr. and Mrs. Into Suomi, Augusta Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hoyt Mrs. 
Edith Carlson, Portland Mr. and Mrs. George Hupper, S. Portland Miss Irene 
Carlson, Portland Mrs. Joyce Marsano, Portland Mrs. Manghild Emanuelson Mr. and 
Mrs. Melvin Olson, MA Mrs. Esther Pennington Forrest & Eloise S. Stevens Mrs. 
Manford Knowles

1997 PATRONS AND PATRONESSES

Robert & Dagmar Greenleaf Family JENNIFER: PLEASE LIST IN TWO COLUMNS Susan & 
James Flynn Family, VA Clifton & Evangeline Jackson, N.C. George & Cecilia 
Rongner, FL Grace "Connie" & Elmer Kuusela John Powell, MA Larson Powell 
Christine (Strout) Coburn Lillian (Strout) Mitchell Marguerite French Harold & 
Althea French Glenys N. Ebersold, CT Doris N. Turner, CT Helen V. Johnson Erma 
Small Jake & Glenda Smith Alfred, Beverly & Helen Grant Hannah M. Vigue Lois 
(Sanborn) Taylor Kenneth & Dorothy Simmons Lodie C. (Casey)Etheridge-Darmstadt, 
N.H. Charles "Bill" Brown Sr. Mike & Gina Reed Amy & Chris Pushor Glenda & John 
Sylvester Myron A. & Ellen K. Quigley George & Sylvia (Petterson) Cousins, FL 
Viva Wilson, CT Katherine Wilson, FL Tim & Julie Anderson & Family Mary E. Nelson 
David & Diana Nelson, VA Douglas Nelson, PA Seven Pines Farm - 1842 Daryl & Mary 
Witmer Foster & Debbie Ward Zem Stevens & Family The Hebron St. Annis Family 
Colby & Barbara Kronholm Wayne & Estella Bennett Tom, Chris, Heather, Whitney, 
Brooke & Jami Hall P.W. Knight Family The Robinsons Paul Bernard Nelson & June 
(Asbury) Nelson, N.H. Barry & Susan Hall, MA Gregory, Janie & Dustin Lander 
Family of Scott Lander, Sr. Patsy (Nelson) Johnson, AZ Barry Scott Hall, MA


IN MEMORIAM Robert L. Greenleaf Nellie & John L. Johnson JENNIFER: PLEASE LIST IN 
TWO COLUMNS Eda S. Johnson & Charles F. Anderson Roy & Miriam (Anderson) 
Petterson Esther (Johnson) Pennington Samuel J. Pennington Oscar R. Johnson, M.D. 
Herbert F. Johnson Minnie & Arthur Pennington Ann Elliot & Albert F. Jackson 
Grace Harlow & Walter C. Jackson Edith Draper & Earle H. Jackson Clayton D. 
Jackson Amanda & William Partanen Paul & Myrtle Jackson Henry & Katherine Knight 
George L. & Mildred C. Seabury Ida & Lauri Kuusela Manda & Arvid Kuusela Sanfred 
E. Larson Marta Larson Madeline (Larson) Powell Blanch (Larson) Stanton Mary E. 
Larson Ruth G. Larson Vanner T. Larson John E. Larson Clarence Larson Theodore B. 
Strout Celia (Moore) Strout-Ahearn Arthur & Edna (Champion) Haggstrom Daniel & 
Ethel (Heaney) Champion Peter & Bertha (Henriksson) Haggstrom Elwin French Arthur 
E. & Ebba (Bjork) Nelson Oscar & Thyra (Bjork) Peterson John & Jessie Nelson 
Edwin Nelson Robert Nelson George Nelson Frank W. Nelson Sherwood R. Johnson Mr. 
& Mrs. Nestor Sivula Hilkka K. Sivula Erwin Small Harland Johnson Clarence & 
Florence Snow LaForest Snow Philias J. Casey & Rose (Cormier) Casey Regis J. 
(Ray) Casey Harry & Bessie Davis & Family Morrill & Harriet (Seavey) Prescott 
Thomas Jones & Mary Jane (Murphy) Poole Carl M. & Margaret (Brown) Poole Oswald 
Brown & Bernadine (Theriault) Poole Ellen T. Brown Rebecca (Brown) Austin Family 
of Eric Brown Grace (Nelson) Nace Sam & Maria Ulman Roland Needahbeh Nelson & 
Opal (Jones) Nelson Paul Nelson Paul Andrew Nelson Alexander, Edith, Irene, Inez 
(Hupper) Carlson John & Ingrid Olson John & Julianna Carlson Charles W. Stevens 
George "Bill" Wentworth Douglas Ryder Gordon & Janette Hall Berenice Abbott 
Orville Moody Milford Copeland Vernon Wilson Merwin Wilson Edward & Amy Kronholm 
Julius & Bengta Kronholm William & Mary Estella Lindie Bernard & Marion (Greeley) 
Sanborn

To our advertisers we extend our special thanks in helping to defray the expense 
of publishing. The 1972 advertising section was solicited by Robert E. Lander. 
The 1997 advertising section was solicited by Richard Hunt, Richard Coburn, 
Estella Bennett, Helen Grant, Chris Hall, and Gina Reed.

