Topsham, Maine

Topsham is a town in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States. Its population was 9,560 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. Topsham is where the Topsham Fair happens every year.

Town
Location of Topsham, Maine
Coordinates: 43°52′18″N 69°51′32″W
Country	United States
State	Maine
County	Sagadahoc
Incorporated	January 31, 1764
Area
• Total	35.59 sq mi (92.18 km2)
• Land	32.18 sq mi (83.34 km2)
• Water	3.41 sq mi (8.84 km2)
Elevation	112 ft (34 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,560
• Density	297.1/sq mi (114.7/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST)
• Summer (DST)	EDT
Zip Code	04086
Website	www.topshammaine.com

History

The Pejepscot Abenaki Indians, a sub-tribe of the Anasagunticooks (now Androscoggins), used to own the land that is now Topsham. They called the this area "Sawacook." The Pejepscot Abenaki controlled the Androscoggin River. They lived and fished at Pejepscot Falls. But a plague, probably smallpox brought by Europeans, killed most of the tribe's population in 1615-1616.

On June 16, 1632, the Plymouth Council gave some land that had once belonged to the Abenaki to Thomas Purchase and George Way. The land was later given to Richard Wharton, and then in 1714 it was given to the Pejepscot Company.

The first sawmill there was built in 1716 on the Cathance River.

In 1717 the area got its current name, Topsham. It is named after the town of Topsham in Devon, England. On January 31, 1764, Topsham was incorporated as a town by the Massachusetts General Court.

Shipbuilding and lumber mills were important early businesses in Topsham. Pejepscot Falls provided the power to support industry. Lumber mills were very active between 1750 and 1770. Factories later produced things like lumber, watches, doors and pottery.

Topsham and Brunswick were connected with the Underground Railroad during the years of slavery. There were safe houses and underground tunnels to hide escaped slaves in both towns.

The Brunswick and Topsham Water District was incorporated in 1903.

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  Pejepscot Falls in 1869

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  Town view c. 1875

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  Paper mills c. 1912

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.59 square miles (92.18 km²), of which 32.18 square miles (83.34 km²) is land and 3.41 square miles (8.84 km²) is water. The Androscoggin River, the Cathance River and the Muddy River drain Topsham. These rivers empty into Merrymeeting Bay, an inland delta. Merrymeeting Bay is located to the northeast of Topsham.

Interstate 295, U.S. Route 201, and state routes 24 and 196 all go through Topsham.

Topsham borders the towns of Bowdoin and Bowdoinham to the north, Brunswick to the south, and Durham and Lisbon to the northwest.

Demographics

As of the census of 2020, there were 9,560 people, 4,138 households, and 2,679 families residing in the town. The population density was 297.1 inhabitants per square mile (114.7/km²). There were 4,413 housing units at an average density of 137.1 per square mile (52.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.3% White, 0.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

Education

Public schools in the area are operated by Regional School Unit (RSU) 75. There are two elementary schools, Williams-Cone School and Woodside Elementary. The middle school is Mt. Ararat Middle School, and the high school is Mt. Ararat High School.

Sites of interest

• Androscoggin Pedestrian Swinging Bridge
• Bradley Pond Farm Preserve Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
• Cathance River Nature Preserve Archived 2008-05-13 at the Wayback Machine
• Pejepscot Paper Company Mill (1868)
• Topsham Fair

Notable people

• Douglas C. Bennett, President Emeritus of Earlham College
• William A. Ellis, former member of the Wisconsin Senate, was born in Topsham
• Frank Glazer, pianist, composer and professor of music
• Elijah Kellogg, minister, lecturer, author
• Holman S. Melcher, Civil War era officer and politician
• Benjamin Orr, US congressman
• Benjamin Randall, US congressman
• John Rensenbrink, co-founder of the Maine Green Independent Party and the Green Party of the United States
• Carter Smith, film director and fashion photographer

Further reading

• History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine Including Ancient Pejebscot. By George Augustus Wheeler and Henry Warren Wheeler. Published 1878. Full image at books.google.
• Pejepscot Historical Society
• Wright, Virginia M. "The Transformation of Topsham". Down East: The Magazine of Maine (December 2009).

Other websites

• Town of Topsham, Maine