Early Industry
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Les Débuts de L'Industrie

Lewiston, Maine

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The Museum in the Streets

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Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2021

1. Early Industry / Les Débuts de L'Industrie Marker

Lewiston's industry began with the Harris sawmill beside the falls. In 1809, Josiah Little's family built a large wooden building for saw, grist, and fulling mills under one roof. When the mill burned in 1829, the Littles built a larger one. They also diversified to include a shingle machine and satinet manufacturing. In 1836, the Lewiston Falls Manufacturing Company engaged in cotton textile manufacturing, and in 1845, after a period of reorganization, built the Lincoln Mill. The new Lewiston Falls Cotton Company sought outside investment from Boston. The local entrepreneurs, the existing mills' success, the new railroad, the falls, and the potential to construct canals impressed Benjamin Bates and other investors. Simultaneously, the Bearce Lumber Mill operated above the falls.

L'industrialisation de Lewiston commence avec l'indstallation de la scierie Harris au bord des chutes. En 1809, la famille de Josiah Little construit un vaste bâiment de bois qui réunit sous un même toit une scierie, un moulin à grains et un moulin à foulon. Lorsque le bâtiment brûle en 1829, les Little en rebâtissent un plus vaste

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et diversifient leur production en fabriquant de la satinette et des bardeaux. En 1836, c'est au tour d'une usine textile, la Lewiston Falls Manufacturing Company d'ouvrir ses portes. En 1845, après un plan de restructuration, elle construit le Moulin Lincoln. La nouvelle Lewiston Falls Cotton Company cherche des investisseurs de Boston. La présence d'entrepreneurs locaux, la bonne santé des usines en place, la nouvelle voie ferrée, les chutes et la possibilité de construire des canaux impressionnent Benjamin Bates ainsi que d'autres investisseurs. Au même moment, la scierie Bearce s'installe en amont des chutes.
 
Erected 2019 by The Museum in the Streets. (Marker Number L1.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets: Auburn-Lewiston, Maine series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1809.
 
Location. 44° 5.834′ N, 70° 13.275′ W. Marker is in Lewiston, Maine, in Androscoggin County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Route 202) and Lincoln

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2021

2. Early Industry / Les Débuts de L'Industrie Marker

Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38 Main St, Lewiston ME 04240, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Androscoggin Gem (a few steps from this marker); Victoria (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial Park (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial Park / Le Parc des Vétérans (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard E. White (within shouting distance of this marker); Naval Air Station Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Star Families Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewiston.

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.