World War I Memorial Arch

Farmington Historical Society, Academy Street

The First Congregational Church (above) was built just after the great fire of 1886.  The National Register Application notes that "It ranks as the most distinctive and well-preserved late nineteenth century church edifice in northwestern Maine.  Designed in 1887 in the Romanesque Revival manner, a handsome brick building is the work of George C. Coombs, a leading architect of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century."

FARMINGTON

[FARM-ing-tun] a town in Franklin County and the seat of county government, incorporated on February 1, 1794 from Sandy River Plantation.  It later annexed land from Industry in 1850 and from Strong in 1853.

From its initial development as a trading center in the late 18th century, the village experienced rapid growth through the period of the Civil War, largely because of its designation as the shire town of Franklin County, establishment of a few manufacturers, and founding of several educational institutions.

Settled in 1776 and truly a "farming town" for many years, its original population centered around Farmington Falls Village, located five miles south of the current main village.  This "Center Village" had only four structures by 1800, but added at meetinghouse serving several denominations in 1803, and formally opened the Farmington Academy on January 1, 1812.  

The period 1840-1850 was one of towns most rapid growth.  While growth, though uneven, continued through the end of the century, the Civil War "robbed the own of the lives of no less than fifty men in the prime of life, as well as the fruits of the industry of four times that number, for more than a third of a decade." (Butler, p. 252.)

The worst fire in the town's history virtually wiped out the main village on October 22, 1886, leveling 33 houses, 19 stores, 3 churches, 2 hotels, the county jail, and the post office, among others.  Much had been rebuilt within the next two years.

Farmington now boasts a highly rated small college: the University of Maine branch at Farmington.  The college was originally the Farmington State Normal School, established in 1864.

University of Maine Farmington: Merrill Hall and Mantor Library

The town is also a gateway to the Rangeley Lakes region and to the Sugarloaf ski area.

View West from Route 27 in Farmington

Farmington is the birthplace, in 1857, of internationally renowned vocalist Lillian Nordica and the home of inventor Chester Greenwood.  As may be seen from the list below, the town has more than its share of historic sites.

Additional resources

Butler, Francis Gould.  A History of Farmington, Maine 1776-1885. Farmington: Knowlton, McLeary and Company. 1885.
Mallett, Richard P. The Last 100 Years: A Glimpse of the Farmington We Have Known. Farmington. 1991.
Richard, Debra J.  Farmington Historic Resources Inventory. Augusta: Maine Historic Preservation Commission. 1980.
United States Department of the Interior, Farmington Historic District Application for the National Register of Historic Places. (Courtesy of Janet Roberts; on file at the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

National Register of Historic Places - Listings

Abbott, Jacob, House 11/26/73, Maine Route 27 (reportedly destroyed in 2001 to make way for an office building)
Farmington Historic District 1/20/95, roughly bounded by High, Academy, Anson and Grove Streets 
First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ 7/25/74, Main Street
Free Will Baptist Meetinghouse 8/28/73, Main Street 
Greenacre 10/29/82, 17 Court Street 
Greenwood, Chester, House 7/12/78, Maine Route 27 
Little Red Schoolhouse 2/23/72, south of West Farmington on Wilton Road  West Farmington
Merrill Hall 1/23/80, Maine and Academy Streets 
Nordica Homestead 12/23/69, north of Farmington on Holly Road off Maine Route 27 
Old Union Meetinghouse 10/30/73, U.S. 2 
Ramsdell, Hiram, House 12/4/73, High and Perham Streets 
Tufts House 5/8/79, southeast of Farmington on U.S. 2 

Cutler Memorial Library 11/2/73, Academy and High Streets, was erected with granite from North Jay between 1901 and 1903 in the Beaux-Arts classical style. Designed by William R. Miller, it was given in memory of the Hon. Nathan Cutler by his son Isaac.

Franklin County Courthouse 10/6/83, Main and Anson Streets, was built in 1885 and survived the fire of the following year.  The Romanesque Revival/Queen Anne block is also the work of George Coombs.  The annex, built in 1917, was designed by his son, Harry S. Coombs.