Augusta in Kennebec County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Market Square / La place du Marché

Augusta, Maine

— The Museum in the Streets® —

Market Square / La place du Marché Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

1. Market Square / La place du Marché Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Market Square was an early civic and commercial center for the community. Bordering the Square were Pollard's Tavern and the first Meeting House, built in 1782. In 1816, hard times prompted "Ohio Fever" and the square was a rallying point for emigrants heading west. Covered wagons lingered for days as their owners readied for the journey by buying supplies and exchanging money. In 1906, the Baker family of Augusta gave the water fountain in honor of Orville Dewey Baker, noted attorney and orator. Baker served two terms as Maine's Attorney General. The advent of the automobile on Water Street in the early 20th century necessitated that Market Square be turned from a civic space to a thoroughfare for traffic, as it remains today.

Market Square, la place du Marché, devint très vite un centre civique et commercial pour la communauté. La taverne Pollard et la première église, construite en 1782, donnaient sur cette place. En 1816, une période difficile fil naître la « Fièvre de l'Ohio » et la place devint le lieu de rendez-zous des émigrés qui partaient vers l'ouest. Des diligences y passaient des

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journées entières lorsque leurs propriétaires se préparaient au voyage en achetant des provisions et ne échangeant de l'argent. En 1906, la famille Baker d'Augusta offrit une fontaine en l'honneur d'Orville Dewey Baker, un avocat et orateur célèbre élu pour deux mandats comme procureur général de l'État du Maine. L'arrivée de l'automobile dans la rue Water au début du vingtième siècle fit perdre à la place du Marché son rôle civique et la transforma en chaussée publique, comme c'est encore le cas aujourd'hui.

Erected by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 15.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Augusta, Maine series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1782.

Location. 44° 18.891′ N, 69° 46.457′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Maine, in Kennebec County. Marker is at the intersection of Water Street and Winthrop Street/Front Street, on the right when traveling north on Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 287 Water Street, Augusta ME 04330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Augusta's Publishing Empire / L'empire de l'édition à Augusta (a few steps

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

2. Market Square / La place du Marché Marker

Looking south along Water Street, with what remains of Market Square diagonally across the street

from this marker); Granite Block / Un Bâtiment en granit (within shouting distance of this marker); Flag Protest ~ War of 1812 / Drapeau en berne - Guerre de 1812 (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Post Office / La Poste des Etats-Unis (within shouting distance of this marker); Steamboat Landing / L'embarquement des bateaux à vapeur (within shouting distance of this marker); They Were Superior Buildings / Des bâtiments pittoresques (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Fire / Le Grand incendie (within shouting distance of this marker); Cornerstone Day / La pose des premières pierres (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Also see . . .
1. Market Square, Augusta, ca. 1900. (Submitted on December 5, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Site on Augusta’s Market Square gets face-lift (2014). (Submitted on December 5, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. The Museum in the Streets Tour Map, Augusta, Maine. (Submitted on December 5, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Market Square Fountain Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

3. Market Square Fountain Marker

Market Square Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

4. Market Square Fountain

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on December 6, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.