Note: 1997 Patrons and Patronesses - Names listed without state are all Maine 
residents. 1997 - In Memoriam - Names listed were all Monson residents.

1972 & 1997 HISTORY BOOK REFERENCES

Our sources of material were obtained from personal contacts, newspaper 
clippings, personal diaries and the following: ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE 
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 1822-1922, Monson, Maine, Saturday August 19, 1922. 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION, Main Addrcss by Rev. Charles Davison. PHARETRA, 
Monson Academy Yearbook, 1909, 1914, 1922, 1925, 1932, 1947,1968. HISTORY OF 
PISCATAQUIS COUNTY, From its Earliest Settlement to 1880, Loring. Newspapers: THE 
BANGOR DAILY NEWS, THE PISCATAQUIS OBSERVER, MOOSEHEAD MESSENGER. PORTLAND PRESS 
HERALD and GAZETTER OF MAINE - By George J. Varney, published in 1880. MONSON 
MASSACHUSETTS, 1971 ANNUAL TOWN REPORT. HISTORY OF THE HEBRON CHURCH, June, 1966, 
Hebron, Maine. SPRAGUE'S JOURNALS. MAPS DRAWN AND PUBLISHED BY GEORGE E. NORRIS, 
Brockton, Massachusetts, 1889 (List of Mountains). OLD PHOTOS, F. H. Sherburne - 
Leon Wilkins and Perley Lambert, photographers. 1972 PHOTOS AND REPRODUCTIONS, 
Kendrick Benton. 1972 COVER - AERIAL PHOTO, Terris Moore, 1971. OLD PHOTOS, 
Loaned by DAR Tisbury Manor Chapter. Loaned by Monson Historical Society MAP 
PHOTOS, Photographed by K. Benton from the Map of Piscataquis County from surveys 
under the direction of H. F. Walling, 1858. Field notes under the direction of L. 
H. Eaton, Esq.,Civil Engineer, Bangor, Maine. Published by Lee and Marsh, 90 
Fulton St., New York. In 1858, Population of Monson was 654. ATLAS OF PISCATAQUIS 
COUNTY, MAINE, Geo. N. Colby & Co., 1882. THE MAINE TWO-FOOTERS, by Linwood W. 
Moody, Howell-North, Berkeley, California, 1959. 1972 History of Monson, Maine 
1997 PHOTOGRAPHERS: John Wentworth and Wayne Salisbury 1997 COVER PHOTO: Larson 
Powell, Photographer, Portland, ME (Son of Elsie Madeline Larson and Grandson of 
Fred & Martha Larson of Chapin Ave. Monson, ME. 1997 Old Photos loaned by Monson 
Historical Society and many loaned by friends. 1997 Resources from Annual Town 
Reports, town records, Community Church records, Monson UCC records and citizens. 
Foxcroft - News for Alumni & Friends of Foxcroft Academy Vol No. XIII 
Spring/Summer edition. Moosehead Irregular - Fall Edition 1997 Monson Historical 
News - August Edition 1997 The Two Foot Flyer - Vol. 5 #3 - 1997 All data, names 
and dates were secured from as many sources as time permitted, therefore, we ask 
our readers to please forgive any omissions and inaccuracies that may be found 
throughout the text.


