Window Cleaning & Exterior Services in Thomaston, Maine

History of Thomaston, Maine

Thomaston is a historic town in Knox County, Maine, situated along the St. George River. The area was originally part of a larger tract known as the Waldo Patent and was settled in the mid-1600s, though permanent settlement did not take hold until the mid-1700s. The town was incorporated on March 20, 1777, and was named after General John Thomas, a Continental Army officer who served during the American Revolution. Thomaston quickly grew into one of the most important towns in the midcoast region.

The town is perhaps best known as the home of General Henry Knox, who served as Chief Artillery Officer during the Revolutionary War and later became the first United States Secretary of War under President George Washington. Knox built a grand mansion called Montpelier in Thomaston in the 1790s, and though the original structure was demolished in 1871, a detailed replica was constructed in 1930 and stands today as a museum. The lime and cement industries were central to the economy of Thomaston during the 19th century, with massive kilns burning limestone into lime that was shipped throughout the Eastern Seaboard.

The Maine State Prison was located in Thomaston from 1824 until 2002, when it was relocated to Warren. The prison and its associated industries, including the well-known prison store that sold handcrafted goods made by inmates, were a defining feature of the town for nearly 180 years. Today Thomaston is a charming residential community with a well-preserved Main Street, historic homes, and a growing arts and cultural scene.