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
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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Midcoast 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 Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
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 Wardens 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 535 times since then and 31 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.
