A Brief History of Knox County

When Knox County was incorporated on April 1, 1860, the first county officials were appointed. The following is a list of those appointed:

Knox County was divided into four districts:

1. City of Rockland and Matinicus Plantation
2. Thomaston, South Thomaston, St. George, North Haven and Muscleridge (Mussel Ridge) Plantation
3. Warren, Union, Washington, Friendship, and Cushing
4. Cushing, Vinalhaven, Hope, and Appleton

County offices were leased from Lime Rock Bank (the old bank building situated in Rockland near the first Baptist Meeting House). These offices were occupied by the Registrar of Deeds and the Clerk of Courts and were leased at $90.00 per year.

Waldo County Jail was designated as the Jail for Knox County, as the county did not have a jail at that time.

COUNTY COURTHOUSE
As the years progressed Knox County soon became aware that there was a need for a County Courthouse. In 1867, the county purchased land in hopes of building a jail in the future. The land was purchased for $1,200.00. In 1869, the County Commissioners voted to purchase the homestead lot of the late John Spofford for the purpose of erecting a County Courthouse. The purchase price of this land was $3,500.00.

All the municipalities of the county voted on whether or not to build a courthouse. In 1874, it was estimated that the cost of a county courthouse would be approximately $50,000.00. The voters of this county voted 1,434 to 606 to build a much-needed facility. Bids were received for the construction of the courthouse. The lowest bid received was that of a W.H. Glover and Company. Commissioners voted to accept the bid of $50,524.00. Construction began in 1874 and was completed in March of 1875. The actual cost of the construction of the county building was $61,986.00 after some alterations were made from the original plans. The Commissioners at this time were John David, II., Watson M. Trussell, and Silas Hawes.

Much later in 1975, a bond in the amount of $200,000.00 was issued for an addition to be added to the County Courthouse. Construction and renovations were completed in 1979. The offices that occupy the new addition are District Court on the ground floor (leased by the State of Maine); the Registry of Deeds on the first floor; Superior Court Offices on the second floor;; and Justice Collins' offices on the second floor (leased by the State of Maine). As mandated by state statute part of the Superior Court office space is rent fee. The State of Maine leases additional office space that was granted after January 1, 1976. Justice Bruce Chandler had leased office space in the old law library, located on the third floor of the old section of the courthouse, from June 1, 1986 until August 1991. That space is now vacant.

COUNTY JAIL
In 1892, the County Commissioners opened bids for the purpose of building a county jail. Contract for the iron and steelwork, including patent locking devises went to Pauly Jail Works of Cleveland, Ohio for $6,500.00. Prime contractor for the building itself, including that for the Jailer and his family went to W. H. Glover and Co. for $9,600.00. Seventeen years before, W. H. Glover and Company had built the Courthouse. The Jail opened in late December of 1892 and had a total capacity for detaining fifty-four prisoners. Prior to the construction of the jail, inmates were housed in the basement of the Courthouse where cells had been built in the granite foundation.

In late 1975, $250,000.00 of a major bond issue was earmarked to renovate the jail. After the renovations were completed the jail facility had a total capacity of only fifteen prisoners

In May of 1986, Rod Miller was hired as a consultant to explore the needs of the county jail facility. And in June of that same year a Jail Study Committee was formed to aid in determining whether or not a new facility would have to be built (and where), or if the existing jail could be renovated. In October of 1989, a county building located at 29 High Street was renovated for the purpose of housing female prisoners, because female prisoners were not allowed to be housed in the jail along with male prisoners.

Based on the recommendations of the study committee and the consultant, county commissioners put the question to the voters on November 8, 1988, "Shall the issuance of bonds be authorized in an amount not to exceed $4,900,000 for the construction of a new jail and law enforcement facility in Rockland for Knox County?" The voters of the county voted 10,822 to 6,739 in favor of a new jail/law enforcement facility.

The county purchased a portion of the old Sam Small property [upper Park Street] from the City of Rockland in July, 1989 at a cost of $90,000 for just under 20 acres of land for the purpose of constructing the new jail/law enforcement building. The property is located on upper Park Street in the city. Bids were received for this purpose on October 24, 1989, and the decision to award the construction contract to Bruce Laukka Inc. of Rockport was voted on October 31, 1989, for the amount of $4,008,000. The total cost of the project, and for which a 20-year bond was obtained in June of 1991, totaled $4,900,000. Construction of the new jail/law enforcement building was completed in November 1991. The jail portion of the building was approved by the State Department of Corrections to hold 49 long-term prisoners, nine 48-hour prisoners, and two 4-hour prisoners, for a total capacity of 60. However, the facility was not certified to house juvenile inmates and was required to separate female prisoners from the male population.

