History of Oxford, 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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Oxford is the south-eastern town of the eastern expanse
of Oxford County. Paris joins it on the north, Hebron on the north-east, Norway on the north-west, Poland, in Androscoggin
County, on the south-east, and Otisfield, in Cumberland County, on the south-west. The town is quite hilly, but
the eminences are not of great height. Horse Hill, in the north-western part, is the only one that bears a name
on the town map. Pigeon Hill, in the south-eastern part, refers to a locality rather than an eminence. The Little
Androscoggin River runs through the town from the north-west to south-east. On the way it receives the waters of
Thompson, Whitney and Hogan ponds, all lying in the southern part of the town. The first is 8 miles in length by
1½ in width, and the others are each near 2 miles in length and ½ in width. Matthews Pond, with its
outlet and its principal feeder form the dividing line between this town and Hebron. The Grand Trunk Railway passes
through the midst of the town, in the same general line with the river, and has a station (Oxford Depot) a short
distance south of the centre. The chief centres of business are Welchville and Oxford Village, both of which have
post-offices. At the latter, situated at the outlet of Thompson Pond, are a stave-mill, a flour-mill and the woolenmills
of the Robinson Manufacturing Co., (having three buildings and nine sets of machinery, and employing 150 operatives)
and a shovelhandle factory, employing 10 men. At Welchville, on the Little Androscoggin, are the woolen-mill of
the Harper Manufacturing Co., having four sets of machinery, and employing 50 persons; and the mill of the Monsam
Manufacturing Co., making leather board, and employing 15 men. Granite shows itself frequently about the elevated
ground. The soil varies from light to heavy in the proportion of about one to two, and is generally productive,
though thore is considerable plains land which has not been found of much value. Birch, maple, beech and oak constitute
the forests. Hay is the largest crop, and a due number of cattle are raised. Both the villages and rural districts
have the indications of thriftiness, and afford many pleasant scenes to the eye of the traveller. |
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