Professor details the building of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal.

BETHEL – Dr. Joel Eastman, professor emeritus at the University of Southern Maine, was the featured speaker at the first of the Bethel Historical Society’s 2003 Lecture Series on this year’s theme, “Transportation in Maine History.” His topic was “The Cumberland and Oxford Canal, 1830-1870.”

Using slides of old photos, maps and related text, Eastman began the story of the canal in 1791 with a Massachusetts Legislative study declaring a canal from Portland to Sebago Lake a feasible project. In 1795 a corporation was created to build a canal with a capitalization of $20,000. The 1807 economic depression killed this first attempt at canal-building in Maine, but the success of the Erie Canal (1815-1825) in New York stirred new interest. In 1821 the Maine Legislature chartered the Cumberland and Oxford Canal Corp. at $120,000. In 1823, construction estimated at $130,000 began, but actually cost $206,500, the most expensive project in Maine history at the time.

From the beginning, the canal was plagued by its cost and lack of adequate income. Land was acquired by eminent domain and construction began in 1827 with Irish laborers digging by hand and assisted by oxen completing the canal, 34 feet wide and 4 feet deep to accommodate the flat-bottomed boats, which also boasted sails.

Money problems still threatened the project, so in 1829, the Canal Bank (formed in 1825) loaned the canal corporation $73,000 to complete construction. By 1830 when the canal began operations from Portland to Long Lake in Harrison there were 28 locks and an aqueduct over Little River. The canal never reached Oxford County (Thomas Pond, now Keoka in Waterford), which was originally intended, but costs proved prohibitive.

There were 150 canal boats in operation. The canal did increase land values in the interior, reduced transportation costs and aided economic growth. However, the coming of the railroad sealed the fate of the canal and by the 1850s, it had defaulted on its loans. Its boats continued to operate on Sebago and Long Lakes until 1900. The Cumberland and Oxford’s Songo Lock at Naples was enlarged in 1911 and still operates today.

All elementary students in SAD 44 are invited to participate in the 24th annual Faye Taylor Memorial Art Show at the Bethel Historical Society’s Regional History Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 24. This year’s theme is the arrival of airplanes in the Bethel in the 1920s. All entries must be at the society’s O’Neil Robinson House by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 23, for consideration. Prizes will be awarded in three divisions at three levels. For further information, call the society at 824-2908 or e-mail [email protected]

Also on May 24, the society will hold its annual St. Never’s Day Sale on the porch of the Robinson House beginning at 9 a.m. and extending into the afternoon. Those having useable items (except clothing) that they wish to donate are invited to leave them on the porch anytime. For items that need to be picked up, call the society office. Volunteers are also needed for the sale.