MONSON VETERAN'S

Veterans of each major conflict in our nation's history have played a very active 
role in Monson's 175 year history. Veteran's organizations which have played an 
active role have been comprised of both men and women. Some of these 
organizations were the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Gerry Post #5, Sons of 
Union Veterans, Gerry Relief Corps #43, Oral A. Towne American Legion Post #116, 
the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #116. 
Veterans continue to be an active part of the community and a number of retired 
military personnel reside in the community. The Town of Monson sponsors a 
Memorial Day parade each year which is directed by the members of the 
Towne-Holmbom Post #116 of the American Legion. All major civic organizations 
participate in this parade. At this time every year, the American Legion post 
conducts memorial services at each of the cemeteries located in town, as well as 
in Blanchard and Elliottsville. It is the responsibility of the Legion to insure 
that the graves of all known veterans are decorated with a flag and a grave 
marker on Memorial Day. In addition to Memorial Day activities, the Legion 
traditionally assists in the town's spring Clean-up Day by cooking hotdogs for 
the participants. The American Legion and Legion Auxiliary also sponsor eligible 
Monson student candidates attending Foxcroft Academy to attend sessions of Boy's 
and Girl's State. The Legion conducts a number of fund raisers which assist with 
various projects and causes in the town. The Town of Monson has dedicated 
monuments to its' veterans. One is located near the village cemetery. This 
monument is all inclusive as it recognizes both men and women as well as veterans 
from the town and those who have come here from other places. The second memorial 
is the town's flag pole which was moved from its' former location in 1993 to its' 
present one next to the Town Office. The major monument in town is the Town Honor 
Roll, located in front of the Town Office. It was moved to this location in 1984. 
In recent years, in conjunction with the town and the American Legion, the Honor 
Roll has been rescued from neglect and was repaired in honor of the 175th 
Anniversary of the Town.

Richard Coburn Towne-Holmbom Post No. 116

CIVIL WAR 1861-1865

Elias T. Andrews John H. Andrews JENNIFER: PLEASE LIST ALL VETERANS IN TWO COL. 
Thomas Arnold+ Timothy C. Atkinson George H. Bennett Chandler Bickford James C. 
Bishop Daniel C. Braiser+ Cyrus Bray George H. Bray William H. Buck* William 
Buck, Jr. John B. Butler Albert W. Chapin+ John A. Chick Fred C. Coan Alonzo J. 
Cook Solomon S. Cole Charles E. Colomy Moses G. Colomy+ Benjamin Cowan Daniel 
Cunningham David S. Curtis Eugene W. Curtis Morrill G. Curtis+ Rufus G. Curtis, 
Jr.+ A. Judson Cushman George H. Cushman* Jeremiah Daine Alden B. Davis George A. 
Davis+ Eben P. Davis Harrison Davis Nathaniel S. Davis Richard Davis William H. 
Davis Samuel C. Davis Charles E. Dearborn George F. Dearborn George Doughty 
Stephen F. Douglass John Dow Thomas P. Elliott Ezekiel Elliott* Freeman Ellis 
Stephen Fletcher Levi C. Flint Thomas W. Flint Henry M. Folsom G. W. Frost 
Charles D. Furbush Amasa S. Garland Charles A. Gates+ Frank Gates+ Daniel R. 
Gerrish Isaac N. Glidden Abram Goding Albert Goodwin Dexter Goodwin George 
Goodwin Merritt Goodwin Samuel S. Goodwin Stinson Goodwin George H. Graffam 
Herman Green+ Joseph Green Thaddeus Green John S. Haines Marcell W. Hall+ Daniel 
S. Harrington Isaiah Heal Gustavus B. Hescock Henry A. Higgins Jeremiah Hill 
Charles J. House Lloyd Howard Henry A. Hussey William M. Hutchins Albert F. 
Jackson Flavel Jackson* George F. Jackson Bradish B. Jackson+ John H. Jackson 
Joseph T. Jackson Robert G. Jones William G. Jones Thomas W. Knight Winfield 
Scott Knight Horatio G. Knowles Joseph Lambert, Jr. John Lemont William Lane J. 
C. Larrabee Sewell Leeman Charles H. Lord William MacDermott John MacDermott 
Sylvanus B. Macomber Isaac J. Marble Cyrus McKinney Granville McKinney Daniel 
McKinney John H. MacKinney W. D. McKinney Robert L. Merrill Caleb Moody Alvin F. 
Morrill Charles W. Morrill Almon C. Morton* Alonzo S. Norris Melvander Packard 
Simeon D. Packard Sumner A. Patten S. P. Pendleton Orin Piper Thomas Poole Simon 
D. Ranlett Seth W. Roberts William L. Sampson+ Edward P. Scales William T. 
Sibley+ Adelbert A. Simonds Eleazar H. Smith J. Calvin Stanchfield Edwin C. 
Stanchfield Brown B. Steward John M. Steward* Mark P. Steward Moses Steward Seth 
W. Steward Sylvanus B. Steward+ William P. Steward Leonard Stone Warren 
Sturtevant, Jr. Samuel A. Swanton Nathaniel Swett Bonaparte H. Swift George W. 
Tebbetts John Tebbetts, Jr. Robert T. Thomas+ Adoniram Towne Thomas A. Trask+ 
John c. Tripp Eli Veancho Charles A. Wentworth Charles F. Whitcomb Ira Pitman 
Wing Samuel A. Wing Dennis H. Witham William Watt Moses P. Wedgewood

*Killed in battle or died from effects of wounds received in battle. +Wounded in 
service.


