Editing Charleston, Maine (section)

==History==

Charleston was first settled as early as 1795 by Charles Vaughan. The land was granted on July 14, 1802, by the [[Massachusetts General Court]] to John Lowell. Known as T2 R5 NWP, or Township 2, Range 4, North of the [[Waldo Patent]], it was incorporated on February 16, 1811, as New Charlestown, to distinguish it from [[Charlestown, Massachusetts]], when that state included the province of Maine. But in 1820, Maine achieved statehood, so any confusion between the two ceased. Consequently, in 1827 the name was shortened to Charleston.

[[Sawmill]]s were established to operate by [[water power]] at the streams. But Charleston was primarily an [[agricultural]] town. Its large farms were noted for raising [[horse]]s and [[cattle]]. In 1837, the Higgins Classical Institute was founded. By 1870, the community had a population of 1,191. Between 1901 and 1930, the [[Bangor Railway & Electric Company]] operated [[Tram|trolleys]] on an [[electric railway]] between Bangor and Charleston.

In late 1950, construction began on the [[Charleston Air Force Station]], part of the [[Aerospace Defense Command]]. Known as Bull Hill for its location in the town, the station was completed in early 1951, and fully staffed and operational in 1952. After the base closed, it was transformed into the Charleston Correctional Facility, which opened in 1980.