History
A Brief History of Industry, Maine
The Town of Industry, located in Franklin County, Maine, was officially incorporated on June 20, 1803. Surrounded by mountains, forests, ponds, and waterfalls, the town has long been recognized for both its scenic landscape and strong community roots. From its beginnings as Industry Plantation to the close-knit town it is today, Industry’s history reflects generations of growth, resilience, and connection to the land.
Historical Timeline
Key moments in the developement and growth of the Town of Industry.
1799 – Organized as Industry Plantation — Established together with the “River Settlement,” now known as Mercer.
1800 – Early Settlement Recorded — Residents were enumerated in “Plymouth Gore adjoining Sandy River.”
1803 – Town Incorporated on June 20, 1803. Residents later gathered for the town’s first formal meeting on October 20, 1803.
1813 – Land annexed from New Sharon.
1815 – New Vineyard Gore annexed.
1822 – Land Transferred to Starks — Part of the Lowell Strip was set off to Starks.
1823 – Land annexed from Anson.
1838 – Established in Franklin County — Industry became part of Franklin County.
1844 – Additional land added from New Vineyard.
1850 – Land Set Off to Farmington — The western portion of New Vineyard Gore became part of Farmington.
1852 – Land set off to New Sharon.
Incorporated
June 20, 1803
County
Franklin County, Maine
Population
929 (2010 Census)
Area
30.98 Square Miles
The Landscape of Industry
Industry encompasses approximately 21,000 acres, including the 2,000-acre Clearwater Pond. The town is bordered by the New Vineyard Mountains and is home to forests rich with maples and pines, spring-fed waters, and scenic natural landmarks.
Among its notable features are the 75-foot Rainbow Cascade, Bannock Mountain, Boardman Mountain, and the meadows and woodlands that continue to define the area’s rural character and natural beauty.
Preserving Industry’s Heritage
Industry, Maine Old Grange Hall
Industry, Maine Old Grange Hall
Today, the Town of Industry continues to honor its historical roots while preserving the natural beauty and community spirit that have defined the area for generations.
Further Information
Thompson’s Bridge
A Historic Landmark in Industry, Maine
Built around 1808, Thompson’s Bridge is one of the oldest surviving structures in the Town of Industry and one of only a few remaining stone lintel bridges in Maine. Located in the Allen’s Mills section of town, the bridge carries a historic dirt roadway over Josiah Creek and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Constructed using locally gathered fieldstone and large granite slabs, the bridge reflects the craftsmanship and infrastructure of Industry’s early settlement period. The nearby road was likely established shortly after settler John Thompson built a home and grist mill in the area in 1805.
Thompson’s Bridge
Thompson’s Bridge, located in the Allen’s Mills section of Industry.
