Lewiston, Maine

Lewiston is the second-largest city in Maine. It is located in south-central Maine, at the falls of the Androscoggin River, across from Auburn, which forms with it the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Area. Lewiston covers 35.2 sq mi (91.1 sq km ) and has a population of 41,600 people (2011 estimate). The Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Area has a total population of 108,000.

The Lewiston area was originally inhabited by Native Americans of the Androscoggin tribe. European settlement of the area began in 1768 when a land grant was given to Moses Little and Jonathan Bagley.

Lewiston, Maine
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cmmccampus.jpg
Author: Jonathan Ouellette


The growth of Lewiston in the mid 19th century was fueled by its location on the Androscoggin River, which was harnessed for its water power. The Androscoggin Falls Dam, Lock and Canal Company was formed, becoming the precursor to the Lewiston Water Power Company.

The construction of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1853 further helped Lewiston develop, providing train services connecting it to the St Lawrence River and Montreal in Canada. The post-war decades have seen a general decline in Lewiston as its textile mills succumbed to competition. Even its flagship department store, B.Peck & Co., closed in 1982 after over a century in business. The 1980's was a difficult period for Lewiston with downtown stagnation and high unemployment.

Dana Chemistry Hall, Bates College, Maine
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Author: Julia


Lewiston put forth an urban renewal plan in 2004 to revitalized its downtown. However it was met with caution by residents affected by the development, and they formed a group to monitor the development process. The revitalization of downtown Lewiston attracted a number of businesses into the area, among them Oxford Networks and Northeast Bank. The city also earned the All-America City Award in 2007, in recognition for the effort undertaken by its residents in working together to meet the community-wide challenges facing them.

Visiting Lewiston, Maine

You can reach Lewiston by taking the Maine Turnpike (Interstate 95) and exiting it at Exit 80.

Places of Interest in Lewiston, Maine

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