MINOT — The Minot Historical Society met on July 9 at the Minot Corner Methodist Church for the Minot Corner History Program given by historian James “Mac” McKinley. A picnic lunch, business meeting and walking tour also took place.

Minot Corner Settlement was the oldest on the Little Androscoggin River and the largest by the 1860s. During this period Lewiston and Auburn were too small for the circuses and they would instead set up on “the plains of Minot” at Minot Corner.

Water power from dams ran a grist mill, carriage factory and a much needed saw/lumber mill. Moses Emery Sr. is said to have built the first tavern in town, later known as the J.T. Chandler House. Royal Frank operated the area blacksmith shop. Other businesses in the area included a bark and tannery mill, saddlery and harness shop, carding mill, wood turning shop, boot and shoe shop, cabinet makers, wheel wrights shop, threshing machine factory, flax seed mill, linseed oil factory, a wholesale store and a corn shop.

With the arrival of the railroads, industry migrated to where transportation for its goods was more available.

The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the West Minot Grange Hall with a potluck supper preceding the program, “Wrinkle in Thyme,” by Marty Elkin.

Visitors are welcome.