History of Island Falls, Maine
From
A Gazetteer of the
State of Maine
By Geo. J. Varney
Published by B. B. Russell, 57 Cornhill,
Boston 1886
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Island Falls is a town in Aroostook County, 27 miles
south-west of Houlton, on the stage road from that place to Patten. Dyer Brook Plantation bounds it on the north,
and Crystal Plantation on the west. The form of the town is a square, and the area 22,040 acres. Maple, beech,
birch, hemlock, spruce, fir, pine, cedar and juniper are abundant. The prevailing rock is of a granitic nature.
The soil is chiefly alluvial, with some rich intervals. Wheat, oats and potatoes are the crops principally cultivated.
The most notable elevation is a precipitous mass of rock known as "Granite Bluff." On the eastern border
of the town are Mattawamkeag Lake-8 miles long and 4 wide; and Pleasant Lake, of about one half this size. Smaller
Caribou Lake is on the southern border. The streams are Mattawamkeag River, Fish Stream, Dyer, Sly and Alder brooks,
tributary to the river, which empties into Mattawamkeag Lake. The longest bridge yet built in the town is 200 feet;
the roads are very good. The powers are on the west branch of the river, and on Cold and Dyer brooks. The two first
are improved. In all, there are three mills for the manufacture of long and short lumber, and two grist mills.
Corn brooms are also manufactured and the town has a stone cutter, a boat-builder, and a painter. There is a circulating
library of 150 volumes. |
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