After a number of years of unsuccessfully attempting to find a tenant for the old jail and sheriff's residence, the old structure was demolished in the early spring of 1996. Demolition of the unsafe structure began during the winter of 1995. Art Henry Construction of Thomaston was hired by the county to remove the old building. Much of the brick, granite and items throughout the buildings were salvaged prior to the building's destruction and sold to various individuals.

KNOX COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT
On December 4, 1968, the county acquired the airport located in Owls Head from the City of Rockland. The city had been unable to keep up with the costs of maintaining an airport and gave the property to the county. The airport was renamed KNOX COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT. The airport properties were upgraded with federal, state, and county funding. Several airport advisory committees have been used over the years. The airport committee formed in 1987 worked toward the goal of having installed an instrument landing system (ILS). In the summer and fall of 1991, work began on land acquisitions and easements necessary for the installation of the ILS, which would require a runway extension.

In 1985, an Airport Advisory Committee was formed. The goal of the committee and county commissioners was to see that a full Instrument Landing (ILS) could be installed. The Knox County Regional Airport Advisory Committee meets on a regular monthly basis.

Beginning in the year 1992, the county started acquiring properties in Owls Head and South Thomaston in preparation of the instrument landing system (ILS). The former Bergen/Nelson, John and Kelly Taylor, Inez Montgomery, and Dorothy and Elmer Small homes (land and buildings) in Owls Head were procured through eminent domain proceedings. Properties were also purchased in South Thomaston which included properties of John Pierce (house and land) and American Concrete (land). As a Result of Court Order, the home and land of Dennis and Kelli Fullerton was purchased during the year 1996.

The ILS became operational during the summer of 1997, and final closeout of the project is pending. A number of wetland mitigation sites had to be created, which included planting a great deal of vegetation in the area. Ponding at one end of the runway occurred and must be removed before the project can be completed.

The Master Plan Update was completed. The purpose of the master plan is to guide the county airport over the next 20 years for planned development and the future role of the airport. A Planning Advisory Committee (PAC)assisted the airport consultants from the firm of Dufresne-Henry, Inc. of Portland in developing the plan.

KNOX COUNTY AND THE MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN

KNOX COUNTY

Formed from Lincoln and Waldo counties, incorporated April 1, 1860, and named for general Henry Knox, "The friend of Washington", whose residence was in Thomaston., Contains One city, sixteen towns, one organized plantation and one unorganized township. Rockland shire town. Total population according to the 1990 Bureau of the Census: 36,310 - Area 374 square miles.

TOWN OF APPLETON

Sixteen miles northwest of Rockland. Settled about 1775. Thirty miles east from Augusta, incorporated January 28, 1829. 1990 population 1,069.

TOWN OF CAMDEN

Eight miles north of Rockland. Indian name, Megunticook. Originally a part of the Miscongus Grant. First settled by Joseph Richards, May 8, 1769. Original town named in honor of Lord Camden. Town divided and northerly portion incorporated under old name of Camden, February 25, 1891. The name of the southerly part was changed to Rockport on the same date. 1990 population 5,060.

TOWN OF CUSHING

Ten miles southwest of Rockland, incorporated, January 28, 1789. Included St. George. Divided, February 7, 1803 and St. George incorporated. 1990 population 988.

TOWN OF FRIENDSHIP

Sixteen miles southwest of Rockland. Formerly called Meduncook, which signifies Sandy Harbor. Included in the Waldo Patent. Settlement commenced 1743. Incorporated February 25, 1807. 1990 population 1,099.

TOWN OF HOPE

Fourteen miles northwest of Rockland. Originally called Barrettstown, from Charles Barrett of New Ispwich, New Hampshire, the original proprietor. Settled 1782. Incorporated June 23, 1804, and embraced a territory of thirty-three square miles; 1843 a portion was annexed to Appleton. 1990 population 1,017.

TOWN OF ISLE AU HAUT

Taken from Deer Isle, and incorporated February 28, 1874. Comprised of the following islands; Isle au Haut, the Two Spoon Islands, York's Island, Fog Island, Burnt Island, Merchant's Island, Kimball's Island, and all other islands south of Merchant's Row. Taken from Hancock County and annexed to Knox by act of legislature, March 12, 1913. 1990 population 46.

