HEBRON — Michael Davis, director of the Bridgton Historical Society recently briefed the Hebron Historical Society on the origins and history of the first highways of the Oxford Hills and Lakes Region.
Davis explained that the first roads were established around 1766, at the end of the French and Indian War, and improved for 2-wheel carts in 1780. From there, competition among drivers developed, and even mail carriers would take passengers, resulting in numerous documented stories along the routes from Portland up through the Oxford Hills. Mail carriers did have reliable schedules, but customers could not always pay as required for mail received. Davis researched numerous old newspaper articles and diaries detailing various encounters between coaches operating the same routes.
The next Society meeting will feature author Robert Spencer and his novel, on how life was lived between 1861 and 1910 in Oxford and Cumberland Counties. This book is part of the Lizzie Millett series, titled Francena Hallett’s Heart. This will be on April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Hebron Town Office, 351 Paris Road. The public is invited.
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