Thomaston in Knox County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Maine State Prison
Photographed By Erik Christeson, PGP NSGW
1. Maine State Prison Marker
New prison dedicated September 11, 1924
Percival Proctor Baxter
Governor 1921 – 1924
Henry H. Hastings, Bethel • Frank H. Hargraves, Buxton
Charles S. Highborn, Augusta
Prison Commissioners
Lester D. Eaton, Warden • Laurence J. Colgan, Deputy Warden
Percy J. Clifford, Chaplain
History
1822 – Legislative resolve creating committee “for the purpose of collecting information and investigating the subject of the punishment of convicts, and the establishment of a state prison or penitentiary.” 1823 – Legislative act providing “that a state prison be erected and established in the town of Thomaston.” 1824 – Building with fifty cells. 1828 - Twenty cells added.
1843 – Completely remodeled. 1850 – Largely destroyed by fire. 1851 – New main building. 1854 - Stone wall around yard.
1916 – East wing partially completed with sixty-six cells. 1921 – Boiler house, blacksmith shop, kitchen and east wing building completed with thirty cells. 1923 – All buildings destroyed by fire, except east wing, boiler house and kitchen. 1924 – Prison rebuilt with fireproof construction enlarged and modernized; new buildings being administration with chapel and women’s quarters, west wing with sixty-two cells workshops and
this page online
“I was sick and in prison and ye visited me”
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.
Location. 44° 4.583′ N, 69° 11.483′ W. Marker is in Thomaston, Maine, in Knox County. Marker can be reached from Wadsworth Street, 0.1 miles south of Main Street (U.S. 1). The marker is on a preserved section of the prison wall in the SE corner of what is now a park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Thomaston ME 04861, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Former State Prison Site (here, next to this marker); Near the Old Prison / À Coté de l'Ancienne Prison (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Voyage of Captain George Waymouth (approx. ¼ mile away); Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Thomaston Historical Timeline (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Builders, the Captains and the Seamen of Thomaston Ships (approx. half a mile away); Thomaston, Maine (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomaston.
Photographed By Erik Christeson, PGP NSGW
2. Auxiliary Marker
Closed February 11, 2002
In the decades following 1923 many improvements and additions were made including a new, Commissary, Segregation Unit, Chapel, Gymnasium, and Deputy Warden’s Office
In 1992 the Segregation Unit closed and a new “Super Max” facility opened in the neighboring town of Warren.
On February 11, 2002, the Maine State Prison at Thomaston closed and 400 prisoners moved to a new 900 bed, maximum security facility in Warren, Maine.
On March 21, 2002, demolition began and after 178 years the old prison became part of Maine history.
“Leadership and Respect Prevailed”
Angus S. King, Jr., Governor
State of Maine
1995 – 2003
Martin A. Magnusson, Commissioner
Department of Corrections
Jeffrey D. Merrill, Warden
Maine State Prison
Photographed By Erik Christeson, PGP NSGW
3. Maine State Prison Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 23, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