VETERANS OF THE SPANISH WAR - 1898 Charles J. Johnson Perry F. Thombs Joseph 
William Russell


VETERANS OF WORLD WAR I - (1914-1918)

Staka Atanasoff George Bigger+ Rutherford Benton Robert Bigger Ira Bishop Amos 
Bodge Alex Carlson Ernest Coffin Harry Coffin Kenneth Davis Ernest Degerstrom 
Albert Degerstrom Charles T. Douglass Eric L. Erickson Rudolph Erickson Franklin 
T. Flint+ Levi Flint Leon Frost# Raymond Hammond Kandrat Hann Byron Harmon Milton 
Hescock Eric Holmquist Howell Hughes Norman Hussex Albert Isackson Oscar Isackson 
Ivan Isackson Dearborn Jackson Howard Jackson Herbert Johnson Alfred Jacobson 
Arvid Johnson# Lawrence Johnson Oscar Johnson Urban Jones Byron Kellgren+ Harry 
Kimball Frank Korn Edwin Knowles# Oscar B. Kronholm# John Emil Larson Frank A. 
Larson Hillary LeClair+ Elmer Lindie William Lindie, Jr. William O. Mackie Emil 
Mackie Frank McIver Thomas Mountain August L. Nelson Paul Nelson+ Elam Olson 
Fabian Olson August Peterson Harry W. Sampson Lawrence Sanborn Elwyn F. Smith 
Oral A. Towne* Frank Wentworth William Wickman


*Killed in action + Wounded in Service #Died from sickness


WORLD WAR II VETERANS (Dec 8, 1941 - May 7, 1945 (V.E. Day) (Dec. 11, 1941 - 
Sept. 2, 1945 (V.J. Day)

Kenneth Ackerson Francis Ackerson Olavi F. Anderson Raymond Anderson Toivio 
Anderson Verner Anderson Walter Anderson George Bessey Clarence Bjork Oscar Bjork 
Raymond Bjork Grayson Bishop Stanley Brasier Walter Brasier Bryant M. Brown 
Clayton W. Brown George W. Brown Gilbert M. Brown Robert C. Brown Robert B. Brown 
Henry Carlson Norris A. Casey Ray J. Casey M. Christensen Carlton D. Cook Ernest 
Copeland Clyde Crockett James Crockett Carl Dauphinee L. Dauphinee William 
Dauphinee Betty L. Davis Donald J. Davis Dustin Donahue Guy F. Dore Roy Danielson 
Charles S. Douglass Chester R. Drew Donovan D. Drew Frederick T. M. Drew Harry L. 
Drew Leon Duval Reginald S. Duval Millard Emanuelson Merle Finley Harold French 
(DV) Robert L. Greenleaf -POW Gordon Hall Wilbur Hammond Milton Hescock Lawrence 
Holmbom* Theodore Holmbom William Holmbom Henry Homer Raymond Hughes Adolph 
Johnson Arthur Johnson Francis Jones Ivan C. Jones Thaxter Jones Clayton Jackson 
Clifton Jackson Byron Johnson Ruth Johnson Lloyd G. Kelley Harland Kirk Philip 
Knight Aubrey Kronholm Colby Kronholm Ellery Kronholm Orman Kronholm Elmer 
Kuusela Anton Larson Frank Larson Robert Larson Sherwood Larson Vanner T. Larson 
Robert Landry* Reginald Leighton - POW William Lindahl Harry Lindie Robert Lloyd 
Roy Lloyd Lawrence Lovejoy Haven Lumbert Donald MacPherson Esko Mutanen Viola 
Mackie Robert Nason Arthur P. Nelson Dana Nelson Edwin Nelson Frank W. Nelson 
George Nelson + Mary T. Nelson Lester A. Olson Russell A. Olson Maurice Palm Eino 
Partinen Neil Patterson Oswald Poole Philip Pratt Henry Pulkkinen Herbert 
Pulkkinen Winston Pullen J. Record Pullen Jorma Ranta Fidele Richards John 
Richards Myron Robinson Norman Robinson Willard Sandberg Max Sidelinger Eli 
Simard Frederick Simmons Kenneth Simmons Philip Soderquist Gerald Stanchfield 
Omar Stanchfield Sheldon Stanchfield Stillman Stevens Charles W. Stevens Kenneth 
Simpson Philip Stinchfield Uuno Suomi Edwin E. Suomi William Suomi Philip B. 
Thomas Eino Tuomi George Ulman Oscar Ulman Onni Vainio Svandi Vainio Voitto 
Vainio Nelda Weeks Roger Wentworth Lawrence Wilkins Edwin Wuori Tyyne Wuori 
Robert Zimmerman Myron Zimmerman