MATINICUS ISLE PLANTATION

Twenty miles south-southwest from Rockland. Includes six islands. Matinicus Isle contains about eight hundred acres; Matinicus Rock, about thirty acres, situated five miles south of Matinicus. Organized, 1840. 1990 population 67.

TOWN OF NORTH HAVEN

Twelve miles east of Rockland. Originally a part of Vinalhaven. Incorporated by the name of Fox Island, June 30, 1846. Name changed July 13, 1847. 1990 population 332.

TOWN OF OWLS HEAD

Four and one-half miles from Rockland. Set off from town of South Thomaston by act of legislature, April 9, 1921, and incorporated July 9, 1921. 1990 population 1,574.

CITY OF ROCKLAND

Shire town of Knox County. Originally a part of Thomaston. Set off and incorporated July 28, 1848, under the name of East Thomaston. Name changed 1850. City government organized June, 1854. 1990 population 7,972.

TOWN OF ROCKPORT

Six miles north of Rockland. Indian name, Megunticook. Originally a part of the Muscongus Grant. First settled by James Richards, May 8, 1769. Original town of Camden, incorporated February 17, 1791; divided February 25, 1891 and the southerly part named Rockport. 1990 Population 2,854.

TOWN OF ST. GEORGE

Eighteen miles south of Rockland. Originally a part of Cushing. Set off and incorporated February 7, 1803. 1990 population 2,261.

TOWN OF SOUTH THOMASTON

Four miles south of Rockland. Indian name, "Wessaweskeag" afterward contracted to "Weskeag" and afterward to "Keag". First settled 1776, by Elisha Snow, from Harpswell, John Matthews, of Plainfield, Connecticut, and Stephen Peabody of Middleton, Massachusetts, who settled at Owls Head. Set off from Thomaston and incorporated July 28, 1848. Owls Head set off by act of legislature, April 9, 1921. 1990 population 1,227.

TOWN OF THOMASTON

Four miles southwest of Rockland. First known as a trading post as early as 1630. Settlement commenced about 1719, but on account of the depredations of the Indians, nothing of a permanent character seems to have been effected until the arrival of Mason Wheaton in 1763. Originally belonged to the Waldo Patent, and embraced, until 1848, Rockland and South Thomaston. Incorporated March 20, 1777. 1990 population 3,306.

TOWN OF UNION

Thirteen miles northwest of Rockland. Formerly included in the Waldo Patent. Settled July 19, 1774 and named Taylor Town, from the purchaser and settle, Dr. John Taylor. Organized as the plantation of Sterlington, May 3, 1786. Incorporated October 20, 1786, and named form the spirit of harmony that prevailed. Parted with a portion of its territory to form Washington in 1811. 1990 population 1,989.

TOWN OF VINALHAVEN

Fifteen miles east of Rockland. First call South Fox Island. Fist permanent settlement 1765. Incorporated June 25, 1789, and named in honor of John Vinal, Esquire of Boston. North Haven set off in 1846. Hurricane Isle (incorporated February 7, 1879, incorporation surrendered; population; - 1870, 600; 1880, 220; 1890, 266; twelve miles east of Rockland) was site of operations in granite begun by General Davis Tillson in 1870. 1990 population 1,072.

TOWN OF WARREN

Nine miles west of Rockland. Formerly known as "Upper Town of St. George". Belonged to Waldo Patent. Known as a trading post as early as 1631. Settled by Scotch form north of Ireland, 1736. Incorporated, November 7, 1776. Area about 30,000 acres. 1990 population 3,192.

TOWN OF WASHINGTON

Twenty-two miles northwest of Rockland. Formerly included in Plymouth and Waldo Patents. Formed from westerly port of Union and adjacent gores, etc. Incorporated under the name of Putnam, February 27, 1811. Name changed January 31, 1823. 1990 population 1,185.

CRIEHAVEN TOWNSHIP

Unorganized Twenty miles south-southeast from Rockland, Formerly called Ragged Island. Contains about three hundred acres. Set off from Matinicus and organized as a plantation March 3, 1897. Organization given up in 1925. Population - 1900, 47; 1920, 46; 1930, 67; 1960, 30; 1970, 0; and 1980, 5.

INCORPORATION OF MAINE COUNTIES

1. Androscoggin 1854
2. Aroostook 1839
3. Cumberland 1760
4. Franklin 1838
5. Hancock 1789
6. Kennebec 1799
7. KNOX 1860
8. Lincoln 1760
9. Oxford 1805
10. Penobscot 1816
11. Piscataquis 1838
12. Sagadahoc 1854
13. Somerset 1809
14. Waldo 1827
15. Washington 1789
16. York 1760

Designed By