The first Maine settlers came to this region for fish, wood in the forest, and other natural resources. The first settlements were located near the ocean or on a river for transportation and water power. Water power was necessary for fishing, logging, stone cutting, fur trading , and farming.
 In the late 1700’s Portland was the center of trading and shipping. The three strongest rivers for water power in Maine during that time were the Androscoggin, Saco, and Kennebec rivers.
 

 Water power was the only source of power in the  1700’s. The mills would have many different parts to it.  The wheels that went around were called pulley wheels. It took five years to build one water powered mill.
 Lewiston was settled in 1770 along the Androscoggin river. There were 500 people in the town, most of them were farmers. By 1809 the town had a timber dam, a canal, a grist mill, and a textile mill.

                                                By Kelly and Dakota