*Killed in action +Died in service DV -Disabled Veteran POW - Prisoner of War


OTHER MONSON REGISTERED SERVICEMEN Since World War II - (1945 -1972) Korean 
(1950-1955) and Vietnam Veterans and Servicemen Included (1965-1972) (Any 
Omissions and Errors Purely Unintentional)

Anderson, Milton Leroy Akerson, Sherman Dean Barrows, Robert Elliot Berg, Elmer, 
Jr. Bickford, Merle Eugene Bjork, John Andrew Bjork, William Martin Blethen, 
Philip++ Brown, Dale Holmes Brown, Colby Meredith Brown, Charles Edward Burke, 
Ronald Ray Bohan, Paul Gregory Brown, Clowes Lee Brown, David Morgridge 
Butterfield, Hilbert Allen Crockett, Erlon Dana Carlow, Florian Vincent Copeland, 
Ernest Edwin Douglass, Clifford Charles Drugge, Donald Edward Drugge, Gerald 
Victor Durham, James Brook Dickinson, Douglas Dickinson, Walter Andrew Douglass, 
Stephen Alan Erickson, Paul Andrew Erickson, Laurance Malcolm Finley, Richard 
Warren Falconer, George Paul Flint, Harold Charles Flint, Herbert Franklin Flint, 
Philip Davis Greenleaf, James Leslie Greenleaf, James Archie Greenleaf, Jeffrey 
Charles Grant, Timothy Paul ++ Holmbom, Garold Leonard Hitchborn, George Holmbom, 
David Andrew Hussey, Winston Carol Hansen, Harlan Hansen, Herman Holmbom, Paul 
Lewis Harris, Ronald Cook Jacobson, Barry Edwin Jacobson, Ronald C. Jackson, 
Marvin Eldridge Johnson, Roger Laurence Johnson, Peter Kendall Jacobson, Andrew 
Everett Jones, Thaxter Burton, Jr. Kelley, Edward Varney Kirk, Mahlon Randall 
Korsman, Arvo Victor Kelley, Glen Melvin Kronholm, Orman F. Kelley, Lloyd Richard 
Leavitt, Cyril Miles Lindie, Harry E. Lindie, William A. Lindie, Alan Elmer Lord, 
Brendon Richard Lindie, Harry Elmer Jr. Lindie, Robert Colton MacDuffee MD,
Charles Andrew Marshall, Richard Allan Marshall, Robert 
Francis Mackie, Richard Wellington McAfee, John David McDonald, Harold Aalto 
Nadeau, Gerald James Nasberg, Arthur Ernest Nasberg, Donald Albion Nelson, David 
Warren Nelson, Edwin Nelson, Frank W. Nelson, Hollis Frank Nelson, Robert 
Sherwood Niesar, Lucinda (Forbus) Pullen, Stanwood Record, Jr. Pullen, Peter 
Winfred Ponkala, Carl Richard Ponkala, John Philip Patterson, Linwood G. 
Patterson, Michael Ray Patterson, Warren Roberts, Raymond Carl Richards, Fidele 
Roberts, William Coburn Robinson, Robert Frank Robinson, Blaine Champion 
Robinson, William Walter Ranta, Evelyn Ranta, William Johnson Raymond, Peter 
Hollis Reed, Gordon Allen Simpson, Edward Eugene Stanchfield, Lamont Carlton 
Storer, Alan Basil Storer, Henry Judson Storer, Berwin Walter Sidelinger, Wayne 
Elwin Smith, Leo Clayton++ Sandberg, Reginald Irwin Spack, Steven Robert Spack, 
Zigmond Walter Stanchfield, Carlton Hill Stone, Wilbur Leroy Jr. Sears, Gary 
Joseph Simmons, Kenneth Suomi, Paul Oscar Taylor, Daniel Leslie Wyman Ulman, 
Oscar Carroll Vainio, Eric Mathew Waymouth, Harry Preston Weeks, Nelda Weymouth, 
Peter Galen Weymouth, Robert Douglas Wheaton, Bliss Allan Williams, Neal Andrew

*Killed in action ++Died in service

In conclusion, equal homage is attributed also to the servicemen who now reside 
in Monson but are registered servicemen elsewhere, many of whom are on honor 
rolls or honored lists in their respective registered communities. "Servicemen 
should be remembered with gratitude and affection and their devotion to the cause 
of liberty should be sacredly cherished by us and by those who shall come after 
us, as worthy of imitation." (Note: Quote made by Rev. Charles Davison, in his 
Semi-Centennial Commemorative Address, 1872.)


