Bucksport in Hancock County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Site of the First Sawmill
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2008
1. Site of the First Sawmill Marker
At this site and adjacent to Mill Stream is the location of the first sawmill built in 1764 by Jonathan Buck. The mill provided boards, staves, shingles and clapboards needed by the settlers as well as for sale in Boston and more distant ports. The mill was powered by water flowing through Mill Stream including three dams that were constructed and extended from the mill to Mill Pond or Silver Lake as it is called today. The mill quickly became surrounded with new development that included numerous homes, barns, a tannery, a trading house, a smoke house for fish, and a blacksmith shop. In 1770-71 the 60-ton schooner Hannah was built, the first of many vessels to be built in Bucksport shipyards, using wood from the mill.
Erected by Bucksport High School Class of 1953.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1764.
Location. 44° 34.252′ N, 68° 47.34′ W. Marker is in Bucksport, Maine, in Hancock County. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Street (Maine Route 15)
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Downeast Maine and on Penobscot Bay. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France and also Acadia.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jonathan Bucks Sawmill (here, next to this marker); A Maritime Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots (within shouting distance of this marker); To Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); Buck Memorial Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Panαwahpskek, The Penobscot Homeland (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waldo-Hancock Bridge
2. Site of the First Sawmill Marker
Also see . . .
1. Jonathan Buck. Wikipedia entry:
Jonathan Buck was the founder of the town of Bucksport, having settled what was known as Plantation 1, building the first sawmill and opening the first general store. (Submitted on April 19, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Legends of Jonathan Buck. Buckport Bicentennial PDF:
In July of 1762, Buck sailed up the Penobscot River to survey six plantations which have since been designated Bucksport, Orland, Penobscot (Castine), Sedgwick, Blue Hill and Surry. Buck made another trip to the Plantations in 1763, and in 1764 began construction of the first settlement on Plantation No. 1, the present town of Bucksport. Buck joined the disastrous expedition to Castine and siege of Fort George in July of 1779. Five years later he returned to Plantation No. 1 and rebuilt everything that had been destroyed by the British in 1779. Buck and his sons were leaders of the community, and in 1792 Plantation No. 1 was renamed Buckstown in Col. Jonathans honor. (Submitted on April 19, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 771 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
