The River Valley Chamber of Commerce offers information on its website about its member towns which include Andover, Byron, Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Hanover, Mexico, Peru, Roxbury, and Rumford.

ANDOVER: The town was incorporated in 1804 as East Andover, Massachusetts. In 1820, when Maine became a state, the “East” was dropped and the town became Andover, Maine. Andover is located in a valley surrounded by the western mountains of Maine and near the New Hampshire border. It is the home of the Lovejoy Covered Bridge, one of only a few covered bridges located in the state. Recreational facilities include camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting. The local horse club hosts well-attended events for its members and the public. The snowmobile club maintains the trails on ITS 82 of the snowmobile trail network. The area is convenient to several downhill ski areas.

BYRON: The ancient Indian name for Byron was Skillertown. The town was organized on July 6, 1821 as Plantation #8. In 1833 it was voted to become the Town of Byron, named after the poet of the century, Lord Byron. In its early years, Byron was a town of farms scattered among the mountains circling its perimeter. Beginning in the 1850s, timber became the most important industry to the economy. Tracks were laid and the train hauled the timber to the mills. In the early 1900s, growing hops (for making beer) also became important to the economy. Byron is also rich in the history of gold prospecting. Gold was first discovered here in the 1830s. It is found in the Swift River and the East and West branches of the Swift. People today still enjoy the sport of panning for gold and many are successful.

CARTHAGE: The town of Carthage was incorporated on February 20, 1826. Carthage encompasses approximately 20,000 acres with a population of 520. Route 142 is the major route through the town. Webb Lake in the Mt. Blue State Park borders the town of Carthage. You will also find Podunk Pond and Half Moon Pond in this quaint little town. The town has an active historical society and snowmobile club.

DIXFIELD: The town was incorporated in 1803. Dixfield is set in the foothills of the western mountains of Maine located near Mt. Blue State Park, near several lakes and rivers and within minutes of major ski resorts. The area offers hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, canoeing, swimming/camping facilities, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, retail shops, historical society, and a wildlife museum. The town also offers a medical clinic, several churches, and a quality public school system. The Dixfield Moose is one of the many attractions Dixfield has to offer. Bullrock (the moose) is a life-sized carving of a Maine moose from a 150-year-old, white pine log. He was carved by local artist, Ted Walker, using only a chainsaw. www.dixfield.org/.

HANOVER: The town of Hanover is located on U.S. Route 2 next to the Androscoggin River, midway between Rumford and Bethel. Hanover is primarily a residential community. Most of its residents work in the surrounding towns of Rumford, Bethel, and Newry. Hanover citizens take pride in their community and its quality of life. First settled in 1744 by Nathaniel Segar, during the 1800s Hanover was a mill town using water power from the Howard Pond Stream. Howards Gore Plantation joined part of Bethel, north of the Androscoggin River, February 14, 1843. Beautiful mountaintop Howard Pond covers 109 acres and is over 100-feet deep. Trout and Salmon are caught in the spring-fed waters. In Hanover you can find a campground, antique shops,a real estate office, beauty shops, a sign maker, carpenters, and loggers. www.hanoverme.org/.

MEXICO: Mexico is located at the junction of Routes 2 and 17. The location of these two important routes is vital to Mexico’s well being. Route 2 links central Maine to northern New Hampshire and Route 17 connects to the Rangeley Lakes Region. Motorists using both routes frequently stop in Mexico. In the late 1700s, Mexico was part of a larger township known as “Holman Town.” In the early 1800s, the township was divided, and the eastern half was incorporated as the town of Dixfield. Mexico was incorporated in 1818 and named in sympathy for the Mexican struggle to be free from Spanish domination. Throughout most of the 1800s, agriculture and forestry were important economic enterprises in the community. The development of the pulp and paper industry in Rumford at the end of the 19th century had a significant impact on Mexico. www.mexicomaine.net/.

PERU: Located on the banks of the Androscoggin River and home to Worthley Pond, Peru is a nice place to live, work, and play. A community-oriented town, its motto is, “Neighbors helping Neighbors.” The town boasts a population of approximately 1,600. The school enrolls students in grades K-8 with high school students attending either Rumford or Dixfield. Peru has an active volunteer fire department, snowmobile club and Parents/ Teachers/ Friends organization. One can also enjoy hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, or riding snowmobiles across the many miles of trails. www.perumaine.net/.

RUMFORD: The town of Rumford was incorporated on February 21, 1800. The town boasts the “Great Falls,” highest falls east of Niagara Falls, which has always been a focal point of Western Maine. Also, Rumford has an Information Center that overlooks the Penacook Falls and is run by the Chamber of Commerce. The Information Center services tourists and residents with general information about the area and local businesses. Rumford is home to the Black Mountain Ski Area, which has hosted national and world cup events. Rumford features an art gallery in the downtown district called The Pennacook Art Center, named after Rumford’s original name “New Pennacook.” www.rumfordmaine.net/.

Source: River Valley Chamber of Commerce, www.rivervalleychamber.com/.