Thomaston Historical Timeline
1605
Capt. Geo. Waymouth explores and names the St. Georges River
1630
To trade with Indians native to area post built near Wadsworth St. Bridge
1692
St. Georges River is boundary between the French and English territories
1719
Two blockhouses built at foot of Knox Street as first settlement known as Lincoln
1734
1st lime kiln built
1754
1st log schoolhouse on Bank between Knox and Wadsworth Streets
1762
Oliver Robbins builds 1st wood framed dwelling
1763
Mason Wheaton arrives with new settlers. Becomes a leader in the early development of Thomaston
1776
War of Independence begins
1777
Town of Thomaston incorporated
1787
First recorded vessel built in Thomaston by Capt. Elisha Snow for lime transport
1795
Maj.-Gen. Henry Knox, 1st Secretary of War, settles at his estate, “Montpelier”
1st Post Office est., at Mill River
1796
Congregational Mtg. House built on High St.
1800
1st Social Library est.
1803
Thomaston Mall est.
1805
1st Thomaston Free Masonry Lodge est.
1812
Commitee [sic] of Safety est. for War of 1812
1818
St. Georges River toll bridge built on Wadsworth St., eliminating ferry
1820
Maine separates from Massachusetts, becomes Free State as part of Missouri Compromise
1824
Maine State Prison built in Thomaston
1825
Thomaston Bank est.
Thomaston Register, 1st newspaper
1827
Smallpox Hospital built on Simonton Point
First Fire Co. inc.
1828
Original Knox Hotel built
First sidewalks built of yellow pine
Mall is ploughed, leveled and bordered with elms
1836
Elm Grove Cemetery incorporated
U.S. Senator John Ruggles granted Patent No.1
1838
U.S. Representative Jonathan Cilley killed in duel
1839
Navigational beacon placed at Great Bend in the River
1847
Significant expansion of shipyards occurs along the waterfront
1848
Thomaston Academy est.
Thomaston votes to devide [sic] into three towns
Thomaston, S. Thomaston and E. Thomaston (Rockland)
1st telegraph communication est.
1851
A block of Thomaston Black Marble sent for Washington Monument inscribed “From the home of Knox by Citizens of Thomaston Maine”
1852
Carr & O’Brien Block built at upper corner of Main and Wadsworth
Georges Bank incorp. with capital of $50,000
1860
Knox County incorp. from a division of Lincoln County
1861-1865
Civil War; J.P. Crilley forms Company B of 1st Maine Calvary [sic], 329 enlist from Thomaston area
1865
History of Thomaston by Cyrus Eaton, published
1870
Thomaston becomes major shipbuilder for world trade, launching more than 670 wooden ships between 1784 & 1921
1871
Montpelier razed for Knox and Lincoln Railroad
1880
Town is one of the wealthiest in the nation due to shipbuilding and world commerce
1890
Capt. Samuel Watts presents Watts Hall to community
1903
Washington B. Thomas, is largest schooner built in Thomaston, 2693 tons
1915
Watts Hall rebuilt after fire
1917
World War 1 mine sweepers built in Thomaston
1920
Edna Hoyt, last five masted schooner built in U.S.
1923
Maine State Prison burns to ground
1926
Dragon Cement plant built
1930
Montpelier reconstructed on High Street
1937
Reine Marie Stewart, last of the old Thomaston ships, towed away
1941-1945
Mine sweepers constructed for WWII effort
1954
USS Thomaston LSD-28 commissioned as first of eight “Thomaston Class” of ships
1961
Town purchases property for public landing
1974
Thomaston Historical Society opens Knox Farmhouse
1975
USS Elliot DD967 christened for Thomaston resident and hero, LCDR. Arthur James Elliot
1977
Town Bicentennial Time Capsule buried in Mall
1985
US Postal stamp honors Gen. Henry Knox
2000
Mayo Park est. at Town Landing
2002
Maine State Prison razed
Museum in Streets est.
2005
Town purchases state prison site
Marker is on Main Street (U.S. 1) near Knox Street, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
