Sanford in York County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

"The Town That Refused to Die"

Sanford, Maine

Photographed by Conrad Ward, December 29, 2024

1. "The Town That Refused to Die" Marker

Inscription. Chamber of Commerce

To honor those who founded
the Sanford–Springvale
Chamber of Commerce
on January 11, 1953

“The Town That Refused to Die”

(right plaque)
Sanford, Maine
"The Town That Refused to Die!"
For over 80 years, Goodall-Sanford Inc.- was one of the world's leading textile companies. The mills originally manufactured carriage blankets, eventually expanding to other fabrics. By the early 50's, Goodall-Sanford employed nearly a third of Sanford's residents and 2 million square feet of floor space with a $15 million annual payroll. But in 1954, they lost their textile business to Burlington Mills who began moving the operation south. In the fall of that year, the mills closed and 3600 workers lost their jobs overnight with a loss of 13 million in payroll.

The newly-formed Chamber of Commerce began using advertising campaigns and traveling throughout the northeast, enticing manufacturing companies to fill the abandoned mills. By 1957, they attracted 16 new businesses and restored 2500 jobs. NBC's Armstrong Circle Theatre dramatized Sanford's remarkable comeback on television in "The Town that Refused

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

to Die", and story was featured in Life and Pageant Magazine.

That same innovative spirit lives on today in the character of Sanford-Springvale. The work ethic and skills passed down from generations, along with the dedicated work of the Chamber and other City leaders, continues to promote economic development.

(left plaque)
Original Founders 1953–54 Hermon Ackroyd • Lamby Adams • Edwin M Ballenger • Lloyd W Batchelder • Carl J Broggi • Leonard W Bucklin • Harold E Carpenter • Andre G Chabot • George W Clark • Chas W Diggery • Leroy A Donnelly • Rodney G Folsom • Reginald R Frechette • Fred A Garnsey, Jr. • Romeo J Gendron • Gerard R Genest • Earl W Glidden • Henry L Goodloe • Roger R Gosselin • J. Walter Guptil • C Scott Hoar • Clifford Holdsworth • Rudolph B Johnson, Sr. • John P Kostis • Carl J Lamb • Henry P Landers • C. Thomas Lefler • Raymond J Letourneau • Bryce O Libby • Ralph M Lovell • H. Allen Mapes • F Everett Nutter • John B Nutter • Robt. G Pelletier • Victor Remy • Wm. E Roberts • H. Danforth Ross • Ralph W Smith • Hyman Snider • Neil V Sullivan • Arthur J Therrien • Rosario J Tremblay • Robert M Wilson • Wm.

Photographed by Conrad Ward, December 29, 2024

2. "The Town That Refused to Die" Marker

(right plaque)

F Wright, Jr.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is January 11, 1953.

Location. 43° 26.488′ N, 70° 46.422′ W. Marker is in Sanford, Maine, in York County. It is at the intersection of River Street and High Street, on the right when traveling south on River Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sanford ME 04073, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 distance of this marker: North Parish Congregational Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Shapleigh Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Leavitt Theatre/ Capital Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sanford Maine War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sanford Maine War Memorial Flagpole (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sanford Maine Thomas Goodall Memorial

Photographed by Conrad Ward, December 29, 2024

3. "The Town That Refused to Die" Marker

(left plaque)

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Unitarian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sanford.

Also see . . .
1. City of Sanford, Maine. (Submitted on June 26, 2025, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Sanford, Maine (Wikipedia). (Submitted on June 26, 2025, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Conrad Ward, December 29, 2024

4. "The Town That Refused to Die" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.