HISTORY OF MONSON, MAINE - 1972 ADVERTISERS

Dr. Isaac Nelson Hardwood Products, Inc. Greenville and Monson, ME Guilford, ME

N.H. Nickerson, M.D. Fox & Ginn, Inc. Greenville, ME Bangor, ME

Orville C. Harvey French & Curtis Co. Funeral Service Gulf Heating Oil Kenneth B. 
McArdle - Owner Guilford, ME Greenville, ME

Ross Drug Store W. G. Blake's Agency Donald V. Pushor, Prop. Insurance -Real 
Estate Guilford, ME Guilford, ME

Edmund Y. Harvey, D.M.D. G. C. Howard, M.D. Greenville, ME Guilford, ME

Moosehead Manufacturing Co. Portland-Monson Slate Co. Monson, ME Monson, ME

Northeast Bank of Guilford Darling's Auto Parts Guilford & Greenville, ME 
Dover-Foxcroft, ME

"Compliments of a Friend" Hartley's Chrysler-Plymouth-GMC Corinna, ME

Herring Bros. Meats Guilford Hardware Malcolm and Lorring Herring Guilford, ME 
Guilford, ME


Pride Manufacturing Co. Johnston and Hibbard Guilford, ME Guilford, ME

Stanley A. Robinson Davis Bros. Furniture Real Estate & Insurance And Monson, ME 
Gold Nugget Restaurant Guilford, ME

PE. Ward & Co. Jo L's Toppe Knott Shoppe Dover-Foxcroft, ME Beauty Service - 
Joyce Lander, Prop. Monson, ME Western Auto Associate Store John & Marion 
Morrison, Prop. Poole's Market Guilford, ME Monson, ME

Robert L. Greenleaf F. G. Marshall Insurance Agency Electrician and L.P. Gas 
Monson, ME Monson, ME

"Kahvila" Restaurant Yankee Trader Helen Johnson, Prop. Lanny Robbins, Prop. 
Monson, ME Monson, ME

Robert E. Lander W. B. Davis, Jeweler 

General Insurance Dover-Foxcroft, ME Monson, ME

Titus Jewelry Store Tisbury Manor Chapter DAR Dover-Foxcroft, ME Monson, ME

Gass Office Products Center Guilford Dry Cleaners 

Bangor, ME Guilford, ME

Monson Garage Weatherbee's Inc. Hardware Store John Ruksznis, Prop. 
Dover-Foxcroft, ME

Blue Goose Antiques Bartlett's Gulf Station Ed and Evelyn Adams, Prop. Milton 
Bartlett, Prop. Monson, ME Monson, ME

Monson Laundramat Hutchins Brothers Printers Monson, ME Thorndike, ME

Sears Roebuck & Co Meisner & Herring, Inc. Gene Johnson - Catalog Merchant Farm & 
Industrial Machinery Dover-Foxcroft, ME Dover-Foxcroft, ME

Koritsky's Dept. Store A. E. Robinson Oil Co., Inc. Dover-Foxcroft, ME 
Dover-Foxcroft, ME

Triangle Service Station Daigle & Daigle Malcolm J. Drummond, Prop. Hardware - 
Building Supplies Guilford, ME Carpenters Monson, ME Chase & Kimball Oil Co. 
Dover-Foxcroft, ME

Storer's Home Care Center Monson, ME


FULL PAGE AD:


CAMERA READY COPY ATTACHED


Since 1917 SHELDON SLATE PRODUCTS, INC.

PRODUCERS OF SLATE FLOOR TILE, FLAGGING, STRUCTURAL SLATE AND ROOFING, MONUMENTS 
AND SLATE SINKS.

Monson, Maine 04464 - (207) 997-3615 Middle Granville, New York 12849 - (518) 
642-1280 Fax: (207) 997-2966


´ PAGE AD:


CAMERA READY COPY ATTACHED FOR:


MOOSEHEAD MANUFACTURING

MANUFACTURERS OF COLONIAL FURNITURE

Phone 997-3621 Monson, Maine


´ PAGE AD: CAMERA READY COPY ATTACHED FOR:


Wishing continued good health to MONSON, MAINE


MAYO REGIONAL HOSPITAL AD


´ PAGE AD:


A. E. ROBINSON'S MOBIL MART Sandwiches - Coffee - Groceries - Gas Sporting Goods 
- Licenses Your One Stop Shop - Open 265 Days 5 AM - 10 PM


