Augusta, Maine

History

The area was first explored by members of the ill-fated Popham Colony in September of 1607. It was first inhabited by English settlers from the Plymouth Colony in 1625 as a trading post. Located on the Kennebec River at highest tidal eddy. Around that time it was given the name "Cushnoc" (or "Coussinoc" or "Koussinoc").

Related Topics:
Popham Colony - 1607 - Plymouth Colony - 1625

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The oldest wooden fort in America is located on the Kennebec River in Augusta. The fort was built in 1754 and was called Fort Western.

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The area was incorporated as part of the town called Hallowell in 1771. In February of 1797, the upstream area of Hallowell know as "the Fort" was incorporated as a separate town called Harrington, but the name was changed to "Augusta" in August of that year.

Related Topics:
1771 - 1797

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Augusta was officially designated the state capital in 1827, however, the Maine State Legislature continued to meet in Portland until completion of the new capitol building in 1832. Augusta was chartered as a city in 1849.

Related Topics:
1827 - Portland - 1832 - 1849

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