Dexter> Local town history centennial projects written by students about their communities

This is the 37th in a series of town history centennial projects written by students about their communities in the Bangor Daily News readership area. Students were asked to compile a timeline of important events in the 20th century, to write an essay about what has set their community apart, and to choose a photograph that sums up something important about their community’s history during the century.

By Dexter Middle School seventh-grade social studies pupils Meagan Fogarty, Heather Laferriere, Amy Jamison, Sean Towle, Chris Rabideau, Mitch Sawyer, Sam Bowers, Leslie Woodard, David McIntyre; with teacher Susan Killam

Sitting on the 45th parallel, the town of Dexter was settled by Ebenezer Small and his family in 1800. Once known as Elkinstown, the town was incorporated as Dexter in 1816.

Dexter initially had a lot of industrialization as factories and mills opened. In 1819 Dexter had 22 official subsistence farms, from beekeeping to orchards to wheat and hay, but the town became more productive. In 1820 one of many mills opened. This was the Abbott Woolen Mill. It operated for 155 years and closed in 1975. The facility is owned now by Guilford of Maine Industries and is used for storage.

The FayScott mill opened in 1881, supplying U.S. troops with war supplies, including parts for weapons during World War I and World War II. FayScott still operates as a tool and die machine shop.

In 1965, S.L. Smalls Grist Mill, the last water-powered mill in Dexter, closed. The fabric mill, known as Crown Alexander, closed in 1970, and was torn down in 1974. This mill had been in operation since 1844.

Dexter Shoe Co. was built in 1957 by Harold Alfond. There are now Dexter Shoe companies all over the globe. They have been an important employer for Dexter’s economy. In 1998 Dexter Shoe laid off about 200 people, and there is a plan to close the Milo plant completely as Dexter Shoe looks at consolidating its operations.

As Dexter moves into the new millennium, it will be faced with a shifting population as jobs and businesses change. However, there are many advantages to living in Dexter. For instance, Lake Wassokeag provides summer and winter recreation. The Dexter Municipal Golf Course provides a scenic view and the Abbott Memorial Library has many resources. Dexter also has a local airport. And the town continues to be a close-knit rural community, with easy access to Maine’s larger cities.

TIMELINE

1907 The most destructive fire in the history of Dexter occurs, with seven downtown stores destroyed.

1920 Plummer Hospital opens.

1925 Nancy the Clock,” a clock tower atop the Morrison Memorial Building, is built in downtown Dexter for $850.

1940 Maine Central Railroad station closes.

1946 The government builds Dexter Regional Airport to train World War II pilots.

1957 Dexter Shoe Co. is built by Harold Alfond.

1965 S.L. Smalls Grist Mill, the last water-powered mill in Dexter, closes.

1969 A new Dexter Regional High School opens, three years after the formation of SAD 46, which includes the towns of Garland, Dexter, Exeter and Ripley.

1970 Crown Alexander fabric mill closes.

1972 Mount Kineo Bottle Co. closes.

1975 Dexter Municipal Golf Course opens.

1987 Plummer Hospital closes.

1998 200 people laid off at Dexter Shoe.