´ PAGE AD:

FRENCH CONSTRUCTION Foundation, Slabs, Backhoe, Etc. Jim French, Prop. (207) 
876-2276 Sum. Res. (207) 997-3295 Blaine Ave., PO Box 386, Guilford, ME 04443

A graduate and summer resident of Monson


´ Page Ad:


Compliments of CROSBY & NEAL FUNERAL HOME & NEAL MONUMENT CO. Guilford, ME 
976-3388


1/4 PAGE AD:

Office (207) 654-2293 Fax (207) 654-2000 FARRIN BROS. & SMITH, INC Highway 
Contractors Since 1945 HC 31 Box 40 Brighton Plt., Maine 04942

Reginald G. Cobb Dexter 924-7186 Ronald L. Farrin Pittsfield, 487-3860 Bruce T. 
Farrin Norridgewock Kerry R. Farrin Athens


1/4 PAGE AD:

GARY KILLAM Building Contractor Blanchard, ME (207) 997-3364


1/4 PAGE AD:

WEBBER HARDWARE & Building Supply 10 Merrick Square Dover-Foxcroft, Maine 04426

(207) 564-2751


1/4 PAGE AD:

SHAWS BOARDING HOME Appalachian Trail Hikers 21 Years over 22,000


1/4 PAGE AD -CAMERA READY COPY ATTACHED FOR:

INDIAN HILL INDIAN HILL TRADING POST SUPERMARKET


1/4 PAGE - CAMERA READY COPY ATTACHED FOR:

LARY FUNERAL HOME INC.

PISCATAQUIS MONUMENTAL CO. INC.

Philip S. Annis Eric L. Annis Mark W. Robinson President

1/4 PAGE AD:

ROSS DRUG STORE Donald V. Pushor, B.S. Reg. Pharm., Prop. Shawn Pushor, Reg. 
Pharm., B.S. 876-2621 ME 1-800-439-2621 The Family Store Full Pharmacy Service


1/4 Page Ad:

GUILFORD HARDWARE SERVISTAR Your Complete Home Improvement Center Lumber - 
Plywood - Mouldings - Sheet Rock Roofing - Hardware - Paints - Insulation - Grain 
TEL. 876-2222 WATER STREET, GUILFORD Credit Cards: Visa, Discover & Mastercard


1/4 PAGE - SEE CAMERA-READY COPY ATTACHED FOR:

ROWELL'S PONTIAC-GMC\JEEP


1/4 PAGE AD:

KyND INTERNET SERVICES

TEL: (207) 876-2736 FAX: 876-4664 email: kynd@kynd.com http://www.kynd.com


ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE FOR 1/8 PAGE AD'S:

1/8 PAGE AD:

C. W. & H. M. HAYES ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW 5 LINCOLN STREET / P.O. BOX 
189 DOVER-FOXCROFT, MAINE 04426-0198 Phone 207-564-3314 / Fax 207-564-7015


1/8 page ad - Camera Ready Copy attached for:

DAVE'S WORLD Radio Shack SALES & SERVICE 16 Summer Street Dover-Foxcroft, ME 
04426 Tel. 564-2784


1/8 PAGE AD - See Business Card - Camera Ready for:

Edward H. Kurzius General Manager

Brothers Chevrolet-Buick, Inc.


1/8 page ad:

BUSY BUDDIES LICENSED FAMILY DAYCARE Pleasant St. - Monson, Maine SHERI BJORK - 
997-3536

14 Years Experience Nutritional Meals & Snacks Provided


1/8 page ad:

NORTH COUNTRY SEAFOOD Lobsters - Clams - Scallops Tel: 997-3685 Monson, ME

1/8 page ad:

Compliments of GREG LANDER & SON


1/8 PAGE AD:

L.G. KELLEY & SONS, INC. Backhoe - Septic systems - Gravel Loam - Woodlots Tel: 
207-997-3616 or 997 3969


1/8 page ad:

ABBOT VILLAGE BAKERY Phone 876-4243 Home of the "SKIDDER TIRE DOTNUT" Rt 15 - 
P.O. Box 151 Abbot Village, Maine 04406 Open 4:00 am to 9:00 pm Daily 
Eat-In/Take-out


1/8 page ad:

COLE'S AGWAY 76 North Street Dover-Foxcroft, Maine 04426 YOUR YARD, GARDEN AND 
PET PLACE


1/8 PAGE AD:

MONSON GENERAL STORE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING Phone: 207-997-3964 - Monson, ME


1/8 Page Ad:

DONNA VAINIO REAL ESTATE Main Street - Monson, ME 04464 Phone/Fax: 207-997-3808 
Call For Free Property List

1/8 Page Ad:

APPALACHIAN STATION RESTAURANT HOME COOKED FOODS - 997-3648 ONE Tenney Hill Rd - 
Monson Cindy Turner, Prop.


