Home > Oakland, Maine
Oakland, Maine is said by residents to be the gateway to the Belgrade Lakes Region . The town of Oakland, population 5,959 ( Census 2000 ), is located in northern Kennebec County, four miles (6 km) west of Waterville and approximately eighteen miles (29 km) north of Augusta, the state capital. The town boasts four major waterways: McGrath Pond , Salmon Lake , East Pond , and Messalonskee Lake and Stream . These waterways have played a major role in the history of the town.The roughly 26 square miles (67 kmē) that comprise Oakland were first settled by colonists of English descent who came from Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the latter half of the 1700s. At that time the area was known as Taconnet , which is derived from one of the four tribes of Native Americans who first occupied this region. The area was incorporated as Winslow in 1771. In 1872, the area west of the Kennebec effected a peaceful secessionSecession is the act of withdrawing from an organization or union, used particularly in the case of the Southern states of the United States seceding prior to the American Civil War. A "reverse" secession of sorts happened at this time when the northweste and incorporated as Waterville. In 1873Events The United Kingdom declares war against Ghana's King Kofi KariKari, who was involved in the trading of slaves. The war ended by July and the British established the Gold Coast Colony. January 17 Indian Wars: First Battle of the Stronghold during th, the manufacturers in the western section, who had created a separate center of activity and trade and were unhappy about taxA tax is an involuntary fee paid by individuals or businesses to a government. Taxes may be paid in cash or kind (although payments in kind may not always be allowed or classified as taxes in all systems). The means of taxation, and the uses to which theation, incorporated as West Waterville. In 1883Events January January 16 The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, establishing the United States Civil service, is passed January 19 The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires begins service ( Roselle, New Jersey) It was built by Thomas E, the residents voted to rename their town Oakland.
Manufacturers long have been drawn to Oakland because of the water power provided by Messalonskee Stream. Oakland once was known as the axeAn axe is a tool with a metal blade fastened to a handle at 90 degrees, commonly used to split wood. Axe is the name of two rivers in the South of England. See: River Axe, Devon, River Axe, Somerset Colloquially, axe is a general name for an electric guit and scytheA scythe is an agricultural tool for mowing and reaping. In the developed world, it has now largely been replaced by motorized lawnmowers and combine harvesters. It still proves to be indispensable for farmers in third world countries and in mountainous t producing capital of New England. With changing technology, newer industries such as the Cascade Woolen Mill replaced the agricultural equipment industry. In recent times, Oakland has witnessed another change in its industrial base. Older industries have closed, making way for new companies such as Valley Distributors, Industrial Metal Recycling, and Wrabacon, Inc.
Oakland lies within easy commuting distance to jobs and services in the Waterville and Augusta region. The completion of I-95 in the 1960s increased Oakland's relationship with the Augusta area, and to some extent the Greater Portland and Bangor areas. The Kennebec Regional Development Authority , a consortium of 24 towns in the Kennebes county area, is currently developing a high technology center next to Interstate 95 in Oakland with the help of state and federal funds. First Park is expected to become Maine's premier technology and business park.
(Bulk of text taken from the Oakland, Maine website)
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