1/8 Page Ad:

Sargent's Sun Tanning Salon 45 Greenville Rd - Monson, ME 04464 By Appt. Only - 
997-3345 Wolff Tanning Bed - Tanning Supplies

1/8 Page Ad:

Dedicated to the future prosperity and progress of Monson Tisbury Manor Chapter 
National Society Daughters of American Revolution


1/8 Page Ad:

SHEAR MAGIC Cindi Annis, prop. Hair Styling for the entire family. For an 
appointment - call 997-3919


1/8 Page Ad:

Judy Judkins MAINE WILDCRAFTS & UNUSUALS Waterville, ME 04901-4811 
http://www.mint.net/maine.crafts (207) 873-6763


1/8 Page ad:

Compliments of HAMLIN ASSOC. 5 Winter Street - Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 (207) 
564-3300

1/8 Page Ad: SEE CAMERA-READY COPY FOR LOGO: PLUS ADD THE FOLLOWING:

Compliments of PRIDE MANUFACTURING CO.

Pride Golf Tee Co. Pride Manufacturing Co. Pride Sales Agency

1/8 PAGE AD:

PROUTY FORD-CHRYSLER 13-21 Summer Street Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 Tel: 
207-564-3395


1/8 page ad: INCLUDE BUSINESS CARD LOGO AFTER THIS:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOWN OF MONSON


1/8 PAGE AD:

CONGRATULATIONS JUDKINS SHOP N SAVE Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426


1/8 PAGE AD:

MORRELL'S TRUE VALUE Hardware & Lumber "Serving the Monson Area for Over 35 
Years" Greenville, ME Tel: 207-695-2897

1/8 PAGE AD:

HARRIS DRUG STORE "Serving Moosehead Area Since 1896" Greenville, ME 207-695-2921


1/8 PAGE AD: SEE CAMERA-READY COPY ATTACHED:

ROSS REALTY Inc. at Moosehead


1/8 PAGE AD:

695-3352 FRED'S BODY SHOP Sales & Service yamaha*suzuki*princecraft*toro*white N. 
Main St. - Greenville, ME 04441


1/4 PAGE AD'S

NOTE: SEE LOGO FOR THIS AD:

COMPLIMENTS OF (LOGO) BARRETT PAVING MATERIALS INC. PO BOX 530 DOVER-FOXCROFT, ME 
04426 TEL: (207) 564-8444 FAX: (207) 564-7006


COMPLIMENTS OF (LOGO) KEY BANK 1 BANK SQUARE, PO BOX 57 GUILFORD, ME 04443 TEL: 
207 876-3322 FAX: 207 876-4779


COMPLIMENTS OF HARDWOOD PRODUCTS, INC. GUILFORD, ME 04443


1/8 PAGE AD'S:

COMPLIMENTS OF (LOGO) GUILFORD OF MAINE


SEE BUSINESS CARD - USE IF POSSIBLE HUDSON AVENUE FLORIST & GIFTS (Across from 
the Post Office) PO Box 684 - Guilford, Maine 04443 Carol Tufts (207) 876-4143 
Pam Goulette Toll Free 1-800-876-4143

1/8 PAGE AD'S CONTINUED:


COMPLIMENTS OF GUILFORD IGA


HEART'S DESIRE (FTD Logo)Fresh Flowers & Plants Dried & Silk Arrangements 
Balloons - Cards - Gifts - Tuxedo Rentals Delivery to Greenville Offering 
Complete Wedding Packages Visa - Mastercard - American Express Hours: Mon-Fri 
9:00-5:30 - Sat 9:00-3:00 Water Street - Guilford 876-3200 or 800-480-7765


SEE LOGO FOR THIS AD - USE IF POSSIBLE

THE CUTTING BOARD 207-564-8580 DOVER-FOXCROFT, ME 04426

Leenie Ellen Terrie Eunice Amy


NOTE: USE BUSINESS CARD ATTACHED IF POSSIBLE:

DOVER AUTO PARTS, INC. 27 Summer Street Dover-Foxcroft, Maine 04426 207 564-2100, 
564-3353 __________________________ NAPA Auto Parts Main St., Guilford, ME 04443 
207 876-3594

JENNIFER: NOT SURE WHAT SIZE AD GARY WANTED. PLACE IN AD SECTION WHEREVER YOU 
WANT TO!

KELLEY-SMITH PRINTING & PAPER, INC.